Album Review of
Speak to the Sky

Written by Robert Silverstein
September 26, 2020 - 3:39pm EDT
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Following the 2018 CD release of Alive Inside The Tank, New Age maestro James Marienthal is back on top in 2020 with his latest solo adventure called Speak To The Sky, with James supported by Arwen Ek (vocals) and Tom Wasinger (Lap Steel and 12-string guitar).  The master-builder of the legendary Silver Wave Records label, around since the 1980’s, James excels on Speak To The Sky, an album that serves as a fine showcase for James performing his Native American flutes, bamboo flute, free-note xylophone, piano and rattles. As James writes in his Speak To The Sky liner notes, his goal is to immerse the listener in an aura of peacefulness and deep, natural relaxation. More than just a New Age meets World Music instrumental music experience, Speak To The Sky is a journey inward that serves as a kind of musical therapy that eviscerates the harshness of an era steeped in fear and division. By uniting the listener with the magic of his mystical, flute-based instrumental music, James invites you to slow down the madness and join him through the glory of nature. The album is somewhat different from Alive Inside The Tank, as it also features a stunning piano piece, performed by James called “Silence Seen”, a track that serves to introduce another side of James and that is well worth listening to. Silver Wave Records have been releasing outstanding instrumental New Age music for decades and the 2020 CD release of Speak To The Sky is among the label’s great sonic achievements. New Age fans don’t miss this latest magical mystery trip by Native American flute maestro James Marienthal.