South Africa’s ‘Byron Major’ returns with a tear jerking ballad ‘as the world joins him in ‘Finding the Light’

Byron Major is Back. Putting Singer-Songwriter-Producer Byron Major’s music into a box is not going to work. Byron says that “genres in music is like racism in society – not applicable”.

While his style is certainly influenced by his early classical music training, Byron’s music takes on elements from Motown to Alternative R&B, Soul and traditional South African rhythm. You can also definitely hear the influences of Stevie Wonder, Prince and John Lennon in his soulful R&B vocals and piano arrangements and performance.

The brand new single from ‘Byron Major’ is the title track to his latest E.P ‘Finding The Light’.  ‘Finding The Light’ is a touching and shiver inducing accomplished piano ballad of ‘Stevie Wonder’ and ‘John Legend’ proportions‘Byron Major’ sings his very heart out and delivers a performance capable of bringing a listener to tears, on this heart wrenching, emotional, God filled, warm and classic piano ballad.

You can hear the incredibly touching piano ballad ‘Finding The Light’ from ‘Byron Major’ on Bafana FM everyday at 6 p.m South African time and on the Africa Daily List. 

Byron Major has proven his Prowse as a singer-songwriter-performer-producer. He made it to the Top 24 of South African Idols at the age of 17 and was invited to perform his original song ‘South Africa’ at Nelson Mandela’s Boston birthday celebration attended by the Governor of Massachusetts in the USA in 2013. He sang his original songs alongside Grammy Award-Winning singer Paula Cole while studying at Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA) and his 2016 single ‘May Flower’ caught the attention of 21 radio stations across the UK.

His track “Delicious” charted for 10-weeks on college Radio in South Africa and his single Midnight Daydream peaked at number 26 on the UK Music Week Official Club chart, Color My World peaked at Number 15 on the same UK Music Week chart, and Rockstar peaked at Number 1 on BBC Radio One’s Essential Mix Creators Kings of Spin DJ Charts in 2018.

Rockstar went on to be playlisted in countries around the globe, including: Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, England & USA, and to complete the year Byron Major’s Summer Day charted at number 16. At the end of 2019, Matchbox Recordings UK invited Byron to feature Color My World on their compilation album and the track was playlisted on London FM.

Byron Major was recently the Cover Star for South African Music and Entertainment Magazine, Bafana.

The year 2020 has indeed been an unprecedented year given the global health pandemic that had us in lockdown across the world, and has presented a wide range of personal challenges for us but it has also connected us on the level of our humanity.

Byron Major’s EP entitled “Finding the Light” therefore aims to bring hope and encouragement in the face of adversity. This EP touches on topics such as being lost within the circus of life’s rat race to his favourite topics of relationships and unrequited love.

In his forthcoming single entitled Finding the Light, the same title as the EP, the lyrics tell the experience of many a man and woman, and Byron’s emotions permeates his piano and vocal performance and penetrates the soul. The release date for the EP, Finding the Light by Byron Major, was released globally on 27th October.

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DISCOVER WORLD MUSIC: The extraordinary talents of ‘Dan Blanchard’ and friends shine bright on the relaxing gem and oasis of calm ‘Afternoon Ambience’

“Afternoon Ambience” is an album combining Indian Classical Music and Ambient music, in the World Music genre. It is a lush soundscape for relaxation and rejuvenation.

It is based on Rāga Bhimpalasi, an afternoon rāga. Rāga is the main component of Indian Classical Music.  Rāga, a Sanskrit word, means “that which colours or leaves an impression”.   A mood is created by its notes and phrases, and a full recital of a raga consists of several movements, and is very similar to a western classical symphony.

The listener is brought of a journey through melodic and rhythmic structure and improvisations.

Dan Blanchard blends ancient Indian classical music with world and electronic music to transport you to blissful states of mind during yoga and meditation practice or to uplift you during your daily life.

Classically trained on the santoor by Indian master Pandit Satish Vyas and joined by other talented musicians from the world and sound healing scene, Dan explores the therapeutic power of music and adapts it for modern world needs, providing a powerful and engaging experience for overall well-being and inner peace.

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A DEEPER INSIGHT INTO ‘AFTERNOON AMBIENCE’

Artists / Instruments

Dan Blanchard (main artist) – Santoor (Indian Hammered Dulcimer), Harmonium (small pipe organ), synthesizers, Tanpura (drone instrument)

Neelamjit Dhillon – Tabla (Indian hand drums)
http://neelamjit.com/

Sheela Bringi
– Bansuri Flute (Indian Bamboo Flute)
http://www.shebrings.com/

Chris Votek
– Cello
https://www.chrisvotek.com/

Jeff Ali
– Ambient Guitar
https://jeffali.com/

Mixed by Dan Blanchard and Ronan Chris Murphy
Mastered by Ronan Chris Murphy at Veneto West
https://ronanchrismurphy.com/

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What’s the Unique Thing About This Album ?

Indian Classical music is improvisation in nature.

There are rules (certain notes and phrases) to each raga, and there is a typical progression (discussed below with the details of each track).
The album is one raga – it has the same mood throughout, through movements of freeform melody as well as rhythmic exploration.

Cello and Ambient Guitar are not typical Indian Classical Instruments.  Having these instruments provides another dimension to the album.

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The first song particularly has been described as cinematic. Indian Classical music is a tonal music style, all notes are in relationship to the drone.  As opposed to equal tempered tuning required for western music with chords and different keys which slices the octave into equal steps, the Indian notes (Swaras) are based on simple ratios (3/2, 4/3, 5/4, 7/5, etc.) and mimic the relationships with nature.  This adds to the relaxing quality of the music.

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1. Unwind (Alaap) [17:29] – Alaap is the beginning of the rāga where the melodic structure is slowly improvised and unveiled in a freeform style without rhythm.  This is performed on the santoor, a 100-stringed Indian instrument, with accompaniment by Bansuri Flute, Cello, Ambient Guitar, Harmonium, and Tanpura (drone instrument).

2. Deeper (Jod) [12:41] – Jod adds a rhythm to the melodic introduction in Alaap.

3. Swirling (Vilambit Gat in Jhaptaal) [14:30] – This is a slow (“Vilambit”) tempo composition (“Gat”) set to a 10 beat (“Jhaptaal”) rhythmic cycle, accompanied by the tabla (Indian hand drums).

4. Building (Madhya Gat in Teentaal) [8:22] – This is a medium (“Madhya”) tempo composition (“Gat”) set to a 16 beat (“Teentaal”) rhythmic cycle, accompanied by the tabla.

5. Ascent (Drut Gat in Teentaal) [6:34] – This is a fast (“Drut”) tempo composition (“Gat”) set to a 16 beat (“Teentaal”) rhythmic cycle, accompanied by the tabla, ending with a very fast climax called Jhala.  In a typical performance this would be the end of the rāga.

6. Let Go [10:27] – A final relaxation with vocal and flute, to integrate the musical journey.


ONLINE:

www.peacefulvibes.com

Listen to full album at Soundcloud

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More information about Indian Classical Music
https://peacefulvibes.com/introduction-to-indian-classical-music/