Nickie’s Niches #23: November 2023

Artist Song Time Album Year Tony Romeros Vortex Bali 3:53 Zen 2023 T.A.P. Terminus 5:32 Paradigms 2023 Jano Brindisi Peace Is Really Cool 2:42 2023 Nova Cascade Safe Haven 5:49 The Navigator 2023 Myrkur Devil In The Detail 4:22 Spine 2023 Great North Star Towers Will Fall 3:01 Great North Star II 2023 The Witching Tale They Will Come 4:21 What Magic Is This? 2023 Armchair Gods Hero I 2:40 Vanaprastha 2022 Spurv Krokete, rettskaffen 5:18 Brefjære 2023 The Emerald Dawn Moment in Time Extended Version 4:27 In Time 2023 Seth Himmelhoch Darios Journey 4:26 The Clarity of HIndsight 2023 Maer Poisoned Waters 4:44 Single 2023 Zen by Tony Romero’s Vortex favorite track Bali Now and zen, I do play some music that goes into almost new age territory, which this does. It’s all music designed for relaxation and meditation, and Tony gathered the right friends to bring this to fruition. He plays a variety of keyboards, with Robert Schindler on synthesizer, Steve Bonino on bass, and Peter Matuchniak on guitar. Tossup between One with Meditation and Bali, but went for the bell-like sounds of Bali to represent this release. Paradigms by T.A.P favorite track Terminus This blend of indie prog artists blend their talents into a brew of progressive music, garnished with some twists of psych, ethnic music, and jazz. The usual suspect instruments are here, guitars , bass, and drums, along with keyboards of all stripes and finished off with violin, flute, tamboura, and oud. Primarily instrumental, with some vocal choir effects, this is tasteful, rich, and delicious music to be savoured. Peace Is Really Cool by Jano Brindisi In all of the years I’ve known Jano, she’s shape-shifted from folk singer/songwriter to punk folk, rocker, and now she’s back home to roots and folk. She has such a lovely way with words, usually right to the point, whether it’s a direct dive into an unpleasant situation or a simple love song. Here she brings a timely song of love and peace, using just her voice and guitar, with Ned Doherty on bass, and it is really cool. The Navigator by NOVA CASCADE favorite track Safe Haven Ambient/classical progressive band Nova Cascade returns with a stellar release. It is almost entirely instrumental, although there are a few sung and spoken vocal parts. Various keys,