Customer Reviews

Radiant Sky

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What I love most about Scott August's music is that he's true to himself. Each note is masterfully played, oozing with emotion and brimming with feeling. This is Scott's 5th CD and each installment has been a natural progression; evolving in breadth, scope and execution.

Native American flute music is hard to find -- and great music, flute or otherwise, is even more scarce. But what sets Scott apart from the rest is that he's just a great all around musician.

I discovered Scott August years ago while listening to a Hearts of Space compilation of Native flute music -- and Scott's melodies soared like a great eagle, high above the rest; creating an instant love affair between me and his music. The connection was so strong, I bought all of his CDs and still listen to all of them regularly. I am continually amazed by his melodic lines -- he elicits such strong visual imagery with his notes and many of his arrangements are nothing short of brilliant.

Scott's music isn't hokey New Age stuff or overly esoteric -- it just "is." I suspect this might be a problem for Scott, since it makes him hard to classify. I don't think there's a section in the music store that quite fits his unique brand. He has an authentic Native sound, yet has pushed the envelope to create something all his own. It's what sets him apart from the rest, and may also be what keeps him from penetrating the market and becoming a breakout artist. But it's only a matter of time -- you can't keep something this good a secret for long.

With each new album, I'm continually impressed with Scott's ability to stay true to himself and play his style of music his way. I'm so very pleased to see Scott hasn't diluted his sound or pushed himself toward inauthentic directions that don't fit his style.

Radiant Sky is another natural expression of Scott August's artistry and the latest chapter in his melodic story. All Scott's music, including Radiant Sky, are perfect to relax to, unwind, to help find inspiration, or to play at work and push back the stress. This new album has songs that are reminiscent of tracks on other albums, yet also soars in its own right toward new directions and inspired mastery. Santa Fe is a standout, as are Since The Stars Fell, Rising from the Plateau, Journey of Solace, A Pale Radiance -- oh, who am I kidding -- I love them ALL!

If you've never heard Scott August's music before, you simply don't know what you're missing. Don't believe me? How about this: I play Scott's music at work all the time, and there isn't a day that goes by when someone stops and says "What is that wonderful music? That's amazing! Who is that?!" It's a drop in the bucket, but I know I've helped Scott sell dozens of CDs -- or, more accurately -- I just spin the CD and Scott's music sells itself.

Here's a brief rundown of his other CDs:

DISTANT SPIRITS -- Emergence starts the CD and gives me chills every time. It sets the tone for yet another acoustic journey -- Desert Light, Coyote Dance, Solitude, Distant Thunder -- and all the rest, just take me away.

NEW FIRE - perhaps Scott's most commercially accessible CD -- Mockingbird Canyon, Turquoise Twilight and the title track, New Fire -- WOW! Who am I kidding -- again, I could list every track as a standout!

LOST CANYONS -- gentle, soulful, inspiring -- I totally love it!

SACRED DREAMS -- simple, exquisite, mesmerizing. I love the mix of nature sounds with Scott's harmony. What a talent!

Do yourself a favor -- buy one of Scott's CDs. You won't regret it. I've written over 80 reviews thus far, and Scott's music comes with my highest of recommendations. Buy Radiant Sky, or any of his other CDs, and treat yourself to a audible journey like no other.

Thank you for the gift of your music, Scott. Thank you for not selling out and trying to be something you're not. Your music nourishes me heart and soul. Keep staying true to yourself. Keep making great music your way, because your harmony and musical instincts are a rare and special gem.

I just have one question for you, Scott -- how long until the next CD??

My best to you, Scott August.
In harmony.....

Scott August has done it again! Prepare to be transported to a place that exists in the deepest reaches of your soul. Put this CD on and close your eyes to see what exists in dreams and visions of the sky and beautiful landscapes as the ancients observed them. Scott proves time and time again that he is a composer who shows the world that he has few equals in his genre. He takes his mastery of flutes, piano, world instruments and percussion and puts them all together into a sound and style uniquely Scott's.

You know an artist's music is something special when it is near impossible to pick a favorite song on their album. Radiant Sky runs the gamut from contemplative to soaring, fun and toe-tapping as on `Santa Fe', and the first haunting bars of `A Pale Radiance' will send shivers down your spine and form goosebumps on your skin. Scott's music is stunning, sexy, fun, and simply beautiful.

Scott August continually redefines himself and his music and never pigeonholes his work into one category. You never know what you are going to hear when you listen to Scott, except that it is going to be another feast for the ears... and the heart.

Award-winning musician Scott August, best known for his skill and talent in playing the Native American wood flute, presents Radiant Sky, a beautifully relaxing album promoting contemplation and reverence of the sacred spirit within us all. Traditional flutes combined with gentle pianos, soft guitar playing, and a medley of exotic instruments crafting delicate harmony make for a wondrous experience. The perfect choice for listening to while meditating, or simply unwinding after a long day, Radiant Sky is highly recommended, particularly to fans of new age music. The tracks are "Calling the Sun" (3:33), "New Horizons" (6:25), "Arc of Dreams" (6:41), "River of Stars" (7:37), "Santa Fe" (6:34), "Since the Stars Fell" (4:11), "Rising from the Plateau" (3:36), "Journey of Solace" (6:52), "A Pale Radiance" (8:09), and "Searching Beyond" (5:31).

On Radiant Sky, ten new tracks feature an assortment of indigenous flutes (including Anasazi and Mojave), pianos, electric and acoustic guitars, and world instruments such as oud, charango, tabla, udu, kalimba, gamelan, zampoña, and darbuka. All of these elements are mixed with August's signature "textures" to generate the uniquely relaxing sound for which August is known.

Very enjoyable indeed.

Radiant Sky is an ambient masterpiece and confirms Scott August as a master of world music. The compositions suggest an awakening of consciousness, a sonic vision quest tethered to the sacred sites of the southwest.

Arc of Dreams/River of Stars, Since the Stars Fell/Rising from the Plateau, and Journey of Solace/A Pale Radiance couple into dancing duets of transcendent divine madness. The sublime transition between tracks 6 and 7 is goose-bump inducing glorious and Rising from the Plateau is one of the most inspiring and uplifting pieces of ambient music ever recorded. A Pale Radiance is an achingly beautiful tribute to the work of Brian Eno.

The coda track Searching Beyond is a fitting summing up to this superb work, an acknowledgement of the artist's roots in and mastery of the Native American flute, as well as a prelude to more panoramic ambient-inspired Scott August signature recordings hopefully to come.

Radiant Sky provides an open window for total immersion into "the mystery" and is without a doubt one of the highlight world recordings of 2010. Put this music into your body and blow your mind.

SCOTT AUGUST
RADIANT SKY

Scott August is a multi-instrumentalist acclaimed for both his Native American wood-flute playing and his textured recordings. Inspired by the stargazing of ancient cultures, he has created a stunning new instrumental album, RADIANT SKY.

August -- who has won a Native American Music Award, a ZMR Lifestyle Music Award and an Indian Summer Music Award -- has four previous best-selling and highly-charting albums. Here he not only performs on numerous different indigenous flutes, he also plays piano, guitars, electronic-keyboards and a wide variety of ethnic world-music percussion which gives his music a tribal-techno or ethnic-fusion sound.

There is celestial, mystical music on this album, and it will take you on a trip through the heavens, a journey back to the ancient American Indian tribes and along an inner pathway as well.

Radiant Sky is one of those rare albums that defy classification and categorization that can follow you throughout your day. It is as at home as the meditative background to my morning yoga practice as it is to my dinner parties with friends. Especially one of those parties where we just sit around enjoying each other's company and laughter while watching the red-gold of the sunset give way to the fireflies and the twinkling stars in the evening sky. Radiant Sky is also a faithful companion whether driving through the open country of the Mojave Desert or driving around the city. Radiant Sky takes you to all these places and more--where will it take you?

Radiant Sky did not disappoint me. It's very good. The track called "Santa Fe" is probably my favorite. Scott August is truly amazing.