I have been wanting to write about some alternative musicians and types of music for a long while. Well, Facebook brought it to me via an ad. The ad was for Daniela Mars, a Trevor James Flutes Artist, who is a Brazilian flutist raised in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and England. After listening to a number of her online music videos, I sent her a request to review her new album, Reverence for the Moment. And let me tell you, that title couldn’t describe this album any better.
Reverence for the Moment was released on September 22, of this year, on VOCES8 Records. “Daniela Mars is an inspiring soloist, composer, educator, and social media persona, enjoying a rich artistic life driven by a love of nature and travel. From the deepest caves of Vietnam to the mountains and waterfalls of her homeland in Brazil, Daniela loves to make music with her flutes and be immersed and connected with the natural world”.
Daniela has a particular interest in extended flute techniques and specializes in performances with the low flutes. As a soloist, Daniela was included in the world premiere performances of concertos written for her by Philippe Truille (DiMenna Centre, NYC) and Isaiah Castro (California). She also performed at the Mostly Modern Festival, (Netherlands); with Orquestra Sinfónica de Barra Mansa under the direction of Daniel Guedes. She has also performed in France, the UK, China, Germany, Vietnam, Singapore, and Australia. Daniela Mars has a rich history as a solo and collaborate artist, playing with some significant composers and musicians throughout the world. Daniela is delighted to be an ambassador for Trevor James Flutes.
Every track on this album is worth your time and effort to listen to, with headphones, to uncover the intricate and subtle ways Daniela plays the flute, (in all variations of types), and ways of playing; that makes her sound absolutely unique and precise.
“The Time is in this Very Moment”, deliberately seizes your attention from the start and never lets you go again; during its short duration. The soft, deep, nature of the rhythm and sound of the flute is crystallizing. Daniela’s soft voice adds to the calming stillness. Her ability to blend multiple low sounding flutes together, as if multiple players were present, is stunning.
“Deep Sleep”, is a very calming and almost transferring presence. You will quietly enjoy this great mix of deep and higher toned flutes as they flutter waves of sound across the soundscape. Absolutely stilling and overwhelming in their ability to bring calm and stillness to any room. Over 4 minutes that will make you wish to return to those R.E.M. moments we all wish for, when we close our eyes and seek solitude and rest.
“60mm”, does sound like it belongs on film. Rainier Berger, accompanies Daniela on flute. Maybe this would fit as a soundtrack for a famous Japanese film of adventure or travel into the mountains. It is very cinematic, and Daniela’s vocal sounds only add to the mystery and enchantment of this, one of the album’s best tracks.
“Stillness”, is what we all need at one time or another. If only most of the world would take time for stillness and contemplation, maybe we could avoid a lot of the violence and chaos we currently contend with throughout the world. Daniela’s song provides that over 5 minute opportunity to relax and think about what you will do next to add to the world, instead of always taking away. The soft, and calming sound of Ryan Carlisle’s marimba, that accompanies Daniela, helps induce that feeling of being nestled within a Brazilian rainforest. Thank you.
“Cliffs I – Lost at Sea”, is a soundscape of deep, low sounding, ominous flutes that will transport your mind to the feeling of being lost out at sea in the darkness of the evening in the doldrums. If you saw the movie Adrift, from 2018, that is how this song feels at times.
“Cliffs II – The Lighthouse”, is different, in that it does not have as much peril in the sound of the flutes. There is still a calmness, serenity, and feeling of loneliness to the sound that is profound.
“Northern Lights”, is fully orchestrated with louder and higher flute sounds which lift the soundscape beyond and wide open into the sky. A full complement of various flute sounds. It is like a small orchestra of flutes.
“Crespuscular”, literally translates to: “resembling, or relating to twilight”. The moments before full nightfall, or the full sunrise. Crespuscular, therefore, happens twice a day, for us to appreciate. Take this song with you next time you are at crespuscular, and I think you will feel what Daniela had in mind with the music. Beautiful piano helps support her excellent flute playing.
“Heartweaving”, is the longest track on the album at close to six minutes. It truly is a heart -felt song, full of highlighting piano and soft, deep flute. It is indeed heartwarming and at the same time channeled and designed to capture your attention and make you ponder all.
“These are my First Words”, is a little ominous at its opening. Like a riveting sound driven through the heart, surrounded by flute sound. Stringed instrument sounds surround, as they are added to the soundscape.
“The Where is Right Here”, opens with deep, low flute sounds, and soft fluttering high notes flying above. The contrast is amazing. Then, the harmonies are added to swell the soundscape to orchestra levels. Like a room full of beautiful birds. It is the place to be, right now. Enjoy and appreciate the present given.
I highly recommend Reverence for the Moment, as a departure to a distant land, which you always envisioned yourself visiting, but were too busy or too fearful to explore. Put on some headphones and drift with Daniela’s pleasing sounds, that allows your mind to travel beyond what you normally experience. This album is something I wish everyone could hear, and more importantly appreciate. This is more of what we all need. Quiet time to contemplate our actions, our past, our present, and future, in order to make the best of all three periods of our lives and the day. This contemplative music allows us to separate ourselves from the phones and technology we encounter each day. It gives us time to consider our existence. This is very well-developed, deeply, and uniquely composed music to help you and your consciousness.
That is absolutely worth more than the price paid for this album. Please get this album. For your life and your well-being. Thank you, Daniela Mars for taking the time to be both in the right “Time in this Very Moment’, and “Where, the right place, “is Right Here”…and now.
Album Track List:
- The Time is in this Very Moment – 2:04
- Deep Sleep – 4:10
- 60mm – 4:49
- Stillness – 5:47
- Cliffs I – Lost at Sea – 2:46
- Cliffs II – The Lighthouse – 3:15
- Northern Lights – 4:12
- Crespuscular – 3:56
- Heartweaving – 5:58
- These are my First Words – 2:55
- The Where is Right Here – 3:32
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/danielamarsflute/
https://www.instagram.com/danielamarsflute/
https://www.pandora.com/artist/daniela-mars/the-where-is-right-here/ALjn4ZXX7w99VnV
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/6938579
https://www.patreon.com/danielamarsflute
https://songtracer.com/music/artist/887536937/daniela-mars-paul-smith
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJfyRNDSUB7xCTHHXn88ZTg