Reviews - Celestial Touch

"Ray (Leonard) is now four-for-four! His fourth release, Celestial Touch, is yet another sterling example of his ability to seamlessly merge superb electronic new age with spacemusic and ambient soundscapes. I don’t know any other artist who is able to craft music that so deftly combines the best of these three genres with such satisfying and cohesive results. Warm but never sappy, floating but always with a purpose, ethereal but never “lost in the ozone,” Leonard’s music unfolds patiently, inviting the listener to embrace and be embraced by layer upon layer of lush strings, twinkling tones, soothing melodies and slow but steady rhythms. Each release from this artist continues to impress me with both his engineering and production standards (which are at or near the top of these genres) and his talent for composing music that is heartfelt, serene, and yet more varied than many other artists who work in similar veins. Also, as she did on his previous release, new age music pioneer Suzanne Doucet lends her considerable talents both directly and indirectly to this superb recording. These two have a deep understanding of complementing each other musically and it shows.

Celestial Touch contains twelve tracks, ranging in duration from three and half to six and a half minutes. The title song offers spacemusic washes that speak of the vastness and beauty of outer space. It harkens back to classics of the genre from Braheny, Demby and Stearns, when spacemusic conveyed a sense of cosmic grandeur. “Love is to Share” opens with Liquid Mind-like strings wedded to plucked guitar, anchored by a subtle slow tempo rhythm. The artist’s obvious romantic intention of this cut come through loud and clear but not mushy at all. “Timeless Memories” reminds me of the golden age of electronic new age music. Again, gentle unforced rhythms play a part, this time measured against flowing synthesizers and a repeating series of notes that climb and descend the scale.

It’s not difficult to connect Celestial Touch to spacemusic what with song titles like “Spaceship Earth,” “Star Waltz,” and “Inner Stellar,” and fans of that genre should enjoy those tracks, as well as others, provided they don’t mind music that uses more major than minor notes/chords and which illuminates a positive glow (don’t expect much in the way of melancholy or somberness here, although some songs contain moments that are more reflective and introspective). “Floating Stars” is a good example of the latter, since it does have some minor tonalities, as well as making excellent use of retro EM textures which gives the deep space slow cruiser a pleasantly nostalgic sound. Leaving space behind for a brief moment, Leonard introduces tribal elements for the first time with subtle droning didgeridoo on “Ritual,” set off against more retro keyboards ebbing and flowing intermixed with gently percussive rattles. “Star Waltz” may remind you of Wendy Carlos, circa her Tron soundtrack era (owing to the lead keyboard sound) which plays the main refrain over a bed of lush strings and a soft pulsing rhythm. The soothing washes of keyboards that comprise the closing ”Completion” are like wave after wave of soothing warmth gently gliding over your body, but the track also evokes the same sense of wonderment.

Seldom do I make statements like the following, but in this case, it’s warranted. Ray Leonard is almost criminally ignored and under-appreciated by spacemusic and new age music fans. I’m used to ambient music lovers ignoring my recommendations, since the genre is so fractured and subdivided. However, spacemusic fans have only a handful of artists to currently extol, so I’m mystified that Ray’s recordings are so casually ignored. Wake up, people! This guy is the real deal and it’s high time you clued yourselves in to the fact. Celestial Touch is both an updating of the genre and also a homage to the very best of ages past. Whether you consider yourself a fan of electronic new age or spacemusic, this CD comes highly recommended."
—Reviewed by Bill Bnkelman

"You will never drift as high, nor travels as far as you thought you could without this music. Three-time Emmy Award winner Ray (Ray Leonard) produces his electronic space music and New Age blended themes with mediation, healing and metaphysical practices in mind. All eleven cuts on his latest album Celestial Touch are as gentle as a baby’s smile and more uplifting than an Atlas rocket.

Being a minister’s son, Ray Leonard was exposed to spiritual music at an early age. Becoming part of the choir and learning music was a natural path for him. The discovery of the synthesizer and knowing how strongly music affects people is what caused him to release four astounding albums of spiritually oriented electronica which includes Healing Space, Ascend to Love, Ethereal Journey and his latest offering Celestial Touch.

As a sound engineer RAY has garnered several top honors for sound mixing on eleven motion pictures such as Back to the Future and many animated films such as Disney’s Aladdin. Like many of us, becoming a parent well, shall we say, rocked his world. Nothing changes your life like the responsibility of another’s life and future. Like his role as a parent, his music is nurturing, honest and full of hope.

"Celestial Touch," the title tune, is like a cleansing breath for your spirit. The music is perfect for floating, drifting, and gliding on gossamer wings. It is somewhat like a soothing sustained chord, but the tone is inviting. This is perfect for meditation and introspection.

"Love is to Share" is a bit more complex and emotional. A warm, quavering theme and a gentle electronic guitar take you by the hand as you walk among the stars. You become a part of something greater than yourself as suns twinkle in the distance and planets are like stepping stones on your heavenly journey.

One of my favorites on the album is "Spaceship Earth." My great love of the planet and my ongoing curiosity about space and what it holds for earth is finally put to music. A swirling unforgettable theme with glittering background elements bring to mind the recent adventures of Space Shuttle Discovery's courageous crew members and the awesome view they had of the home planet.

Using booming bass notes in the beginning, the track called "Star Waltz" segues into a flowing river of stardust with rippling reflections of light. The music is transparent at times allowing free thought and spontaneous contemplation. Your mind becomes a piece of ethereal flotsam that is carried by the waves of sound until you find you have circumnavigated the galaxy. It may be one of the best tracks on this album.

Another new found favorite is called "Gentle Embrace." With a quivering electronic clarinet kind of sound and continuous strings RAY creates an emotional experience of touching without actually touching on the physical plane. It sounds, no it feels as if the participant has donned a multi-colored robe of emotion and revels in the warmth and plushness of the sensation.

Probably one of the most ambitious tracks on Celestial Touch is "Inner Stellar." Like a rotating golden ring that is spun on a table top, the musical energy is cast off and radiates in all directions at once. The soft pulses travel gently into your neural system. I can understand why this is called healing music.

Ray’s stellar traveling music is right for a voyage into a new world, a visit to the quiet places in your own mind or an intrepid journey into places unknown. Whether you are trying to renew your spirit or find a personal peace, this music will aid in the process."
—Reviewed by RJ Lannan on 8/23/2005 for NewAgeReporter.com

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