The Healing Powers of 40 Hz, Vol. 5: Global Piano For Focus and Memory is the fifth in a series of albums based on medical research in 40 Hz sound. The nine pieces were composed by Yuval Ron and performed by Grammy-winning pianist Ruslan Sirota as well as a group of international musicians playing a variety of instruments that were all tuned to 40 Hz (the equivalent of A=427, compared to the usual contemporary standard of A=440). Studies have shown that 40 Hz promotes healing and helps to clear disease-inducing plaque in the brain's memory pathways. It may also improve blood flow in the brain and connectivity in the neural pathways, resulting in pain reduction, better sleep, recovery from trauma, and improved memory. The music is also intended for relaxation, self-healing and calming the nervous system. Quoting the liner notes of the album:

"The music tracks also include Binaural Beats, which induce an independent vibration of 40 Hz inside the brain of the listener, in addition to the 40 Hz vibrations heard and felt from the music. To receive the benefit of the Binaural Beats vibrations, the music must be listened to via headphones."

Unfortunately, I don't have any headphones, so I haven't been able to try that aspect of the music for myself. I have definitely noticed a calming effect with repeated listenings of the album for review, though, and find myself looking out at the trees outside my office windows rather than typing!

In addition to Ruslan Sirota on piano, the artists on the album are Pandit Nayan Ghosh (sitar), Matin Eshaghi (tar), Radha Prasad (bansuri), Charlie Adelphia (flute), Stephen Day (sarod), Suhail Yusuf Khan (sarangi), Fariba Eshaghi (santoor), Yuval Ron (oud) and Verginie Alimian (kanun). Each track is between 5-5 1/2 minutes.

The album begins with "Blessed Healing Waters," a piece that includes the sounds of gently flowing water, crickets and birds as well as the ambient music that immediately takes your mind to a more peaceful place. "Mystery of Unconscious Mind" is even more ambient with occasional nature sounds along with the very peaceful and spontaneous piano's response to the other instruments. As the title suggests, "River of Bliss" offers a warm, cozy blanket of sound to wrap yourself in - a 5-minute escape to a place of peace and enchantment. The piano really sparkles on "Seeking the Inner Mysteries" while the other instruments are somewhat darker, continuing to focus inward. "Inner Light in a Dark Cave" is my favorite track. Very slow and ambient, it brings dark and mysterious images to mind, but they don't feel dangerous or threatening, inviting the listener to go even deeper. The very warm and inviting "Call of Divine Love" takes us to a place of love and healing. "Blissful Contemplation" feels very much like a sunny daydream - perhaps sitting by a stream or in a meadow of wildflowers. Although its title isn't exactly enchanting, "Moving Through Stagnant Energy" seems to encourage letting burdensome things go and moving forward with a refreshed and optimistic attitude. The album comes to a peaceful close with "Courage of a Leaf in the Wind," leaving the listener refreshed and relaxed.

The Healing Powers of 40 Hz, Vol. 5: Global Piano For Focus and Memory is available to download and stream from MettaMindfulnessMusic.com, Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes as well as from streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. This is music for a purpose as well as for listening pleasure!