Steven Halpern - Relaxation Suite 2.0 (2016)

Relaxation Suite is the ultimate in sound healing for stress relief. The music instantly transports you to your own oasis of serenity. From the very first notes, you may notice that you're breathing more deeply. Tension in your neck and shoulders melt away as if by magic. Within moments, you feel relaxed and at peace.

The soulful, soft and warm sounds of David Darling’s cello joins Steven’s grand piano and ethereal electric piano. Their soaring melodies create majestic cathedrals of sound that are sure to become some of your all-time favorites.

Additional tracks add shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and silver flute for a delight-fully varied yet consistent mood you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Steve Halpern is the original new age artist, in the most accurate sense of the term. In 1975 he released Spectrum Suite, his first album of music specifically designed for relaxation and healing. Before that, Halpern had been immersed in the New York City jazz scene as a trumpeter and guitarist. His disgust at the adverse effects of life in the fast lane were accentuated by a move to California, where he perfected his idea of "anti-frantic alternative" music. Based partly on his metaphysical beliefs and partly on more solid scientific research into the effects of sound on the human body, he came to the conclusion that the Western foundation of tension and release in music couldn't by nature provide listeners with relief from stress. He decided the answer was to create music that "didn't go anywhere" in the traditional sense but instead immersed the listener in a positive atmosphere conducive to recuperative and transcendental experiences. Halpern created music that was centered largely around cascades of major-key arpeggios improvised at the electric piano, and he added generous helpings of reverb to create a spacey, other-worldly feeling. He took a certain amount of inspiration from oriental classical music and looked into the ceremonial, magical, and healing aspects of sound used by ancient cultures. While some of his ideas take on the pseudo-science pallor of new-age mysticism, Halpern's importance as one of the true fathers of modern meditational and healing forms of music cannot be overemphasized. He has released over 50 instrumental and guided-meditation recordings, some of which are better than others. He has also written two books on his theories: Tuning the Human Instrument and Sound Health. ~ Linda Kohanov.

Tracklist:

01. Heartnotes 2.0 (feat. David Darling) (5:29)
02. Relaxing in the Present Moment (8:35)
03. Sweet Relaxation 2.0 (feat. David Darling) (4:36)
04. Mindful Piano 2.0 (6:21)
05. At Peace in the Light (feat. Jorge Alfano) (7:27)
06. Mello Cello (feat. David Darling) (6:34)
07. Dharma Duet 2.0 (feat. Georgia Kelly) (3:51)
08. Heartstrings 2.0 (feat. David Darling) (5:23)
09. Ganges Garden (feat. Schawkie Roth) (4:54)
10. Breath of Life (feat. Jorge Alfano) (5:09)
11. Pianissimo (4:33)
12. Peace Be with You (5:19)