Search - Joseph Nagler :: Musical Massage: Synergy

Synergy begins in the cosmos à la Jonn Serrie, but after traversing reflective and inspired small-ensemble territory ends in accessible, grooved-out smooth-jazz territory. The theme of synergy appears throughout the disc as keyboardist Joseph Nagler locks into various ambient, New Age moods with fellow musicians Miri Chung (violin), Victor Magnani (guitars), and Billy Gags (flutes and sax). "Sapphire" is reminiscent of some of Michael Hoppe's work, and the bending guitar on "Turquoise" recalls Steve Roach's Midnight Moon. The real highlight is the fine, crisp percussion and string playing of Miri Chung on "Lapis." This is the most accessible, pleasant, and perhaps least challenging album of the Relaxation Company's Musical Massage series, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not one of the best. --Karen K. Hugg