G A L A X I E S

“…one of the finest musicians on the New Age music scene today.”

Los Angeles synthesist Kevin Braheny is regarded by many serious listeners as one of the finest musicians on the New Age music scene today. His improvised Lullaby for the Hearts of Space (1980) and his pre-composed The Way Home (formerly entitled Perelandra; 1984) stand as contemporary New Age classics. His latest effort, “Galaxies” features music Braheny composed for the “Galaxies” planetarium show, written and directed by author Timothy Ferris.

Galaxies includes 16 relatively brief synthesizer and electronic woodwind pieces, and showcases a satisfying and nourishing variety of styles, moods, timbres, and tempos. Some of the themes dazzle the ears and inner eyes, leaping into our imagination like starfire fanfares. Others, especially on side two, suggest infinite, beauteous space and heavenly choirs, radiant in their timeless serenity. Throughout Galaxies, Braheny has composed his music with subtle intricacy and a fine ear for sensual and enchanting textural variety. Excellent.

NEW REALITIES September/October 1989, Vol. X, No. 1

“Spacemusic at its best!
Primal haunting, imagery
…exquisitely beautiful.
A landmark album for Kevin Braheny…”

…Kevin Braheny’s newest offering, entitled Galaxies, is a different story altogether. The 16 compositions, which were commissioned for a 1988 planetarium production by Professor Timothy Ferris, are among the finest work that Kevin has done to date. This is esoteric space music at its best!

With the addition of an electronic woodwind controller to his bank of state of the art synthesizers, the composer extends his sonic capabilities into new dimensions. He pushes this remarkable instrumentation to its fullest potential right in the opening track. Here, in “Galaxies Main Theme,” Braheny teases us with a soft celestial introduction and then seems to magically produce a rich, vibrant orchestration that can only be compared to a full symphonic ensemble.

The album’s longest piece, “Ancient Stars,” is also one of its very best. This, more than any other composition, evokes the memory of Braheny’s work on the classic album Western Spaces. “Ancient Stars” is rife with primal, haunting imagery which may be interpreted as mysterious of shamanistic. However, it is so exquisitely beautiful that I get goosebumps each time I listen to it.

Galaxies is certain to be hailed as a landmark album for Kevin Braheny and thus deserves a high recommendation for anyone who enjoys etheric, other-worldly music with a touch of symphonic grandeur.

Reviewed by Ken Gruen, New Frontier Magazine July/August 1988