Have you ever heard the theory that you are influenced by your surroundings and habitat? If there was ever clear evidence to support that theory then look no further than the solo piano recording of David Hicken’s Goddess. Recorded at David’s studio on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, with a 24 bit state of the art technology, the production and compositions are simply breathtaking despite the simplistic quietude.

Born in England, David moved Stateside at the tender age of seventeen to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Featured in several symphony orchestras as well as a teaching piano for almost 20 years, David finally decided it was his time and has released a trilogy of albums the first being the gorgeous Goddess. A very light blend of classical touches deeply entrenched in meditative, melodic and mainstream New Age chimes, Hicken’s compositions have an instant appeal. Needless to say, comparisons with Kevin Kern and George Skaroulis are unavoidable but he is more than a mere copycat.

The album pays tribute to the divine female idols of the unseen world and with it comes an unadorned and exotically naked performance that is beautiful and vulnerable. The gentle power of a woman can be felt throughout his performances from the beginning to the end starting with rich the touch of “Lakshmi” to the gentle fire of “Pele”. While it is sometimes difficult to differentiate one song from another, the result is a very cohesive project that is rich in meditative qualities. In contrast there is the more regal sway of “Isis” and “Pele”, without distracting from the cohesive pastoral theme of the album.

David does it all from performing to composing to production which is crystal clear. Self promoted, the labels truly missed out on this talented up and coming artist. If the divine music of Goddess is any indication of what to expect from his trilogy, then one can only anticipate that Ishtar the Goddess of love and war will be watching the labels kicking themselves not once, not twice, but thrice.