Parallel Path

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
The original, instrumental works of keyboardist and composer Harrison Edwards, find their home in the broader New Age genre. His compositions feature lush orchestrations and arrangements, underpinned by strong, rhythmic percussion and bass lines. The sounds of acoustic guitar, grand pianos, flutes, string sections, percussion, and lush, exotic synthesized sounds evoke the imagery inspired by experiences that shaped his musical voice. Visions of snow covered mountains in Antarctica, the peaceful serenity of Skyline Drive, and the panoramic vistas of Acadia National Park are recreated in his artful blend of acoustic and synthesized sounds generated from an array of sound modules and synthesizers.

Harrison started his musical life as a drummer and percussionist, and transitioned to piano and keyboards in his desire to pursue his creative interests through the composition of his own original works. He studied classical piano, was self taught in music theory, arranging techniques, and orchestration, and is always in pursuit of acquiring knowledge that will broaden and improve his skills as a composer. His music features lyrical melodies that continuously evolve over changing harmonies ranging from classical to contemporary. Strong rhythmic percussion and bass lines, rooted in Harrison's background as a drummer and percussionist, provide a solid foundation for his compositions.

“Very few things in my life are as fulfilling as composing an original piece of music. When a pure moment of inspiration strikes, it is like having the energy of the universe flowing through your veins. If you want to know what that feels like, try listening to the fourth and fifth movements of the Celtic Symphony (for string orchestra and six harps) by Granville Bantock.”

If his debut release is any indication, the music of Harrison Edwards has succeeded in conveying what that feels like as well.

Product Description
Arturim Records is a small independent record label whose mission is to provide the finest in original, instrumental music.

Parallel Path,Harrison Edwards,Arturim,Vivid New Age instrumental music featuring grand pianos, flute, strings, percussion, and exotic synth creations.

Parallel Path

Tracks:

In My Dreams
Parallel Universe
My King
Sky High
Phoenix
Now I'm Here
Everything
Sweetest Fruit
Fateful Day
Rise
Evening Prayer

Product Description

Nijole (nee-YOH-luh) writes sensual melodic songs with mystical landscapes, exotic twists, and lyrics to uplift and inspire. Accompanying her delicate lead vocals, she performs layers of Lithuanian background vocals, hinting of the choirs she grew up with in Chicago. The production of Fritz Heede features gifted players on ethnic percussion, stringed instruments, flutes, violins, as well as classical cello, electric guitars and synthesizers. Overall, Parallel Universe is a powerful journey for the heart and soul.

Customer Reviews:

Parallel Universe~Nijole Sparkis.......2005-12-22

I just love this CD....I'm in a sad place now and it smoothed me and made me feel better.I'm telling all my friends about this CD.

Touched Me On All Levels.......2005-12-11

What I love about this CD is that it is great on all levels. The music and production are fabulous, with exotic instrumentation. The vocals are beautiful, they have great tone and depth and the words are meaningful. The notes and melodies are interesting to listen to. Overall the whole CD is passionate and uplifting.

Fabulously Woven Styles.......2005-12-04

What a beautiful, dreamy, exotic, album!
I think I've been waiting a long time to hear this music!
I knew I was going to like it from the first amazing guitar riff
- a cross between Chris Isaac and something Middle Eastern like what Jimmy Page would come up with, set against a backdrop of poignant silence. And then you hear Nijole's voice almost whispering -- You rarely hear a voice so soothing and sensuous, but so expressive - her voice is audibly painting a picture with its subtle shades of emotional expression -- and then the music suddenly sweeps up and out into a lavish chorus of siren
song! And then she transports you to some ancient ancestral place when she suddenly goes Lithuanian on ya...! Good stuff... sent shivers down my back. And the girl's got a range, too - check out the unbelievably high notes in "Rise" - I couldn't tell if it was the flute until I heard it playing alongside her vocal,
except much LOWER!

So I thought, of course the first song is good, the second song is good... but I'm sure all the weak songs are going to be towards the end. Not so!! Every song is wonderful.
Each song is different from each the other - one more pop, one more ethnic, one almost jazzy and the last one is almost classical, though this one is the most unique to me - truly Nijole found a completely unique voice in "Evening Prayer".
But somehow no matter how different each song is from the other, the whole album is held together with Nijole's own unique style. She is continuing the Peter Gabriel tradition -- writing pop songs with a different vocabulary, borrowing from exotic influences but still unmistakably pop (or "art pop", as some like to call it). Great melodies that stick with you -- I'm constantly singing a different song in my head. And the words are speaking to our emotional experiences, as well as offering a positive philosophy. She has a unique insight into our psychology...perhaps into her own soul?

And certainly Nijole has found an equally worthy partner in Fritz Heede who did the production -- very lush, very exotic, walking the fine line between ethereal, airy and otherworldly on the one hand, until he brings you crashing down to earth with some wild guitar riff or pulsing ethnic percussion, carving out a style all his own. Each song is like a dramatic piece with a perfectly meshed musical score underlying the meaning - each like a little movie... The musicians on the album are all
very top-notch - always fresh, always creative, nothing clichéd in any of the musical prases or arrangements, which is certainly welcome in today's musical
environment! All in all, I can't help loving this album,
I really look forward to my drive now, knowing that it's going to be really special

Nijole sparkles!.......2005-11-19

Sparkis' cd is a rare combination of original material using contemporary musical references as well as folk sources. Sparkis combines her diverse influences and sources seamlessly. Highly recommended!

A Parallel Frequency of Sound.......2005-11-17

... At your reach...
Nijole's voice and Lyrics defy category, they send us on a musical ride yet unparalleled! It's a virtual cave where the ethnic meets the electric, where time-space line fades... where all is yet forming before it materializes in the Universe on a Time and Space line. Find out for yourself.