Release is the eleventh CD in a series for “chakra balance, relaxation, help in sleeping, and vibrational attunement of mind, body, and spirit.” The music was composed and performed by Dyan Garris, who is clairvoyant, clairaudient, and clairsentient as well as a counselor and musician. She has written several books about angels, manifestation, and even a cookbook; she has designed a series of “angel cards,” and does psychic readings by phone and email. This is one busy gal! Several of Garris’ previous CDs have included guided meditations, but Release is almost all instrumental with only a few spoken words in the last two tracks. There are wordless vocals by Amber Norgaard and Michelle Maliniak appears on two tracks on trumpet; nature sounds are added here and there. Garris’ music is meant to help bring the positive effects of meditation to all by following the one simple instruction to “just listen.” Whether or not you are into meditation, Release is classic new age music with its floating ambience, ethereal voices, and freeform structure. Whether melodic or ambient, the sounds of piano, strings, guitar, bells, flute, voice, and trumpet are woven together to create a dreamy, soothing balm for the mind and body.

The CD begins with “Home,” a warm invitation to leave your cares behind for a while. “Detach” is guitar, angelic voices, piano, and a wash of sound that creates the feeling of wide-open space. The title track could be the closing theme for a very gentle movie that has a quiet, happy ending. The trumpet can often be a jarring instrument, but on this track it is soothing and very mellow. “Dragonfly” is light, carefree, and very graceful - one of my favorites. “Integrate” is one of the more ambient tracks - very open and spatial. “Shadow” has a cinematic quality - open, dreamy, and a little bit melancholy. I like this one a lot, too. “Sleep” is a poignant little lullaby with the sound of running water and a gentle female voice that repeats, “Go to sleep, you can rest.” Works for me! zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Release is a very soothing and relaxing CD. To learn more about the CD and Dyan Garris, visit voiceoftheangels.com and dyangarris.com. The CD is also available from cdbaby.com and amazon.com.