Layers within layers of beautiful, sensuous music make up the beguiling Unity, crafted by Raphael Groten and his partner Rebecca Kodis as their heartfelt hope that there can eventually be Unity and Peace in the sad and sorry World in which we all live.
Music as a means to help the world heal became a very definitive part of the music industry in the 1960s with many folk groups, along with the eventual creation of John Lennon’s iconic song Imagine, sending out the message for Peace.
Unity is a series of songs, in the same tradition, each with its own emotion woven within the song, each one perfect in its creation which continues this long-held hope for humanity.
Delicate and enchanting Feathers commences a time of thoughtful meditation which was the original purpose of the creation; to help carry the listener into their own world in readiness for the music to flow.
Rebecca Kodis joins Raphael Groten in a captivating dance of guitar and violin in Ease, written and created for pure enjoyment; a song which if allowed, will carefully take you on a sublime journey into worlds that are vast and peaceful. A sensual and gloriously rich song to delight.
Open Hands is a delightfully intriguing song that features Will Ackerman on guitar, Eugene Friesen on cello, each one adding a delicious depth to Groten on guitar and Kodis on violin. Each melody entwines seamlessly to evolve into a delicate, floating and utterly divine moment in time.
Union is a traditional piece in that it is reminiscent of the days when couples danced, slowly, cheek to cheek, enveloped in the music and the gentle love of their partner. This blissful song often gets played at weddings as it captures the nostalgic love of life, of fresh new beginnings, and gentle drifts of sadness as the old is left behind to make way for the new.
Drawing an incredibly beautiful album to a close is the title track Unity, created in a deep trance, on the eve of New Year 2019-2020. Haunting and deeply spiritual the simple lyrics, softly sung, offer balm to a troubled world, a troubled soul and bring with them gentle healing.
The liner notes that accompany this Album should be read as they tell the story behind each of the ten songs that make up this enchanting collection.
“May all life be unified. May all life know peace with me.â€
Reviewed by Janet Mawdesley
Artist – Raphael Groten and Rebecca Kodis
Distributor:Â Â Â Â Â Apple Music
Released:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â July 2024
Running Time:Â Â 49mins 2secs
Website:Â Â Â https://music.apple.com/us/album/unity/1754733132
consciouslivingmagazine.com.au/category/arts/music-reviews
