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Music is often my transport to the alpha and theta brain waves of meditation and nothing can take me there more sweetly and smoothly than Joseph Akins "Masterpeace." |
"Masterpeace is a melodic massage for the mind! Therapeutic for both massage therapist and recipient." |
"YOU my friend are simply amazing! If you're not the next Jim Brickman, I don't know who is!!! I listen to your CD daily and love, love, love it. Thank you so much for all you are and all you're doing to make this world a better, more peaceful and melodic place to be."Lori Daniel-Falk - Contemporary Mystic |
Album Credits: All music composed and performed by Joseph Akins Recorded by Michael Fleming at MTSU Studio B Mixed by Michael Fleming and Joseph Akins Mastered by Randy LeRoy at Final Stage Mastering Yamaha CFIII 9-foot concert grand piano provided by Claude P. Street Piano Company Piano technician: Doug Waguespack CD Graphic Design by Bernard Fertal Photography by Jack Ross and Andy Heidt This project was made possible by a grant from the Faculty Research and Creative Projects Committee and the Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University, and generous support from Terrie and Kayla. |
Masterpeace - Solo Piano
Masterpeace is a collection of warm melodic piano solos from Joseph Akins. From the title track to the final track, Masterpeace will take you on a journey of southern serenity.
Bill Binkleman of New Zone Reporter said, "Here's a piano album that I can play over and over again and enjoy each time", and Kathy Parsons of mainlypiano.com said, "This is a great album for unwinding and relaxing."
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Listen to Masterpeace (click on play button to hear an excerpt)
1. Masterpeace
This is the title track for the CD and is a favorite among listeners. It is also a favorite of mine to play! New - sheet music now available for this track!
2. Cane Creek
Cane Creek Cascades at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee is my favorite place to relax. This track is dedicated to this beautiful location in nature.
See footage of Cane Creek Cascades and TN state parks with this music video.
3. Joy of Being
This solo represents the joy of being alive!
4. Finding Grace
This is the slowest solo on the CD. It moves between moments of sadness and grace. The title simply came to me from listening to it.
5. In the Country
This solo was inspired after a trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. While composing it, I could see images of the country side in Tennessee, and I still do when listening to it!
6. Present Moment
When we do something we love, like play the piano, we are a happy because we are living in the present moment...free of the past and the future. Download the sheet music for this track.
7. Journey Home
All these tracks and especially this one is dedicated to the memory of Steven Goddard (1963-2000), a best friend who loved piano music.
8. Keys to the Heart (bonus track)
This is a new version of a track that was the title track for Keys to the Heart (1997). It is a favorite among listeners and here it is in solo piano format. Download the sheet music for this track.
9. Inner Space (bonus track)
This was a complete spontaneous improvisation in the studio. It was intended for contemplation or meditation.
New live videos of selected performances at YouTube.com
Masterpeace Music Video
Watch and relax to this video of beautiful Tennessee state parks with the sounds of Masterpeace. This is a low resolution version from YouTube.
The Making of Masterpeace
Go to the recording studio where Masterpeace was recorded and watch interviews with Joseph. This is a low resolution version from YouTube.
See more videos at YouTube.com
Masterpeace is reviewed by Kathy Parsons of MainlyPiano.com in November of 2007: “Masterpeace” is pianist/composer Joseph Akins’ first solo release in ten years. A professor of recording industry at Middle Tennessee State University, Akins recorded this beautiful album on a Yamaha CFIII concert grand, and the sound quality is amazing. The title track arrived one day when Akins was improvising at the piano, after several years of “writer’s block.” Once that piece was realized, the music started coming almost faster than Akins could play it. The result is an exceptional piano CD designed for relaxation and to quiet the listener’s world. The nine tracks are all original compositions, and a few include keyboard washes for color.
As a young teenager, Akins played keyboards and saxophone in his father’s country-rock band in Tennessee, and occasionally you can hear a touch of that influence. As a college student, he played in rock bands and then turned to jazz. The death of his father and a health problem that challenged his music career changed Akins’ perspective on life as well as music. “Music became much more than notes and rhythms. It became about feeling emotions, expressing the soul, and helping others.” That focus is very apparent in Akins’ music, and his deep involvement in so many different kinds of music has helped him to create a musical voice that is uniquely his own while being universally understandable.
The title track opens the CD. Warm, inviting, and very calming, it is a lovely way to start! “Cane Creek” is blissfully serene with a lazy tempo and gentle flow. Keyboard washes create a sense of mystery and of seeking. “Finding Grace” is one of my favorites. A little darker than some of the others, there is a real poignance to the music. The slow melody and occasional discordance bring out the introspective nature of the piece - deeply emotional thinking at the piano. “In the Country” hints at Nashville piano legend Floyd Cramer. Leisurely and easy-going, images of a restful day in nature come floating through as the music plays. “Journey Home” is another beauty. Thoughtful and reflective, this one is a little more dramatic than some, offering passion as well as contentment. “Keys to the Heart” is my favorite. Shown as a “bonus track” on the CD, this piece was an expression of Akins’ grief from losing his father, but also expresses the peace that comes with the acceptance of one of life’s most difficult challenges. A testament to the healing qualities of music, this piece also celebrates life and feels like a tribute. Emotionally complex and absolutely honest, this is a truly great piece! I also really like “Inner Space,” another bonus track. More improvised and free-form, the repetitive left hand keeps the floating right hand somewhat grounded as it dances all over the piano.
“Masterpeace” is a great album for relaxing and unwinding. I don’t recommend trying to wake up with it! Joseph Akins is off to a very promising fresh start, and we’ll hope that the music keeps flowing. “Masterpeace” is available from www.josephakins.com, amazon.com, and cdbaby.com.
Masterpeace is reviewed by Anne Williams in the Expo 2008 issue of New Age Retailer: Joseph Akins’ publicity materials compare his music to that of Jim Brickman, George Winston, and David Lanz. I think that’s a perfectly justifiable comparison. Strong melodies in well-structured compositions played confidently and with great depth of feeling are what listeners can expect from Masterpeace. I can also detect a bit of Jon Jarvis in Akins’ playing, a little bit of southern storytelling in his trills. This is a very satisfying collection of compositions. Special favorites of mine are “Joy of Being,” “In the Country,” and the moving “Keys to the Heart,” written upon the passing of Akins’ father from Alzheimer’s.
Beautifully recorded and produced, Masterpeace is worth of the comparisons to the greats of New Age music.
©2007 HeartSong Music 
