A hallmark of great art is that it makes you see the world with new eyes. Seay’s “In the Garden” is such an album. There’s so much beauty everywhere, and Seay makes us appreciate it all – from the deepest oceans, via the human spirit and into space. In a world where there’s so much focus on negativity, we all need to take a walk in Seay’s garden. It is a feel-good album in every sense of the word.
“In the Garden”, released by Tuscan Sun Music, is the fourth release by Seay (pronounced ‘say’). She has worked with artists such as Annie Lennox, Cher, Elaine Paige, Clay Walker, Crystal Gayle, and Ricky Kej. She also did a Christmas release “Breath of Heaven” with Stephen Peppos.
First track is “Beautiful Earth”. The opening with flute, Seay’s amazing vocal and synths are breathtakingly beautiful. The Earth, the rising sun and the universe beyond are all filled with love and endless possibilities. It is, as Seay sings, a miracle universe. You just have to appreciate it, and everything will fall into place.
It is easy to compare Seay’s style with Enya. The voice layering effects and the harmonies will make her fans feel right at home. Though Seay is so much more than that. She mixes different genres and expressions, which in sum makes her style unique, different and fresh. Track two, “Dream”, is a great example of that. Here the strings and Seay’s vocal have an elegant, neo classical touch. It truly is like stepping into a dream world.
Oceanus
How often do you give thanks to the ocean? I must confess that I don’t do that as often as I should. Without the ocean, Earth would be like Mars. Seay’s song “Oceanus” is a tribute to the depths, complete with dolphin sounds and sounds of water. Again we can compare with Enya, and a reference to her song “Sail Away” seems fitting. Seay’s production qualities are equally impressive. – Thank you, ocean! And thank you Seay, of course, for pointing that out.
Next track out is the title track. “In the Garden” has a slow build-up and a nice touch of Eastern mystique. I absolutely love the atmosphere and the intricate sound effects. The garden is both interesting and exciting, filled with life and colors.
The production qualities on “In the Garden” are amazing. The mixing and mastering are very well done. Listen to “We are One” and you’ll understand what I mean. It is the best pop-New Age music crossover I have heard in years. We all have open our eyes and see how much we humans have in common. We really are One. It is perhaps the most important message of all.
With “Hearts Afire”, “Anima Mundi” and “Golden Spiral” it gets a bit more meditative. It is impossible not to be affected by the positive and uplifting atmosphere. Seay, with her beautiful vocal, is our guide. The many layers of sound make it into a very enjoyable listening experience.
I Love You Still
“I Love You Still” is a great ballad. It shows that Seay masters pop style too, much better than most New Age music artists. She truly is a versatile artist. We are lucky to have her in our genre.
“Seraphim (Breath of the Angel)” is almost six and a half minute long, but time flies when listening to it. It has a gorgeous melody, and the voice layering and the effects are beautifully crafted. The ending, “Full Moon Sonata” and “Into the Blue (Oceanus Reprise)”, make sure that the album ends on a high note.
Albert Einstein once said that”I think the most important question facing humanity is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’” Listening to Seay’s new album “In the Garden” it is impossible to answer “no” to that question. The universe is indeed a friendly place. It is close to a perfect album, and Seay’s best so far.
Score: 95/100 – See how I rate music here
Visit Seayinthegarden.com – where you can sample & buy the album.