CD Reviews
Read reviews of PMA member music. Search for your favorite style of music by narrowing your search by category.
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“Not Alone” by David Serotkin
Reviewed by Rosemarie Ashley
“Not Alone“ is a refreshing breeze of soft rock and pop music that appeals to a growing audience, consciously selecting music as a tool for improvement. The songs are relevant to every day people, encouraging and motivating with thoughtful lyrics. The album makes exceptional use of song order to guide the listener on a journey of life, learning, hardship and celebration. “Not Alone“ presents a variety of styles, including a light instrumental, beautiful piano ballads, tender pop and cheery rock songs; capturing interest and heightening listening experience.
David Serotkin is a talented musician, writing most of the songs, performing lead and background vocals and playing many instruments including guitar, piano and percussion. His harmonies are compelling; his vocal range impressive. David sings with an underlying passion for his message and delivers and engaging selection of entertainment, suitable for any Adult-Contemporary format.
The spirit within this singer delightfully unfolds in various tempos, tones and moods; focused on introspective contemplation, laced with laughter and light-hearted expression. Most notably, “The Cat Came Back“ is a parable with thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud ad lib humor, immediately followed by “Glowing Moon“ an intense mood-changer that drew this reviewer to an ad lib background vocal sing-along. The album winds down with “Yesterday It Was Over“, a feel-good song addressing life-issues, closing with a motivational piano ballad.
Buy the music: www.davidserotkin.com/store.php
“The Celtic Rose” by Marita Brake
Reviewed by Rosemarie Ashley
“The Celtic Rose” is a collection of original Celtic folk songs, presented with a blend of traditional and modern musical instruments, produced with state-of-the-art equipment. The listener is transported back in time by a variety of lyrical wording and melody styles, common many centuries ago; perfect for Renaissance enthusiasts and history lovers. The album cover and packaging draw the listener into a journey of deep introspection and wonder. This unique and original album is artistically courageous and thought-provoking, with phrases and metaphors not common in most commercial music.
Beginning with a welcoming instrumental on the first track, the album includes a variety of styles, most notably, a beautiful, heartfelt a cappella song. Marita Brake is a talented singer, characteristic of a classically trained artist. Her tender but strong tone is soothing to the soul, with a mystical appeal. The album is filled with seamless, emotion-packed delivery of technically advanced vocal maneuvers.
Production of “The Celtic Rose“ is well above professional grade. The various instruments are mixed in perfect balance to highlight the vocal arrangements, in a dance of musical perfection. The musicians are obviously skillful in their respective crafts. Beyond that, they deliver a sound quality generally achieved through a harmonious synergy of talent and friendship between members.
Buy the music: www.maritabrake.net/music.html
“Fearless” by Claudia Carawan
Reviewed by Rosemarie Ashley
Claudia is a very talented singer with a dynamic delivery of a powerful message. She is versatile, spunky and treads the secular market to open the hearts and minds of those who would not otherwise be receptive to spiritual messages. Claudia does a fantastic job expressing her own brand of divine creativity.
The album “Fearless“ is upbeat, contemporary collection of pick-you-up music, reminding the listener of universal truths sometimes forgotten or ignored in times of trouble. The album flows smoothly, song to song, encourage peaceful relaxation and reflection. Her voice is effective in many styles with a strong vocal range. The album includes rich background vocals, guest singers and a choir, perfect for almost any spiritual gathering.
“Fearless“ is a professionally produced album with a variety of instruments, mixed and mastered smoothly with the vocals. The artist is professionally skilled, in perfect key, and has the ability to communicate emotion with technical precision. Vocals are delivered with confidence and are 99 percent flawless.
Buy the music: www.claudiacarawan.com
“Songs for Humanity” by Cahill & Delene
Reviewed by Rosemarie Ashley
“Songs for Humanity” is a well-written, performed and produced album of songs for introspection, reflection and celebration of life in a variety of musical styles including Adult Alternative, Pop Rock, Country Rock, Smooth Jazz, Gospel with a little Funk & Reggae. The album is a journey of hopes, fears, dreams, memories and right-action, focused on creating a better world, beginning within the self.
Barry Cahill and Delene St. Clair are both exceptional singers, supported by instrumental and production excellence. Their voices are smooth, clear and engaging. This team blends male and female energies seamlessly, focused on a single objective communicating peaceful love energy to the world. Their harmonies merge in perfection to create hair-raising vibrations, touching the spirit and penetrating the soul of the listener.
This collection of “Songs for Humanity” is likely to find a home in many venues, from church choirs to bar room dance floors. Some of the music is upbeat, fun and engaging while other songs possess a mystical quality, reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s, drawing the listener in to experience cosmic enlightenment. The lyrics include spiritual truths, applicable to virtually any religious worship, without preaching dogma. Themes include friendship, race relations, personal growth, empowered involvement, romantic love, social consciousness, devotional praise and affirmative thinking, appropriate for any audience.
Buy the music: www.cahillanddelene.com/products.html