Thermal Romantic Jazz, Music from the Edge of Passion. Smooth, Relaxing Jazz Instrumentals rich with New Age colors. Since his Debut Album release in 1989, Ground-breaking instrumentalist and self-taught keyboard aficionado Michael Lee Thomas has established a unique Multi-genre style combining elements of Jazz,New Age,Fusion and Rock. Michael has developed this tasteful mixture into smooth but powerfully composed musical Jazz Soundscapes. Calling the style "Thermal Romantic", the overall presence is a warm rhythmic feel, complimented with nice Grand Piano and well done Lead Synth emphasis. Each piece evolves & transcends through counter-melodic changes and lush passages maintaining a nice groove and drive. While Michael Lee's Hard Rock background influences the up-front Drums and strong Bass foundation on some cuts, another stand-out is his crafted use of fragile percussives. Adventurous and fresh, these expressive compositions have a soft edge that cuts through. Sometimes a slow Jazz funk and sometimes a delicate glide through a haunting dream. Michael Lee's vast experience with Soundtrack production has helped develop his mastery of complex New Age textures.
Well known in the New Age genre, Michael Lee Thomas is now highly recognized in the Instrumental Jazz arena. During the time between his initial Album releases, Michael Lee worked long and hard developing a more Smooth Jazz/Jazz Fusion based form of music. Introducing the new style of music he calls "Thermal Romantic" in 1999, with the release of 'J' & 'Project 7:Area 51', both albums were a departure from the more ethereal early LP's. Featuring a tasteful blend of Jazz/New Age/Fusion and even elements of Rock, Music from the Edge of Passion. Originally and still a Hard Rock drummer, Michael Lee's Instrumental Music projects primarily feature Keyboard Production. An experienced Producer & Recording Engineer, In 1981, he founded Darksilver Records and Realdream Productions, and in 1986, Darksilver Music (BMI). Constantly composing and refining his craft, Michael Lee currently has a digital catalog of over 1000 Masters and an additional 500 Analog Masters. Between Fall 2002 and 2017, Michael Lee released an additional Eightteen Albums. A Six Volume, "Best of", Michael Lee Thomas Album set entitled 'Thermal Romantic Blend' - Volumes 1 thru 6, was Released between Summer 2013 - Summer 2017, with each Album containing Select 'Thermal Romantic' cuts previously released between 1989 - 2014. The Twenty-Eighth, 'Afterland', released in Fall 2018, and in Late Fall 2024, the Twenty-Ninth LP, 'Mystery of When', will debut. Michael Lee has Two major side projects: 'THRILL ELEMENT', with Fifteen Albums featuring New Age & Soundscape compositions and 'VU Lux Parallel', which was launched in December 2018, with its debut LP featuring Smooth Ambient Jazzscapes. Three other side projects, now retired, but still available for sale: 'NORM ALPERSON', with Five Albums featuring Soundscape Jazz; 'GRAVITY QUIET', with Five Albums featuring Ambient/Soundscape and 'TOM SLAYTON EFFECT', with Five Albums featuring an Electro-Organic groove. In total, Michael Lee has released over 75 albums from his musical endeavors. Visit www.darksilver.com for more info and details.
Yes, on July 1, 1978 my band, 'Blackstone', opened the First Texas Jam in front of 100,000 persons in the Cotton Bowl. We won the Texas World Music Festival Battle of the Bands and part of the Forst Place prize was opening the Big show. The Concert featured Walter Egan; Journey; Van Halen; Atlanta Rhythym Section; Heart; Aerosmith and Ted Nugent. I was the Drummer and Founder for 'Blackstone' from 1972 until 1982.
Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, David Sanborn, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis
Michael Lee Thomas - Discography: 'Fresh Out Of Nowhere' (1989); 'Voyager: Grand Tour Suite' (1990); 'Sleeper' (1990); 'After Just Before' (1992); 'J' (1999); 'Project 7: Area 51' (1999); 'Outlaws In Babylon' (2000); 'Predicting History' (2001); 'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4' (2001); 'From Here To There' (2002); 'Witches And Old Maids-East' (2002); 'Witches And Old Maids-West' (2002); 'Witches & Old Maids-North' (2003); 'Witches & Old Maids-South' (2003); 'Touching Illusions (2003); 'Valley of Time' (2004); 'Passing Through' (2005); 'Symptoms Of Reason' (2006); 'Evidence Of Memories' (2007); 'Project 7: Infinite Tomorrow' (2008); 'Home Away From Time' (2009); 'Resting Vertical' (2010); 'Thermal Romantic Blend' - Volume 1 (2013); 'Thermal Romantic Blend'- Volume 2 (2013); 'Casting Spells' (2013); 'Sometime Next Future' (2014); 'Thermal Romantic Blend'- Volume 3 (2014); 'Thermal Romantic Blend'- Volume 4 (2014); 'Far Away Near' (2014); 'Shades of Almost' (2015); 'Thermal Romantic Blend'- Volume 5 (2017); 'Thermal Romantic Blend'- Volume 6 (2017); 'Project 7: Chronicles' (2017); 'Witches & Old Maids - Select Cuts' (2017); 'Just Past The Fall' (2017); 'Afterland' (2018); 'Mystery of When' (2024)