Reviews - Ethereal Journey

"If your tastes run in the direction of space and ambient music, Ethereal Journey is a very satisfying recording to listen to. Although this is his first foray into this type of music, RAY has worked as a recording engineer for television, film and records, earning him three Emmy Awards and four platinum albums. This background provided him with the expertise to create finely wrought compositions. All he needed next was the inspiration to fire up his engines, which he found upon the birth of his son. Apparently, this opened up a whole new way to see the world and as we drift through the etheric realms he envelops us in, we too get to experience the phantoms of "Space Rainbow," "Whale's Lullaby," "Twilight Rain" and the "Angel of the Dawn." A great album for deep relaxation and inner voyages that also makes a great background while you are focusing on your work. Listening to this album produces a light feeling and a sense of clam that has a warmer emotional tone than many other space or ambient records." —DL, New Age Voice, August 2001

"Composed and performed by Ray Leonard, a three-time Emmy-winning sound engineer, Ethereal Journey combines the long, sonorous tones characteristic of ambient music and angelic melodies and heavenly choirs. Conjuring images of the sacred in every note, Leonard has created a superb album for massage, meditation, or simply end-of-the-day relaxation. He intends Ethereal Journey to be a multi-dimensional experience, both atmospheric and uplifting. The sustained synthesizer chords are deeply peaceful, while gentle melodies keep us floating along on our journey of relaxation and renewal. By the time the closing "Angel of the Dawn" fades away, listeners are left grounded yet refreshed, ready for whatever may come. For a magical experience of wonder and delight, plug in to Ethereal Journey." —New Age Retailer, September 2001

"I've never done this before, but because I agree with just about everything I read in Ray's CD booklet and the promo sheet that came with it, I'm going to quote for almost the entire review. Why paraphrase? There are many reasons to take this journey. The music can contribute to numerous personal experiences including meditation, love-making, healing...Ethereal Journey takes the listener on a musical trip through the universe using gently, melodic space music. Ray's main musical influences are Tangerine Dream, Patrick O'Heam, Liquid Mind, Jonn Serrie... Ray, who composes all his own music, is inspired by nature sounds and scenery, reading, meditation, his son, personal events in his life and the thrill of experimenting in the recording studio. All the music on Ethereal Journey was created by Ray on synthesizers. Ray's engineering skills brought him a Gold Record Award for a recording with Dio; Gold and Platinum Awards for albums with Stevie Nicks and the Pointer Sisters; and a Double Platinum Award for his work on a Ratt project. "With my music, I don't care if someone puts on headphones, closes their eyes and imagines space, or they put the album on at low volume in the background at a dinner party so they can talk over it. There are many ways to utilize the music. Ethereal Journey is the result of my dream to create music with a new edge by blending it with the ambience of nature and hypnotic sound effects." The album is available at select stores and by going to the website. 10 tracks of relaxing, winding instrumentals. Get it." —The Muse's Muse, August 2001

"Ambient music has a long and interesting history. In recent times it has spawned such forms as dance, trace and new age. Personally, I always liked the early forms of experimental ambient music. It created moods, scenes in the mind's eye and transported us to other worlds and dimensions. One of the more exciting forms of this ambient exploration was and is space music. Space music has an amazing exhilarating sound that relaxes the body and mind and allows us to float free. Ethereal Journey is a great example of ambient space music refined and lifted to the level of an art form. It has a beautiful flowing texture that gently lifts, carries and transports the listener. Its space sound mixes a dream-like quality with both natural and hypnotic sound effects. The result is quite multi-dimensional and really evokes a deep and profound sense of journeying beyond the physical. Whether you simply need to relax after a long day, want to get away from it all or just need some "Time out," here is a journey which can be easily taken with little preparation. Just put in the CD and venture..." —Living Traditions, September 2001

"When a rocker grows up and goes into the joys of middle class serenity, making an introspective album that fuses new age trappings with the rest of his varied interests...that isn't a bad thing. After his rock band Shadow ran its course, RAY made due as an engineer of high quality and kept his dreams in place. The set of melodic ambient music has an honest that leaps out of the speakers and firmly lodges itself in the open eared adults looking to zone out, but not go too far. Having kept his chops up, he makes a great statement." —Midwest Record Recap, August 2001

"Ray's engineering and production skills shine on this finely crafted ambient album. A most enjoyable listen." —Chuck Wild, Liquid Mind

"Listening to Ethereal Journey presents an interesting duality while evoking the feeling of exploring new places. It also makes one feel perfectly at home." —Beth Ann Learch, Warner Music Group

"It's a great piece." —Bob Duncan, WFAS

"I couldn't believe the listener response." —Victor Venckus, WZB

"Every cut is a strong cut." —Eric Cohen, WAER

"What a great CD." —Jim Schmidt, KFRF

"I am loving it!" —Shepard Samuels, WTUL

"Love playing it." —Walt Gander, WXPR

"It's a gem!" —Chad Yost, WELY

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