Greetings all. Every year for the last 8 years I have given away a free CD of my music to long suffering friends on my little Isle. Production quality and software (Vocaloid) vocals have made these CDs somewhat forgettable! This year I have managed to find a local singer, Rose Millard, who has a lovely voice and who sings five of the tracks on this CD called "Elemental". The CD has also been professionally mastered. OK, Soundcloud audio streaming doesn't do the tracks any favours (!) but this year for the first time I thought I would post the tracks on the net and share the CD with you. All the tracks are free to download. A mix of Folk and New Age, I have posted some of the tracks here on this Forum over the last year but not all. I hope you enjoy and as always, I would very much value your comments on the music and production.
 
https://soundcloud.com/elementalcd
(lyrics are on the individual track pages)
 
(for some odd reason, this link doesn't work for me but other people tell me it works OK - weird!)
 

Rose has a really nice voice and does a nice job on the vocals for you. Vocals do help bring songs full circle, although I like instrumentals, some of your songs could be instrumental as well as vocal. I liked your songs and thanks for offering the free downloads. Nice instrumentation and textures, vocals and a nice mix.
 
Peace and Blessings, John

Hi John
 
Sincere thanks. Rose really does add a whole new dimension to the songs (much to the chagrin of Miriam!). She put so much work into preparing for the recording session and I was very lucky indeed to find her. As for instrumentals, like you, they are my preference. In many ways I find them easier to write and certainly they don't give me sleepless nights trying to come up with lyrics!
 
Peace and Blessings
Malcolm
 
 

Hi Malcolm, so pleased you found a singer to compliment your work. Rose sounds really good against your classy soundscapes. Excellent!

Malcolm,
Thanks so much. I am at work, and I have a rare quiet hour (after a software upgrade - I am waiting for some crisis to rear its ugly head) so I listened to everything. To enhance this experience,  I have been wading through images from the Isle of Wight.
http://www.isleofwightpictures.co.uk/page008.htm
Enjoyed it all. My favorite was A Blessing followed closely by Sweet River (which I heard with the synth girls). A real voice adds so much - good choice - congrats to Rose for bringing these tunes to life.
I really feel drawn to these Celtic type chords/melodies (maybe I am wrong about the origins) - I am not exactly sure why - could be some connection from generations back (both my parents are  from northern coastline of Spain).
The percussive pieces are nice as well. I find it very relaxing on what is normally an angst filled frenetic day here. I love the violin (?) on Where Ocean Meets The Sky.
Thanks again for providing a bright spot in my day!

Wow, Rose's voice is just perfect for your music, and she does an absolutely amazing job.  Beautiful work, both of you!

Hi James - Sincere thanks. Rose is such a lovely lady and it shines through in her singing. The odd thing is that within the week after I was put in touch with Rose, I had three emails from ladies all wanting to sing for me! I was never that popular when I was young! Shucks!
 
Hi Manny - Sincere thanks. I must admit the songs you picked out are also my favourites. Rose really did make them have meaning far beyond the words and music. As for Celtic, you are I am sure right. In many ways unintentional, although my ancestors are Scots and Irish, it is just the music I hear in my head - not surprising really. Love the photos of the Isle - haven't seen those before. If you look at the photos on the link, my little house is just to the right of the photo marked Freshwater in Winter. On a quiet night (nothing happens in Freshwater after 8pm!), I can hear the sea. Lovely.
 
Hi Walt - Sincere thanks. Very much agree about Rose - a perfect voice for my music and a lovely person. Now all I have to do is persuade her to sing for me again next year - begging doesn't come naturally to me but I think I had better learn!

Nice piece of work Malcolmb! You make good music my friend!

Hi Clint - Sincere thanks. So pleased you like this CD and also for the follow on Soundcloud. Very much appreciated.