Quiescence: A World At Peace is the Real Music debut by Amberfern, a composer of meditative healing music who lives and works in the heart of England’s New Forest National Park. A professional musician since 1978, Amberfern plays and composes for a wide variety of instruments including guitars, bass, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, drums, percussion, ethnic flutes, hang drums, and a growing collection of unusual and evocative world instruments. Nature sounds and human voices are also a part of the mix, giving Amberfern a rich musical palette of many, many colors. The composer explains: “The music is always intended to function as aural dream-texts and visions of possible worlds with which to bridge time and geographical location, trigger distant memories or connections and become a healing tonic for the soul.” The eleven original tracks reflect an eclectic blend of cultures, moods, and experiences, creating a bit more than an hour of relaxing, dreamy music to escape to whenever a little respite is desired.

Quiescence begins with “Misty Harbor,” a soft and gentle keyboard/synth piece. It drifts slowly on tranquil water, feeling very much like a comfortable, peaceful dream. “Magharibi” picks up the tempo with a catchy rhythm, flowing melody line, and the sound of crickets. I really like this one! “Undercurrents” is much more ambient and hypnotic, with the sounds of splashing and flowing water running through it. “Lights on Water” is darkly mysterious with flutes, drums, voices, and atmospheric sounds drawing you in. “Flowers In the Air” is very ambient and weightless. Keyboard sounds suggest vast open space, blending with ethereal voices, piano, and a silky-smooth sax(?) sound - a combination that mesmerizes. “Bedouin Sunrise” is an exotic bit of musical enchantment, as is “Dharmasala.” “Ayuba Aye” transports us to Africa for chanting voices and a gently-swaying instrumental background that comes to the foreground when the voices stop. “Art of Serenity” begins with a gong and choral voices, followed by very spare keyboard sounds. As the piece evolves, it becomes “bigger,” but always stays very slow and peaceful.

Amberfern’s is a very interesting new musical voice from the Real Music label. Quiescence is available from Real Music, Amazon, and iTunes. Check it out!