Don't know about you, but lately I've found myself feeling completely zoned out at the end of yet another gruelling day of running through this rat-race we call Life. One thing I do know? With its light-hearted piano solo that delicately dances through majestic, billowing clouds of slowly swirling synths, its uplifting outbursts of mystical pan-pipes and boasting a full orchestral accompaniment, this absolutely stunning contemporary instrumental will, without a doubt, truly leave you with a most refreshing and peaceful sense of well-being after the very first listen. Proof positive as to exactly why this 26 year old music producer / composer / arranger keeps soaring straight to the top of the MP3.com New Age charts on a regular basis. Soulful, soft, soothing - Horizon is a melodic, emotionally inspired bit of heaven right here on Earth.

Not very often do I hear music that is “professional”. My definition of professional here refers not to talent, but the way music sounds. Some music I have heard is very good, but I would not call it professional. And of course, some professional music I have heard is quite abhorrent. And there is some music that is truly professional while retaining a good sound.

Nostalgia, by Philippe-Alexandre Belisle, is an excellent new age piece that, to me, sounds very, very professional. Philippe has a total of over 800,000 (!) plays to his name, and I figured that his talent must be quite admirable. Indeed, it is. This song begins with a beautiful piano melody. It is lulling and very pleasing to the ear, yet it seems so simple. Beyond its simplicity, it is filled with much depth. There is a bit of reverb on the notes, which lends a very lush feel. This melody progresses forth until joined by very warm strings at 1:18. At around 1:48, percussion is added, and this piece defines itself better. The drums follow perfectly well in tune with the piano, yet they don’t ruin the essence of the song. A warm synth line is introduced at 2:42, which assimilates with the piano. Then after the third minute, a “tiptoe” background melody takes over, aiding the ever-enchanting piano melody. At this point, the song takes on a more orchestral feel, which vaults the song to its peak. Not only is it the piano playing, it is joined along with an array of violins, cellos, and horns. They so brilliantly uplift the song from a beautiful simplicity to a depth-filled, brilliant symphonic melody.

Philippe-Alexandre Belisle has extraordinary talent, which is proven by this piece. He has the talent of a true professional. The way this is played, the way it sounds, it is amazing. The production is excellent and the choice of instrumentation is just as good. The blend of everything is just perfect. I must give credit to Mr. Belisle and to Daniel Berthiaume and Denis Couture for production and arrangement. This piece is excellent and it brightened my day. I hope it will do the same to you.

This new age piece by Philippe-Alexandre Belisle is hauntingly beautiful. This is the music to play when soft spring rain is falling outside and provocation of sentimental thoughts is called for.

It's a simple composition with incredible depth. The song begins with a gorgeous piano melody to be joined by very warm strings at 1:18. At around 1:49, you will hear the drums as the piece begins to really define itself. Some smooth synth work follows, blending perfectly with the piano and then a background melody takes over before it is joined by violin, cello and horn, which take the song from elegant simplicity to the heartfelt impact of a full symphony orchestra.

Journey is simply magical in how it tears past the veils of mundane indifference and invite the spirit to unfurl its wings in a deliriously adventurous flight. If, one day, Phillipe can ever get an orchestral arrangement to accompany such works. the result shall, in no small assessment, be epic.

I can only thank Philippe ever so much for trusting his listeners to enter his world and for sharing his beautiful transcriptions with me in this fashion. The track solitude is, to me, reminiscent of the innate loneliness of the journey every soul is taking. Toward what? Just give a listen to this track, and the answers shall come from within.

‘Horizon’ is my preferred style of music, from the more passionate side of Philippe’s musical palette. With every listen to ‘Horizon,’ the music penetrates my heart—truly from someone as gifted as he. Philippe aims for his music be heard, and he gets his music heard and the masses respond. With pop culture yearning for more tasteful, less humdrum music, I am sure Philippe will leave an impressionable mark on American soil. Or has he? For my constructive criticism, I would like to hear another variation of this song, with emphasis in modulation.