Special Spaces - Notes From Clingstone is the debut by keyboardist David Leclerc. The music was improvised at the mouth of the Narragansett Bay off Newport, RI, considered one of the most magnificent power spots in the world. Clingstone is also known as “The House on the Rocks” and is surrounded by water. Leclerc, an inter-media artist, sets musical mediation lines that evoke resolve and balance, incorporating the natural sounds of the ocean environment; gongs and singing bowls can also be heard in this music. Leclerc states, “I consider myself part Shaman/Medicine Man, Mystic Scientist, Creativity Scholar, and Possibilities Explorer. All my work is an intriguing adventure into art’s imaginative soul.... My process of creation is a physical, spiritual, and intuitive one.... My compositions are meditations and natural flowing improvisational sound environments used to relax the bodymind and to communicate balance and resolve.” The music itself has a slowly flowing quality that would be very helpful for relaxation, meditation, or an non-intrusive backdrop for any number of quiet activities. Each of the seven pieces on the album is fairly lengthy (6.5-10 minutes), allowing plenty of time for the improvisations to evolve and for the listener to become transported by them.

All of the pieces on Special Spaces have a similar keyboard voice, and all are very slow and smooth, allowing the listener plenty of room for quiet thought, or no thought at all. The CD begins with “Clear Sunrise,” a gentle keyboard creation that includes the sounds of singing bowls and conveys the mystical beauty of a sunrise over the water. “Crystal Symphony” floats on air, free and unstructured, with the sound of seagulls in the background. “Flotsam” peacefully drifts from place to place, surrendering completely to the will of the tranquil waves. “Epic Night Calls” seems to reflect the stillness of nightfall, as the ocean waves calm and colors become more muted - very relaxing! The title of “Rains North Winds” sounds like it could become more turbulent, but this one is also very calming and peaceful.

Special Spaces is available from Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes. If you are looking for music for healing and/or meditation, check it out.