A survey of new or notable sounds, from the Stones’ first studio album in ten years to an experimental collection of tracks recorded at 432hz.

Music Releases

Compiled by Robyn Perry

Music Editor, Music Reporter at Large, and Host of the SRA’s Ritual Arts Radio

To listen to Ritual Arts Radio and read more of Robyn’s picks and music musings and insights, visit her Ritual Arts Radio here: http://societyforritualarts.com/ritual-arts-radio/

Blue & Lonesome by The Rolling Stones

Released December 2, 2016

Polydor Records

The Stones’ first studio album in over a decade!!!

The album was produced by Don Was and The Glimmer Twins and was recorded over the course of just three days in December last year at British Grove Studios in West London, just a stone’s throw from Richmond and Eel Pie Island where the Stones started out as a young blues band playing pubs and clubs. Their approach to the album was that it should be spontaneous and played live in the studio without overdubs. The band – Mick Jagger (vocals & harp), Keith Richards (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ronnie Wood (guitar) were joined by their long-time touring sidemen Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (keyboards), and Matt Clifford (keyboards) and, for two of the twelve tracks, by old friend Eric Clapton, who happened to be in the next studio making his own album.

Blue & Lonesome sees the Rolling Stones tipping their hats to their early days as a blues band when they played the music of Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Eddie Taylor, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf – artists whose songs are featured on this album.

“This album is manifest testament to the purity of their love for making music, and the blues is, for the Stones, the fountainhead of everything they do.” — Don Was, Co-Producer of Blue & Lonesome – rollingstones.com

Dear Santa 

Lucky Records

 Purchase Dear Santa either on iTunes or at CDBaby.

From the Album Notes:

Jamie Glaser has played with the greatest of the greats in almost every genre of music. You’ve heard his guitar with

Jean Luc Ponty, Jon Anderson (AndersonPonty Band), Manhattan Transfer, Lenny White and Chick Corea and more in the jazz world and Brian Adams and a list too long in the pop and rock world. Jamie’s guitar is what you hear when you watch Seinfeld, Married With Children, Who’s The Boss …the list goes on and on

Dance Thrive Shimmer (a Moving Meditation Mixtape)  

Released November 18, 2016

“A collection of dancer’s favorites, created by Sooj in honor of the Waking Persephone festival and community. Released in honor of all those who need a reason to dance – for healing, for fun, for the heck of it, on the inside or the outside, whether or not you can do so physically. This is for you.” – music.sjtucker.com

Get a move on and purchase the mixtape here.

Snow Moon by S.J. Tucker

Released February 22, 2016

The Snow Moon is back for another year! S. J. released this new tune in 2016, written during her year-long commitment to write one new song from a prompt each week, in honor of February’s full moon- sometimes known as the Snow Moon. In honor of 2017’s lovely Snow Moon, this version of the song will be available again for one lunar cycle, only on bandcamp. At midnight on March 10, by the light of the next full moon, it will disappear.

Purchase this album before it disappears at Bandcamp!

Runaljod – Ragnarok   

Released October 21, 2016 

“Warduna is a musical project based on Nordic spiritualism and the runes of the Elder Futhark. Started by Einar “Kvitrafn” Selvik in 2003, along with Gaahl and Lindy Fay Hella. Einar Selvik, co-composer of “Vikings”, brings you a more diverse and deeper look into the Runaljod trilogy with “Ragnarok”.” – aisamerch.com

Purchase it in its many forms at Wardruna’s shop here.

Dream Sung True  

Released January 31, 2017

 “25 Chants And Songs For Rituals And Devotional Ceremonies. This Album Is A Fundraiser For  The New Alexandrian Library: www.newalexandrianlibrary.com

Sung By Members And Friends Of The Assembly Of The Sacred Wheel, And Recorded At Seelie Court.

Enchanted Music For All

The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel’s chant albums were created with the intention that the chants be simple, powerful, and easily performed by individuals and ritual groups. They are mostly a cappella with some percussion and an occasional instrument to ease their use in covens, circles, groves, etc. Most of the chants do not require a wide singing range and the harmonies, while pretty, are not necessary.

All three chant albums were recorded in single long weekend intensives at Seelie Court using our trusty Mac computers and impromptu home studio set-ups. The singers and musicians varied as they came and went depending upon their schedules. Most of the chants were completed in 3 takes with only a handful requiring 4 takes. Many of the singers had sung together in their covens, but for any given chant it was a mixture of people who had sung together and some who had not. The result of these circumstances is that the chants sound real, spontaneous, and filled with the energy that abounds in good rituals.” – sacredwheel.org

Purchase it on CDBaby here!

Happy Road 

“This new project is something I have wanted to do since 1978 when I learned to meditate. The album contains all music recorded at 432hz instead of normal 440. The 432 frequency according to theories was changed to 440 by the Nazis in the war to create anxiety and chaos. 432 cycles is thought to be a multiple of the vibration of our planet and therefore is much more soothing, and aligned to our existence. Happy Road has Isochronic tones, 5 music tracks and a 15 minute guided meditation. I wanted to help others to find joy, happiness, peace and serenity with this album.

“Please go to http://www.happyroadz.com and download the album or get the CD which ships on January 18th. Let me know if you would like the CD personalized and autographed, it will be my pleasure.

“Make sure to download the FREE ebook and subscribe at the bottom of the Happy Roadz webpage please for more specials.

“The Jean Luc Ponty tour is now a reality and I am so very excited about that. The band will be the ATLANTIC YEARS band with Wally Minko on keyboard, Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion,  Baron Browne on bass, yours truly on guitars. We are all really excited about this US tour and while we couldn’t get everywhere in the 4 weeks we could all commit to this tour, I hope to see many of you in May and June.”

Home 

Edge of Wonder Records 

This sublime new release continues Jennifer Berezan’s signature mix of emotionally rich poetic songs, original guitar work, warm production, a collection of esteemed musical friends and themes that touch on “home as everywhere” …California, Beijing, the Yukon Canada, and the internal realms of the heart.

Get the whole album or purchase song-by-song on her website here!

Older Releases

(We found them and now we love them!)

The Dance Goes On 

Released March 2013 

Editor’s Choice – available for review.

Around the year in fifteen songs!

Our second album The Dance Goes On celebrates the turning year and its customs, along with some mediæval favourites. There are contemporary songs here as well as ones from the English and Welsh traditions, and even Irish and mediæval French.

From midwinter, through the greening of the land and the long days of summer to the time of hops and bonfires, the songs take you back to Yule feasting (with a difference) and another whirl round the circle…

The album’s received airplay on BBC Radio from Colum Sands, Frank Hennessy, Genevieve Tudor, and Johnny Coppin as well as on Sesiwn Fach, Folkcast, Druidcast, Wyldwood Radio and Folk Radio UK. You can listen to some tracks via the links on the right, and read the reviews in full on our Reviews page.  – rowengulston.co.uk

Purchase it on Bandcamp!

At Peace With One’s Ghost 

Released December 1, 2014 

Find it on Bandcamp here!

Transience 

Released March 28, 2014

AM.mu Records

On their website here.

Holdrejtek 

Released 2014

Prophecy Productions

 A journey to the depth of soul, in search of a long-lost unity and the eternal link between Man and Nature. An album dedicated to the unseen, yet all-permeating forces that slumber in the arborescent depths, deep inside the growing seeds and blooming burgeons.

Festivals- A Short Guide

Tickets for Hexenfest: https://www.hexenfest.net/tickets/

San Jose Fantasy Faire: http://www.sjfantasy.com/

San Jose Renaissance Faire: https://www.sanjosefaire.com/

Northern California Renaissance Faire: http://www.norcalrenfaire.com/