Customer Reviews

The Crossing

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My quick review of this great new album:

`Awake' has a very unassuming beginning but finishes with an energetic flourish. `Two Paths' provides a nice rhythm with some faster paced lines seemingly fading in and out of the background that really adds some energy. There is also some fantastic percussion in a track that is really befitting it's name. `The Same Sky' is beautiful, flowing track that makes the perfect soundtrack for watching clouds go by. `The Crossing' has a deep mysterious feel at the beginning and then opens up about half way through with some big percussion and another strong finish. `For the Fallen' begins quietly enough but then builds up to an emotionally strong second half. `The Lesson' offers a very intriguing change in instrumentation and layers that creates an erotic-type of mood, further developed by the guitars that make their entrance early on. This track has a sound unlike most of the others on the album. `To the Ends of the Earth' begins and ends with a very ethereal mood, but in between the rhythm really ramps up, giving the feel of an action movie score cue. The album finishes off with `Lifted' which, not surprisingly, is a very uplifting track with a nice positive vibe. A great way to finish off the album!!

What I really enjoyed about the album is the ramp up of the energy and really strong finishes in many of the tracks. So many other albums seem to want to put you to sleep by slipping from one track to the next, but this one puts you at ease at first, then they bring on the power and the goose bumps. Just like their previous album "Treasure", this is no ordinary new age album. Unfortunately, like many of the albums of this type, the sound samples will not even begin to do it justice. So just pick this one up anyway, you won't be disappointed!

Both David Helpling and Jon Jenkins as solo artists put out truly remarkable, magical albums, the former wiht "Between Green & Blue" and "Sleeping on the Edge of The World", and the latter with the eerie "Flow" and foggy-urbanite "Beyond City Light", all of which are magnificent CDs of their own nature.

Yet came 2007, the two artists brought their magical styles together to create what I considered at the time, and still do, among the best New Age albums of all time, "Treasure" which was totally different from either artists solo albums and yet took me on a journey into a totally different sonic landscape, or should I say deep chasm, of beauty and spirit especially during foggy or rainy nights on the edge of civilization.

Three years later, low and behold, a deeply anticipated follow-up "The Crossing" is released and WOW! I never thought they'd be able to but here, I think they even managed to surpass "Treasure". "The Crossing" I've had for only four months and already, I can sense that this will become perhaps among my top twenty favorite New Age released of all time. The previous CD "Treasure" had a dark, late night, feel of leaving civilization as a whole or as the cover portrayed, going into a deep cave beyond daylight and into the unknown. "The Crossing" on the other hand, has a slightly brighter but at the same time, colder mood altogether. The mountaintop poking through low clouds at sunset perfectly defines the actual mood of "The Crossing": Gray, evening, sunset, wintry, and very cold in feel yet exhibiting beauty of a rare scale.

The opening notes of "Awake" almost sound perfectly identical to the echoing notes of the ending of "The First Goodbye" from the previous album only for it to begin and culminate in an intense and urgent-feeling track.

Some of my favorites are "From The Smallest Seed" which has a haunting and ethereal atmosphere not to mention a marvelous melody and chord structure. Towards the last minute and a half, it culminates into an intense and adventurous track that has very strong elements of Helplings solo material, especially from his second album. Another favorite is "Above All" which has a very ominous atmosphere, very much like flying over a mountainous landscape during winter, at sunset and above the clouds, almost like the album cover. "For The Fallen" is pure beauty with a strange blend of beautiful and ominous in one. The first half of the song reminds me of Jenkins "Flow" era that was released a dozen years before, the second half has more of Helpling's early sound especially from his debut album from the mid 1990s.

Much like the previous album, "The Crossing" is among those albums that does not have a second-half slump but is consistent throughout from start to finish. That consistency is brought to a glorious close with "Lifted" which has a beautiful build up intro and culminating with a haunting blend of rhythm, keyboard arrangement, and even having some rock guitar riffs during the songs climax. Pure aural beauty and a glorious conclusion to "The Crossing".

While not trying to change the subject too much, both Helpling and Jenkins are among my favorite New Age artists and from my perspective, both seem like successors to Patrick O'Hearn, since both seem to share common elements with O'Hearn and their styles have similar feel, at least to my ears. For those who are fans of Patrick O'Hearn or even Mars Lasar, I would absolutely recommend Helping and Jenkins "The Crossing" as the wait for O'Hearns next release after "Glaciation" enters it's fourth year.

From the moment I first heard David Helpling's "Sleeping on the Edge of the World" album I was all in. The music Mr. Helpling creates is very ambient and moving. It is not background or elevator music. It is very deep, complex, layered, and wonderfully produced music that is tops in the genre.

The latest album,"The Crossing", is a wonderful and beautiful album, just as their previous album, "Treasure".

If you are into the ambient, new age type music, these are two of the top artists making some great music with production that compares to none.

This has to be one of the best ambient albums to date. Some of the nicest new age music I've

heard in a while. Every song has real quality. Not just another attempt at instrumental new age music. This stuff is really good. Has the quality of Isham and O'Hearn. Any ambient fan should add this one to their collection.

Just when you thought David Helpling & Jon Jenkins were at their heights with the album 'Treasure', the album 'The Crossing' has surfaced after 2 years of waiting. And what a stunning album it is!. And I always thought 'Treasure' would be unbeatable, boy how wrong could I be. With 'The Crossing' they have pushed their creative musical ideas and inspiration to the next level. The album itself is a highly melodic synth journey, very similar to 'Treasure', only this time there is an ever deeper (and somewhat darker) melodic feel to it. All the tracks are incredibly well structured, and contains some of the most gorgeous sonic soundscapes I have ever heard before. Both the synths and the percussion plays a very important role in this album, with it's melodic themes washing over you on most of the tracks. It is so lush and infectious that you will want to listen to the album on repeat, again...and again!. With tracks such as 'From the Smallest Seed' and 'To the ends of the Earth', these artists have eclipsed themselves. These tracks are a synth feast for your ears and contains the most stunning synth sequencing I have ever heard in my entire life, no doubt about that. It reminds me alot of tracks such as 'This Day Forward' & 'The Frozen Channel' from the album 'Treasure'. Brilliant melodic atmosphere!. Other notable tracks are 'For The Fallen' and 'Not Forgotten'. There's a sense of depth and mystery to them and will surely evoke your deepest inner feelings. Another moody yet melodic piece is 'Two Paths. With this track you will be in for another highly cinematic treat!. It builds very slowly with echoing guitar textures and lush synth work, and has tons of atmosphere to it. It's another melodic soundscape that washes over your ears in a very delicate way. All in all, this album has it all in it's very own and unique (but typical Helpling/Jenkins signature sound) way. It's drenched in elusive textures, guitars, synths, and percussion that forms this ambient masterpiece way beyond words. It will take you on a journey to the ends of the earth...and back!. I can't recommend this album enough, wish I could give it 10 stars instead of 5!. It's another winning epic masterpiece!. Buy it without hesitation, and do it...NOW!!

If you've ever been at the point in your life (and who hasn't -- right?) where you have to make at least one important decision that might affect not only your life but those of the ones you love and care for, then you've likely heard this music in your head. Indulge me for a minute here.

One day you "awake" and realize that you've got at least two paths to consider. Though many have admired your "success", do you stay on your current course even when it may cease to bring you the satisfaction it once did? Or do you recall that little seed of inspiration planted within so long ago, and nurture it to grow into something even greater, whatever that may be? Other brave sojourners have also been at this crossroads, under this same sky, and you are probably in good company, so take a minute and sit back, watch how things form, and consider your options. If you are so emboldened, the first few steps on this -- your untraveled or forgotten road -- will be with some angst. Above all, you must stay true to your direction, for this narrow road is paved with the souls and memories of the fallen, and they must not be forgotten lest in this quiet repose you lose the strength to endure the journey ahead! The one lesson those before you have left is that your resolve must hold, and your strength must not wane. Have you chosen your course wisely? Re-energized, you have prepared to take the task at hand to the ends of the earth itself, because the seed planted so deep within and so long ago will not let you rest.

To inspire others, or to be inspired? You cannot have the first without the last. Find your seed, nurture it. Then find your road, resolute traveler. Only then will you be lifted, to inspire.

Well, that's the story in my head, and I'm stickin' to it. What's yours? Take an hour or so to think about your inspiration at The Crossing; you will be glad you took the journey. And this - The Crossing - is the music in my head.

Helpling and Jenkins have unleashed another majestic and inspiring soundtrack for your journey: Thanks for the kick in the pants, guys, I really needed it.

For sure the stunning artwork of Michal Karcz from Poland will attract each listener even without exploring the sonic part of "The Crossing". But let's hear the music of these two Californians. The album starts right away with "Awake", a track that follows the footsteps of unforgettable precedessors "Treasure" and "Beyond Words: Rare Live Treasures". "Two Paths" and "From The Smallest Seed" get even closer, cinematic ambient at its best with lots of energy and excitement. Ear catching rhythm parts are nicely colored with aerial washes, full of dramatical changes in tempo. Really nice blend of gentle electronics, blanket guitars and always striking percussions, these guys simply know how to produce desired and attractive flavour for each of their works. Hauntingly beautiful and evocative "The Same Sky" and "The Crossing" belong to the highlights on this album. Dreamy and mysterious "Above All", "For The Fallen" and "Not Forgotten" get my votes too for their relieving atmospheres, wonderful and also perfectly fitting the cover artwork concept!!! Smooth and crystalline "The Lesson", "To The Ends Of The Earth" and "Lifted" are another strong pieces too. Summary? Perfectly sculpted and crafted compositions, as always top-notch sound quality, amazing artwork, all this packaged in glossy 6-panel digipak, can we ask for more? A product loaded with art!!!

Richard Gurtler (Bratislava, Slovakia)

Was introduced to these artists and album from T.C's Podcast, Spacemusic.nl and the music is phenomenal.

I only wish they had hired some studio time with a full time professional sound engineer for their post production. There are a few tracks that show this flaw when listened to with Bose Headphones, esp the Track "For the Fallen". Please dont respond saying my headphones must be faulty, as an audio engineer myself, I can assure you; they are not. Sometimes pro level headphones can be a hindrance in this regard. It's also not the frequencies or the waveforms themselves as I generally listen to underground electronic dance music.

I am sure Jenkins and Helping are excellent engineers themselves but I would wager they performed all pre and post production from their home studio,.

Still, phenomenal music.

As other reviewers have noted, this is wonderful, soaring electronic music worthy of your attention. My complaint is the percussion intrudes from time to time and demands that attention. You can't drift off with this one, as you can with so many other ambient works. The crashing drums intrude.

If you meditate, you know there is nothing wrong with music that enfolds you and lets your mind go where it will. The Crossing is not that kind of music. Still it is worthy art and most enjoyable listening.

Man, its been a while since I have heard anything this moving. This album lights up your senses and opens you to a rush of emotions. This is a soundtrack to life, no doubt about it.