“Into The Light” by Kimberly Haynes
Album Review by New Age CDs and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Seven years in the making, Kimberly Haynes’ new album “Into The Light” is an orchestral, cinematic collection of eight songs which move gracefully through an elegant, cohesive musical arc from start to finish. Here, the journey takes us through a gamut of emotions, beginning with anticipatory grief, devotion, loss, transcendence, and then through the hard, beautiful work of continuing to live when the life you once knew has completely disappeared. “Into The Light” reaches far beyond genre classification into something more emotionally universal and deeply human.
In the not too distant past, Kimberly lost her husband and life as she knew it transformed into something else. Here, on the album, every song is a prayer and a beautiful tribute to love and life. As Kimberly says, “It is not a grief record. It is a record of what happens when you learn to carry grief — and life requires you to keep moving forward.”
Although Haynes has previously been associated with the New Age and world music genres, the album defies genres altogether. The compositions weave together Hebrew prayer, Sanskrit mantra, Celtic folk melody, and Spanish lullaby into a coherent voyage through love, loss, and what remains.
The album opens with the serenely gorgeous “Grant Us Peace.” This is so beautiful, it may give you chills. Kimberly’s vocals are stellar here and mandolin, piano, synthesizer, bass, plus arrangement by David Vito Gregoli add ethereal texture to the soundscape. Lovely crystal bowls by Jeralyn Glass and gentle percussion and drums by MB Gordy make this truly spectacular and a perfect opening to the album.
Now, if I have this right, one of the most beautiful and fundamental teachings of the Baal Shem Tov (the founder of the Chassidic movement), is that every thought, feeling, and experience, no matter how it may appear, contains some degree of divine light. And through this awareness, we can then come to a compassionate understanding that everything is connected to Source. Therefore, anyone, anywhere, in any circumstance, can access and experience a spark of the Divine. “Narrow Bridge,” with its outstanding instrumentation, including the always remarkable horns of Jeff Oster, and gorgeous choir, is truly amazing. I have to stop right here and tell you that this is only the 2nd song on the album, and one feels already blown away by its phenomenal beauty and authenticity. And in my opinion, Kimberly’s voice has never sounded better.
One of the most touching tracks on the album, “I Am My Prayer,” features Kimberly’s late husband’s voice in the form of a “voice mail” message. This is just so beautiful in every single way, as one of the first things we miss deeply when our loved one departs is their voice. This is another song on the album that will give you chills.
At this point, you need to know you should get the whole album, not just one track, as the album is heartfelt, healing, and extraordinarily uplifting. The cello and string arrangement by Hans Christian and keyboard by Darby Orr on this track are exquisite as are the lyrics, and of course, Kimberly’s voice. ”In this final hour, when I’ve come to pray, and to say, it’s been all that I’ve dreamed of… and our story will live forevermore. . .”
The title track is soaringly cinematic and is the ultimate goodbye as we release our loved one ”Into the Light.” This is the letting go that everyone who has lost someone needed to have and couldn’t seem to find the words for. You just have to hear this one.
Many people are familiar with this song ”The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Here, the meaning is that after the release in the previous track, now the ”lion” sleeps. It’s that strange, surreal morning after quiet of a world that keeps moving even when your person has gone. But there is some joy in that release. This is really special with stellar instrumentation (David Vito Gregoli and djembe by Prem Vidu) and background vocals by Joshua and Adam Haynes, who if I had to guess, I would say are Kimberly and Brian’s sons. Very sweet, this whole track.
I was thrilled to find ”The Enchantment” here, which was released previously as a single and also won two New Age Notes Radio Music Awards. This is a truly enchanting ancient folk melody about a mysterious beloved who leads a young woman over a mountain to a mysterious place beyond the human eye. The song is woven with Sita Ram — the divine names – and represents grief as archetype. Stunningly beautiful.
“I am not my body, I am not my mind. All that you can see of me will vanish in the end.” This is the deep metaphysical message of “Moola Mantra.” Percussion by MB Gordy and bansuri by Manose Singh add rich layers and texture to this truly captivating song. A lovely chant in every way.
This deeply spiritual album closes with a tender Mexican folk song/lullaby that has been sung at celebrations across generations. The meaning here is that life continues. And the beauty of life continues. The world is still here and so are you. “Cielito Lindo” typically translates as a term of endearment, “sweetheart,” “darling, etc. The message is: “Sing, don’t cry.” It’s the sweetest goodbye to the best album I’ve heard this year.
Get it here: https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/kimberlyhaynes_intothelight
Official artist website: https://www.kimberlyhaynesmusic.com
