Flying Not Falling

$9.99$12.99

$9.99
$12.99

 

Flying Not Falling is a bold statement about what New Age music can be today!

The overall tone is joyous, happy, and up-lifting. Eleven new instrumental songs engage the listener with Highstein’s signature combination of catchy melodies, well defined themes, and intricate arrangements. The result is a lively set that avoids the syrupy tones common to much of the genre, in favor of truly satisfying musical content.

Classical, jazz, and world music elements gracefully weave their way throughout the work. Virtuosic performances by Highstein on piano combine with contributions from masterful woodwind, string, and percussion players. The mix conveys a level of emotional depth and personality that draw in the listener through repeated plays.

I am listening right now… and it is just stunning. Such thoughtful compositions, beautiful production, and the instrumentation is gorgeous. I am especially pulled in by the piano and the flute, but of course it is how the whole ensemble comes together that makes the piece so special.”  White Sun (Gurujas Khalsa). Best New Age Album Grammy Winner, 2017.

Flying Not Falling includes stellar performances by the following musicians:

Max Highstein – piano, fretless bass, synthesizers.

John Yoakum – soprano sax, flute. Credits include Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, The Simpsons, LA Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ed Willett – cello. Willett has performed with the Honolulu Symphony and Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra, and toured worldwide with pop/rock icon Rickie Lee Jones.

Willa Roberts – vocalization. Featured with her trio Black Sea Hotel on the Grammy Award winning Yo-Yo Ma/ The Silk Road Ensemble’s latest album, Sing Me Home.

Mark Clark – drums and percussion. Credits include James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, John Popper, and Ottmar Liebert. John Gustafson – oboe. The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, James Newton and Bob Moses.

Jesse Tatum – flute. Principal Flute of The Santa Fe Symphony and the Opera Southwest Orchestra.

John Gustafson – oboe. The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, James Newton and Bob Moses.

Charly Drobeck – flute. Member, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and Santa Fe Womens’ Ensemble

With Special Appearance by Jay Rusty Crutcher, alto sax on Let’s Talk. Rusty Crutcher is a celebrated multi-instrumentalist and New Age music artist.

Additional mixing input by Chuck Wilson and Daniel Ward.

 

What Makes This Music Sound So Special?

“Flying Not Falling is musical magic! The arrangements are fresh and original, the production is superb, and the performances brim with wonderful surprises. This music lends us wings!”Rob Whitesides Woo, Composer & Serenity Recording Artist

I am listening right now... and it is just stunning. Such thoughtful compositions, beautiful production, and the instrumentation is gorgeous. I am especially pulled in by the piano and the flute, but of course it is how the whole ensemble comes together that makes the piece so special.”  White Sun (Gurujas Khalsa). Best New Age Album Grammy Winner, 2017.

“This is absolutely lovely, I agree with Gurujas!” – Wouter Kellerman Best New Age Album Grammy Winner, 2015

“We received your CD today. I just listened to it, and — Wow! It is simply outstanding! It will most definitely gets lots of airplay on GAIA Prime Radio. In fact, we will likely add numerous tracks from the album to our playlist next week. It is exactly the kind if music we had in mind when we started GAIA.” Robert Martin, Owner/Producer, GAIA Prime Radio

More listening comments (names withheld for privacy):

"I really enjoyed listening to Flying Not Falling this morning. Your music is fresh and uplifting. I love the combination of instruments and sounds."

"I have finally gotten a chance to sit down and really listen to "Flying Not Falling". First of all, the packaging is lovely. The mix is awesome. Your compositions are all unique. You and your musicians are wonderful. I really love how uplifting all the music is, not cloying like so many New Age submissions. My favorites are "Earthtones"...should be part of a soundtack! Lake Shrine...which makes me want to go out into the woods and listen to it again. Also Helium...floats...as it should, I suppose. I'm listening to "Let's Talk" right now, which I think would lend itself nicely to lyrics. Anyway, this is on the top of my New Age list."

"I absolutely Adore "Flying Not Falling"!!!! The title cut is of course my favorite but I love them all!!!"

"I like your light touch and instrumentation. Dreamwalk is particularly compelling and always going somewhere new and inviting. I like the interesting use of synth on Frank and Mandy. That was a pleasant unexpected timbre. Other standouts for me are Lake Shrine and New Girlfriend . I love your subtle use of syncopation on Lake Shrine and I love the authentic melody and vibe of New Girlfriend. Earthtones is my favorite. I love the countermelodies and subtle rhythmic arrangement. I love how overall your music dances and the instruments interplay."

"This is absolutely delightful music! It is inventive. It is fun. It is interesting. It is beautifully played and produced. Max Highstein is a wonderful composer and musician and here he has brought all his talent forth.”

“Flying Not Falling is still in the CD deck in my car, as it’s one of the really good ones. I know the album very well. You’ve produced a beautiful work… the production with such clarity that brings the featured musicians’ instruments is so near, you might as well be there. This album is truly lovely. Your choice in ebb & flow is satisfying, and before you realize, it’s over, & it’s playing again! A lot of talent going on there. I took the opportunity to listen to some of your previous work. You certainly get ‘New Age’ and see the development of the genre. It’s a pleasure to listen too.”

"I put it on and I danced. It made me feel the true innocence and joy of being alive. So excited to move to this music every morning now. What a way to start my day. Your gift is... stunningly beautiful. An opening of the heart."