CD: Autumn Sky
Artist: Blackmore’s Night
Contact: www.blackmoresnight.com
If the name Blackmore rings a bell, you may recognize it as the surname of Ritchie Blackmore who created one of the most recognizable riffs in rock history: “Smoke On The Water” and ascended the stairway to heaven of guitar stardom in Deep Purple and later in Rainbow over a career spanning three decades. The other half of the Blackmore’s Night name belongs to award-winning songwriter and vocalist Candice Night, an incredible talent in her own right. View full article »
TV broadcast: The Oprah Winfrey Show finale – 5/25/11
After 25 years – a remarkable achievement in the television industry, and 4561 shows, of which she has never missed a single one, the stage lights dimmed for the final time on the massively successful and influential The Oprah Winfrey Show. Although I can’t say that I’ve been a loyal fan of the show or that I’ve watched it regularly, I can say that I have tremendous respect and admiration for Oprah and her efforts over this past quarter of a century to shine a light on meaningful issues such as personal growth, spirituality, health and healing, social injustice, and so much more. View full article »
In an exclusive sneak peek, Music and Media Focus is pleased to present an advance review of the soon to be released new CD by Constance Demby. Tune into her website in the near future for details of the album launch.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a new release from Grammy-nominated, award winning recording artist Constance Demby, whose name has been at the forefront of distinguished new age artists for decades. Classically trained and performing since the age of 12, she has toured the world and played at major festivals and conferences sharing the same stage as the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Joseph Campbell, and many others including Dr. Jean Houston, who referred to Constance as “one of the world’s greatest living musicians.”
If anyone has ever helped to create and define a musical genre it is Steven Halpern. In my thirty years as a professional new age music reviewer I have probably heard every album he has released. One thing I always like about checking out his latest album is that I never know exactly what to expect. View full article »
Having recently reviewed the incredible CD by AOMUSIC entitled “And Love Rages On” I was excited to read the book “Drops and Sparks” as it was written by one of the principle members of AOMUSIC, Richard Gannaway. The book is intimately connected with the music in that it began as a journal to focus the message of AOMUSIC and contains insights that inspire the vision behind the music. For a greater understanding of this symbiotic relationship, I highly recommend reading the review of the CD here on Music And Media Focus. View full article »
“Weaving Worlds” is a harmonic convergence of the first magnitude. Lisa and Aryeh reprise the collaboration that began with their first CD together, “Two Worlds One” and adds the masterful flute work of Lisa’s long-time musical friend George Tortorelli. Listening to this music is like getting into a time machine and going back to when life was much simpler and music was “unplugged”… played on instruments handcrafted of wood and wire. View full article »
I can imagine the look of surprise and joy on Keith Driskill’s face at the tender age of ten, when he came home to find the gift of his first guitar waiting for him after “hounding poor ol’ dad to death” for it. Although he was sure that his parent’s expectations were that his fascination with the instrument would be short lived, now so many years later, with four sons of his own, he is still playing with passion and dedication. View full article »
It’s a long way from Australia to Vermont – about 10,000 miles to be more precise, but the journey was worth it for pianist/composer Fiona Joy Hawkins to have her album recorded and produced by the legendary Windham Hill Records founder Will Ackerman. As it turned out, the experience was equally rewarding for him as well. View full article »
With a title like “The Atlantean Legacy” it’s easy to conjure up an image of a large time-worn leather bound manuscript with yellowed parchment pages, yet in reality, this book couldn’t be more 21st century. I received my copy on a CD-ROM disc that I read on my computer, and it is also available as an on-line download for your Kindle or other e-book reader. It came as part of a multi-media package that also contained a separate CD of music inspired by the book. View full article »
CD: A Moment Between Eternities
Artist: Louis Colaiannia
Contact: www.louismusic.com
Having previously spent a number of memorable years in the “Mile High City” of Denver, Colorado, where Louis Colaiannia hails from, I can attest to incredible inspiration available from living with the snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks always on the horizon. Perhaps there is something in living at that altitude with its awe-inspiring vistas, but there is a majestic quality to Louis’ piano playing that seems to reflect his surroundings. View full article »
CD: Throughout the Autumn Light
Artist: Robert Linton
Contact: www.robertlinton.com
Falling softly like leaves from a tree, the first gentle notes glide effortlessly from Robert Linton’s guitar creating an ambience that is perfectly described in the title of his latest CD. This atmosphere continues throughout the album and is captured in song names like “Glistening after the Mist”, “Shifting to the Fall”, “Seasons of Years Past”, and “Evening Sunset.” View full article »
“Daydream” is the latest release from solo pianist Michele de Wilton following in the wake of her intriguing and imaginative “Myths & Legends” CD. The title of that previous album goes a long way in explaining the inspiration behind her compositions. As a musical storyteller, Michele has always felt drawn to classical literature, poetry, and especially the magical world of traditional mythology. View full article »
Having recently reviewed Michael Dulin’s outstanding current release ”Timeless ll, I was interested to go back and listen to the album of his which preceded that – “Follow The River.” While there are some similarities, there are also essential differences. View full article »
With so many people engaged in a sometimes life-long search for that which defines them, showcases their abilities, or gives meaning to their existence, it is a blessing to realize at a very early age that one has a particular calling. This allows them time to nurture that talent as they grow, so that by maturity, they are ready to blossom in their chosen field. Such a fortunate one is Michael Dulin, who in his earliest years found his resonance in music. As time went on, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, and later furthered his musical studies at the prestigious Julliard School in New York. View full article »
Artist: AOMUSIC
CD: …and Love Rages On!
Contact: www.AOMUSIC.COM
In any album review, the music is the obvious focal point. However in the case of AOMUSIC, while the sound is clearly the focus, there is so much to share about the unique creative process and the intention behind it, that a review would be incomplete without shining a light on those aspects as well. Serving as a brief introduction or gateway, the word “AO” [e’i-o] comes from the ancient Polynesian language and means “pure light” or “all colors.” This second meaning is particularly descriptive as the music is a virtual rainbow of sound and soul.
Maybe it’s the rarified air of the higher elevations, but there’s something about the magic of the mountains that seems to inspire the vision of artists and musicians alike. So it is with gifted pianist Kathryn Kaye, whose roots are in the Appalachians and her branches are in the Colorado Rockies where she currently lives and draws deep inspiration from. View full article »
If you are seeking Sanctuary, you’ve come to the right place. Sherry Finzer is a multi-talented musician and recording artist, who breathes life into a variety of flutes including the modern C flute, the alto flute, and the Native American flute. She not only does studio recording, but also performs in a wide variety of musical contexts including solo, duo, trio, and larger ensembles ranging from classical…to new age, world, jazz, and pop music. In addition, she runs her own music label, Heart Dance Records, which is an appropriate name given how much heart energy comes through in her music. View full article »
I am a San Francisco Bay area music producer, recording artist, and journalist with over 30 years experience writing arts and media reviews for nationally published magazines and more recently world-wide on the internet. I’ve been the music editor for the Los Angeles-based Awareness Magazine for the past 7 years as well as a free lance journalist/ publicist, and editor of Music and Media Focus.
As a music industry professional, I currently belong to The Recording Academy and am a voting member of The GRAMMY’S.
NEW – AVAILABLE NOW at Amazon and iTunes!
AMBIENT ALCHEMY– Steven Halpern & Michael Diamond with special guestMichael Manring.
Reached #2 on the ZMR Top 100 chart for international radio airplay.
Nominee in the ZMR Awards for “Best Electronic Album” and “Best Ambient Album.”
Nominee in the Independent Music Awards for “Best Ambient Album.”
As a recording artist I have 5 CD’s of ambient music with elements of electronic, jazz, and rock. My previous release, “Indigo Moon“, features a guest appearance by Jefferson Starship and Rod Stewart keyboardist, Pete Sears. Also appearing as a special guest is new age music pioneer Steven Halpen, whose record label distributes this album, as well as my first release, “Atlantis Rising,” which was named by CD Baby as “one of the best new releases of the year“.
Along with studio recording and producing projects for other artists, I perform doing electronic music and multi-media shows in addition to playing synthesizers and electric guitar in SF Bay area bands.
I also produce music videos, such as the ones for Ambient Alchemy below, as well as creating soundtracks for video, guided imagery, etc.
New: AMBIENT ALCHEMY MUSIC VIDEO:
Featuring excerpts from 4 songs with visionary art images:
(Be sure to watch video in “full screen” mode for best effect)
New: CELESTIAL SUITE – from Ambient Alchemy album
(this track has been submitted for GRAMMY consideration)
(Be sure to watch video in “full screen” mode for best effect)
For more music videos on this site, visit:
Chill out with the enchanted sights and sounds of Michael’s visionary art music videos.
Click here.
(For a cool “double feature” – take a fantasy journey to otherworldly alien landscapes with Indigo Moon, then come back to earth with a visit to Merlin’s Garden which features original music and nature photography filmed in the San Francisco Bay area)
Since 1975 with the release of “Inter-dimensional Music Through Iasos” this Greek-born visionary musician and sound sculptor has been one of the acknowledged pioneers of the new age music genre. His compositions have inspired countless listeners, and have been used by NASA and the Laserium laser light show. In the last seven years he has devoted himself to developing the skills as a video producer that he began with his “Crystal Vista” in 1980 – one of the first new age videos. This brand new release is an evolutionary step for this talented multi-media artist. View full article »
Like the festive wine and fruit drink the album takes its name from, the music on Mariah Parker’s “Sangria” is, indeed, an intoxicating melange of diverse sonic ingredients. The album’s subtitle: “An Indo Latin Jazz Musical Experience” further hints at the heady fusion contained within. View full article »
From the first wistful notes, and throughout the album to its graceful conclusion, a word that repeatedly came to mind was “evocative.” Imagery and emotions awakened within as Evan’s spirited piano melodies unfolded. Although that’s hardly surprising coming from an artist whose website bears the quotation: “music is a bridge from the heart to the soul.” Hearing his compositions, one gets the impression that Evan’s bridge is well traveled. View full article »
CD: “GAIA”
Artist: Michael Brant DeMaria
Label: Ontos Music
Contact: www.ontos.org
In these days of downloading individual tracks and buying single songs on iTunes, it is refreshing to see an album that has thematic continuity and a story to tell from one song to the next. The term “concept album” comes to mind. And the theme of this CD is as expansive as the Earth itself. In ancient days of Greece, Gaia was the Goddess of the Earth. In modern times the term often refers to the concept of The Gaia Hypothesis, which views the Earth as a living being, rather than just a lump of rock that we happen to exist on. According to Michael Brant DeMaria, the songs on this CD are his “tone poems and sound prayers offered in the spirit of waking up and acting for the good of our children’s children, children during this time of ecological crisis and transition” as well as honoring our common heritage as dwellers on this precious planet. View full article »
Welcome to MUSIC and MEDIA FOCUS:
Official launch date 1/1/11
Updates: As of 1/1/16, this site has had over 80,000 views from more than 100 countries.
A big congratulations to the recording artists I did feature articles, promotional writing, and music video production for who were final nominees for the 2015 GRAMMY's: Peter Kater, Ron Korb, Wouter Kellerman, and winner in the new age category, Paul Avgerinos!
Also, congratulations to CARLOS SANTANA, a Kennedy Center Honoree. My feature article about him and his music was published in Awareness Magazine, as well as on this site. Click this link to read: http://michaeldiamondmusic.com/2012/06/07/shape-shifter-by-santana/
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I’m excited to present my own forum to shine a spotlight on some wonderful and inspiring new CD’s, video, books, etc. A site where I could provide promotional resources and give exposure to a greater number of talented artists. (See Writing Services on the link below for more details.)
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy what you read here. And please click on the “My CD's" and "Magic Theatre" page links below to check out some of my own music, video, and links.
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"When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
our world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix
If the name Blackmore rings a bell, you may recognize it as the surname of Ritchie Blackmore who created one of the most recognizable riffs in rock history: “Smoke On The Water” and ascended the stairway to heaven of guitar stardom in Deep Purple and later in Rainbow over a career spanning three decades. The other half of the Blackmore’s Night name belongs to award-winning songwriter and vocalist Candice Night, an incredible talent in her own right. View full article »
As a recording artist I have 
Along with studio recording and producing projects for other artists, I perform doing electronic music and 
multi-media shows in addition to playing synthesizers and electric guitar in SF Bay area bands.
Music and Media Focus 