Listening to Liquid Mind’s new album “Mindfulness” got me thinking about a famous quote by Osho: “Silence has a music of its own, it is not dead, it is very much alive, it is tremendously alive. In fact, nothing is more alive than silence.” In his music, Chuck Wild seems to capture silence and turn it into music, which in turn makes it easy to experience any kind of meditation – now including mindfulness. It is a fantastic addition to Liquid Mind’s one-of-a-kind discography.
“Mindfulness” is the sixteenth album in Chuck Wild’s series of therapeutic music. His two most recent albums are “Liquid Mind XII: Peace” (2018) and “Liquid Mind XI: Deep Sleep” (2016). Chuck Wild has also written over 60 original tunes for artists such as The Pointer Sisters, Wink, and Tommy Page. About the process of mindfulness, Wild says: “I believe there are many paths to inner peace, as everyone’s life journey is unique. One skill which has benefitted me is mindfulness, observing my feelings and thoughts in the present moment without judgment.”
In the Arms of Love
As a longtime fan, there’s one thing I know for sure when playing a new Liquid Mind album; It will contain cutting edge synths and pads. From the mid-1990s and until today, Chuck Wild has pushed the technology to the max and produced rich and groundbreaking sounds. That’s one of the reasons why the first few Liquid Mind albums – like “Ambience Minimus” (1994) “Slow World” (1996) – are still very popular and don’t sound dated.
“Mindfulness” starts with “In the Arms of Love.” I love the first few seconds, and how the sound seems to pull the listener in – much like a pair of loving arms. It is a fantastic effect. The slow, ambient melody is multi-dimensional. The room of sound is, as usual, MASSIVE, with heavenly strings center stage and many layers of gentle textures. The song also has a nice build-up, growing in intensity towards the end. If the song had a color, it would be romantic red.
A Calm Heart
The purpose of mindfulness is to clear the clutter and enter a state of calmness. In the intro to “A Calm Heart,” we can sense uncertainty and stress gripping the heart; Then suddenly, a wave of peace washes over it. The heart can relax and just be, without worries. It is a beautiful and inspiring song.
“Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give,” says an old quote. “The Wisdom of Kindness” takes us right into the center of it all, showing how powerful it is – and how showing kindness makes you feel good too. The heavenly male vocals sound amazing. We are now entering a more contemplative part of the album. “A Gentle Mind” is a dreamy piece with a flute-like lead synth before a light trumpet is heard. It is a perfect definition of a gentle mind; Inspired, yet totally without ego, doubts, and insecurity.
Life in the Slow Lane
One of the most excellent songs on the album is “Life in the Slow Lane.” It is a warm, positive, and relaxing piece with a quite bubbly melody. There’s no need for complexity in the slow lane. It is a genuine feel-good song.
The title track concludes the album. I love how Liquid Mind describes mindfulness as a state; It is as if time stands still, only the here and now matters. I’m also impressed by the song’s energy. It leaves you feeling relaxed and thankful. If that is not mindfulness, I don’t know what is.
In conclusion: I believe many people think that mindfulness is hard, that it requires a lot of preparation and practice. Liquid Mind’s “Mindfulness” shows how wrong that impression is. You only have to press Play, and Liquid Mind will take you there. It lets you quietly observe your thoughts while effectively blocking out the world around you. I think it also can inspire many to learn more about the psychological process behind mindfulness and its health benefits.
“Liquid Mind XIII – Mindfulness” is, in short, something we all can benefit from, especially now.
Score: 96/100 – See our scoring policy
You can download a free PDF-booklet here.
For more information and music samples, visit liquidmindmusic.com