“Hearing Visions” by Orchestra Indigo (Rick Randlett)
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
What if our visionary meditative states had sound? “Hearing Visions” by Orchestra Indigo is a collection of 13 ethereal and otherworldly pieces, that invites listeners to surrender to the soft ambient sounds and let their imaginations run wild as visions become reality.
Richard Randlett, a.k.a. Orchestra Indigo, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Keene State College, where he studied composition with well- regarded composer Hubert C. Bird. Rick also did graduate work in theory and composition at the University of Massachusetts.
For the past twenty years Rick has taught music privately and performed and recorded as a Blues Rock artist. So far, he has released five CDs of all original songs, and his relaxing music is popular in the New Age genre.
Rick’s larger scale compositions tend to be minimalistic neo-impressionist works that are always designed to evoke emotions. Most of all, they are ultra-relaxing, easily transporting listeners away from the stresses of daily life to “other realms.”
The album opens with the lovely “Emergence.” Piano based and straightforward, soft synth strings guide us gently along into what surely will be a journey of serenity and inner contemplation.
Following is the title track which takes us even deeper into the peaceful ambiance with its calming atmospheric elements. Gently expanding, soft synth strings and a pleasant piano melody line transport us to a whole other place.
Some highlights: Chimera #1 is an interesting piece. A Chimera, simply put, is a fusion of two different sets of DNA in one organism. Lightly droning synth lies underneath minimalistic piano resulting in a very tranquil song. This is a relatively brief composition at just under two minutes, but quite enjoyable all through.
The beautiful “Through The Portal” is an equally captivating piece that transports listeners to a realm beyond this place. It is a sonic journey that invites the listener to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery, exploration, and transcendence.
Succinctly put, an Eidolon is a ghostly figure. The piece, “Eidolon” is deep and mysterious with engaging otherworldly elements to it. One thing to know about every composition on this album is that they are all wonderfully relaxing, perhaps speaking to a part of the soul that we don’t often contemplate. These all bring about an effortless sense of peace and calm.
The sensation of euphoria includes intense feelings of pleasure, well-being, and happiness. The song here, “Euphoria” effectively elicits those emotions, yet not with an over-the-top, jump for joy kind of feeling. With its great synth pads and piano, this is soft, gentle, flowing, and uplifting in every way.
The album closes out with “Culmination,” which seems quite appropriate. Perhaps it is regarding a life well-lived or perhaps simply a grouping of contemplative visions which have come alive through sound. And maybe that’s life. Very nicely done.
Releasing 1/31/2025, you can pre-save the album here: https://li.sten.to/Hearing_Visions-Orchestra_Indigo
Official artist website: https://www.orchestraindigo.com
