MICHAEL O'CONNELL's music can be seen as a collection of paradoxical elements at times, blending the meditative with the dynamic, ambient with the starkly present. Other times one can be eased into the flow: mood enhancing elements fusing haunting melodies with provocative sound that suddenly invoke a still, timeless moment. Here the music has as its creative vision the intention to calm or minds, energize our creative spirit, fire our imaginations, and hopefully bring a halt (at least temporarily) to the busyness (business) of our lives, creating a gap, a space where real life, love, and hope can effortlessly flow out of us. So, sit back, relax, and be with the music...currently being featured on international NEWAGE Radio program: 'nuages' series.

Mood:  lyrical

Karen Marie Garrett's previous recording (Allure of Sanctuary) offered an abundance of melody and emotion, making it truly a remarkable debut. Her latest recording (It's About the Rose) presents an absolutely stunning evolution in musical styles, textures, virtuosity and emotional depth. She has not departed from what worked so well for her in (Allure of Sanctuary) but has simply dug deeper to create an even richer experience. --Will Ackerman, founder Windham Hill Records

...buy it at Amazon.com LISTEN to tracks!

Another beautiful collaboration by pianist Karen Marie Garrett and producer Will Ackerman, Grammy Award winner and founder of Windham Hill Records. It's evident Ms. Garrett went exploring for something new and exciting to share with listeners in this collection of twelve new compositions. Is it New Age, Classical, Pop, or Jazz? We don't know... but it's working, and this album is a passionate work of art!