Island Beauty
Cover Art by Dianna Willman
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The music from this CD, in addition to having outstanding rhythms, provides a musical view of each island’s beauty. Since islands are somewhat isolated from the mainland, the music provided by the folks who live there have different rhythms and instrumentation. The oceans surrounding the islands create a distinctly different environment, resulting in variations in the music as well. Some islands are surrounded by shallow reefs which break up the waves and make approaches long and difficult. Others are surrounded by deep waters and limited access to the islands because of cliffs and steep hills. These physical characteristics can cause differences in the way people live, work and play music. Island music uniqueness is also caused by the different nationalities that settle on the various islands. Every island’s music is rhythmic like waves of the ocean and beautiful like the nature of all these individually distinctive places.
Island Treasures
Cover Art by Norm Daniels “Tropical Evening”
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I played the piano on Bourbon Street in New Orleans while working on the designs of the Saturn moon rocket. I am very pleased to have some of that style of music from that famous city on this CD. Going a little further south down the Gulf of Mexico, we have a few mariachi songs from Mexico as well. We sailed on down to Central and South American countries that have the sophisticated beats and highly emotional melodies that go right to the heart. They have night clubs there that perform jazz like you have never heard anywhere else. Even if you could not hear, just watching their intricate dance steps would make your brain conceive the music. If you have heard European music you will recognize that their music has made it to South America and has gathered some additional rhythms along the way. I feel that this CD typifies the very emotional and rhythmic music of the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Island Swingin’
Cover Art by Alfred Gockel “Full Swing II”
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The tremendous rhythms and syncopations on this Swingin’ CD are based on very popular music of the 1970s and 1980s. There are Grooves, Funks, Soul, Jazz and Dixie Land. These are dance rhythms that delight and excite us into awesome memories of more individualistic dance styles. Many of these music styles have remained in the tropical islands and pleasantly surprise us when we visit them. Some of these styles I fondly remember from playing the piano to help pay my way along with other part time jobs as I was attending universities. Life filled with music is grand!
Island Emotions
Cover Art by Keith Thue
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The music for this CD is based on rhythms and beats of people who brought music from their native lands and who have exciting emotions from traveling the seas. They rested or settled the various territories to which they traveled, absorbing the sounds, adventures and emotions of their travels. They also felt the relief of reaching land and its stability. The newness of the different surroundings and its scenery and sounds added more dimension. This now provides their totally different and exciting version of some of the most popular styles of music. Listen carefully and you will hear the syncoptions and counter beats flowing throughout each song. The beauty of music that reflects the Rhythms of the Universe refreshes us when we need it the most. Sometimes these sounds get into your soul and come out into a song, such as “Deep Feelings,” the last song on the CD.
Cover Artist: Keith Thue www.happilymarriedartists.com
Keith’s art is a perfect match for this CD, since he creates with music as his main medium. In his words, “I will put on a CD and let the rhythms guide my color choices and lines and often just have a dance with my paint brush.”
Island Soul
Cover Art: “Green Maya Jazz for Lovers” by Maya Green
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This music takes me back to the islands on Lake Erie and especially to New Orleans. If you visit New Orleans, you will hear the soul, blues and jazz styles of music. New Orleans has ties to the islands from centuries ago when sailing vessels brought supplies to the islands from New Orleans on the Mississippi River. This not only brought an exchange of supplies but also superb and deep feeling rhythmic music. This type of music hits us deeply inside and brings to the surface many moods and passions. Also, it revives memories of places, people and musical performance that may have long been forgotten. While dreaming of these magical times, my fingers automatically bring about syncopations and rhythms straight from the heart. This is the beauty of music that moves us and brings back the beautiful memories.
Island Heat
Cover Art Poster by A. Bespalov
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This CD takes the music from various countries in and bordering the Caribbean. It brings back beautiful memories of happy people dancing to the styles of music very popular in their countries. For example, Track 11, Afro/Cuban Rumba, is a Guaguanco which is a very passionate Rumba in Cuba. The Mariachi Cumbia is from Mexico, Samba Enredo is from Brazil, and the Reggaeton is from Puerto Rico. Even though the Rumba Napolitano is Italian, it is very popular with the Latin populations of the Caribbean countries. The song on Track 6 is a Joropo from Venezuela, and the Beguine on Track 4 is popular throughout Central and South America and the surrounding islands.
Island Sensations
Cover Art Poster by Karen Dupre’
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Lots of rhythm and deep emotions is a good overall summary of the music on this CD. Should dancing be your forte’, you will be thrilled about these very special beats. And, if you’re not afraid of experiencing feelings of love from this music, make sure you are dancing with your sweetheart. It starts out with a Cha Cha that is going to make you move with enthusiasm. The range of rhythmic music from the opening Cha Cha to the emotional Brazilian Samba at the end will keep you pumped and wanting more. There is even a beautiful song that makes you feel the dominant beats and tones that strongly depict the beauty and vastness of the African plains.
Island Pleasures
Cover Art Adapted from Poster by J.T. Vegar
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This CD delivers a very wide range of emotions that we experience when living on or visiting islands or isolated beaches. Using the extraordinary rhythms and stirring melodies of Island instruments, our emotions are brought out by the beauty and melancholy of the island and beach settings. The range of music runs from watching beautiful dancers doing the Samba to the exotic sounds of the South Pacific. There are explosive rhythms surrounding beautiful but melancholy melodies. Some of the instruments sound like they are crying, but also laughing with joy because of the Yin and Yang of the rhythms of the Universe. Island Pleasures will emotionally satisfy your many different moods.
Island Fantasies
Cover Art by Willem Haenraets
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This CD has an unusual span of exciting musical styles that allows our imagination to run free. We dream, we fantasize and then perform, based on the dreams and fantasies. When I was a young boy, I had thoughts about sailing and traveling to places where this great music was attributed. As a young man, I played Cha Cha, Latin, Calypso, Reggae, Sambas and so forth on the piano at various bars to help pay for my education. This music is very spiritual because it uses the Rhythms of the Universe and the deep emotions of folks who live close to nature. The great rhythms and exotic music from the various instruments and the carefree way they are played pushes our imaginations further into fantasy land. Throughout our lives, no matter what age, we need to keep fantasizing so that we can keep our energy levels up in order to push our performances onward and upward. It is also interesting to note that the title of Track 11, “And That’s the End of That,” came about when an Island Frank music fan, Fred Myers, used that term and suggested that it would be a good title for a song. So, I composed and arranged music to fit the words. I am always supercharged to do my best when music fans get involved with my music.
Island Beats
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There are two large attractions to island music for folks of all ages — the first being the longing for adventure in these beautiful and exotic places. The second is the highly rythmic, colorful and unusually different music that comes from these places. I dream of my experiences sailing to these places in order to bring back the original sights, sounds and feelings that bring out the rhythms for my new songs. When I do this, I realize that the exotic beats are what stir the energy that creates the music. I’m never as aroused and excited as I am when I go through this process. The more rhythm and counter-rhythms that are used creates and stirs up more passion and excitement. An interesting point about exotic island and tropicl music is that there is no need for loud smash-bang rhythms. What is used is a multitude and variety of rhythm instruments weaving in and out, back and forth, and varying the intensity throughout the melody. The rhythms then become a form of communication without words. The music in this CD uses intense beats and drives the CD title to “Island Beats.” The cover art, which was created specifically for this CD, also reflects the vibrant beats of island life and was captured perfectly by the artist, Dianna Willman. You can see more of Dianna’s art at http://www.diannawillman.com
Island Love
Cover: Photograph by Jane Buseth “Fun on Naples Beach”
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This is a very unusual range of music that covers not only the Caribbean but the Mediterranean and Pacific areas. Love is everywhere in the music. There is a Bachata with Caribbean and Pacific rhythms in the song “Come to My Island.” “Can’t Leave this Place” is a Rumba with strong Mediterranean sounds and feelings. The Bossa Nova “Sophisticated Love” has a very exciting and lovable worldly flavor. These songs have uniqueness, excitement and passion that provides something for everyone. “Calls from the Edge of the Universe” depicts a desperate longing for life from elsewhere in the Cosmos that is probably often denied by space and time. The song, “No Cell Phones Out Here” is an exciting Reggaeton style of music that has gotten very popular around the world. There also are very explosive Sambas for excitement The CD cover even shows young folks depicting “L O V E” on the beach with their arms spelling out “love” as they jump for joy and happiness.
Island Romance
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Beautiful, sensual music is not what you play at parties and various other gigs, because it slows people down to contemplate and reminisce, which is not the purpose of a party or gig. Those events are geared to make folks laugh, drink, buy or do whatever to accomplish the purpose of the event. As a result, some of the most beautiful songs are bypassed for the hot dancing, carnival, upbeat and loud happy music requested and played at most events. However, in order to feel the passions, splendors and arousal of syncopated, exotic, rhythmic beats, the music should be a bit slower and more sensual. This CD was totally arranged for that purpose. In order to do that, I made hard choices from about 40 of my slower songs and even enhanced them if needed, and as a result have provided 12 of the best songs that completely fill the space on this CD. This CD provides a different purpose from “Island Meditation,” which was produced to calm the heart and mind. This CD with its exotic beats and sensuous music stimulates our emotions with its slower, passionate melodies and Rhythms of the Universe.
Island Spirits
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Cover Art: “Calusa Sun” by I suspect that all islands have secrets. They certainly have high energy, places and locations … things that are mysterious. Each island had happiness and sadness and perhaps objects were buried, maybe treasure. In the villages and around campfires, the music and stories were constantly enjoyed. If we could hear the stories and the songs we would be enthralled and marvel at the beauty.
The songs I put on this CD represent a span in time and variation. I did this to represent the spirits of the people who were and are on these islands. You will feel the Island Spirits when you listen to the music.
Cover Artist: Honey Costa
My spirited watercolors and collages are a reflection of my personal interests in life. I live in a world of color thru the inspirational ambiance and beauty of birds, tropical vistas and people of the Caribbean and Florida. My years of travel and living aboard a sailboat have enhanced my awareness of nature and resulted in my clear, bright colors. It is my joy to capture these colors of our tropical paradise and create pleasure for the viewer.
You may contact Honey at honeywtrclrs@comcast.net
Island Attitudes
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It is really interesting to visit as many places on an island as you can in order to learn and try to understand the social beat. This gives a much better understand- ing of the music. However, it is not always a simple thing. There are sometimes several different cultures on the island, and in many cases the tourist landing areas present a different face and influence. It can be well worth the time to slow down and experience the multiple facets of an island and compare the differences in attitudes between them.
Island Passions
Cover Art Commissioned by ANSHU, aka Ann Shuey
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There is a significant range of music styles on this CD. They come from many Island passions especially felt in this current chaotic era. These passions range from Rhumba fast exotic dancing to Rhumba close and slow dancing. There are deep feelings expressed about the loss of money, homes and jobs in songs like “I Just Can’t Take Anymore” and the Reggae-style song, “Work Hard and No Fun.” In order to keep a positive attitude we have funky rhythmic styles as well, along with passionate Latin styles for exotic but easy listening. With all this passion, we still need steel drum party music, as in “Let’s Party,” to keep our island moods in balance. Cover Art by ANSHU Ann Shuey, or ANSHU, as she signs her work, enjoys painting finely detailed interiors, buildings and an occasional landscape: painting a picture that records a fleeting moment, conveys an emotion and tells a story while creating an image designed to arouse the viewer’s curiosity. Her favorite subject matter is people, especially children, which she considers the greatest challenge. Ann’s work has been shown and won awards in Florida, W. Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. She does commissioned work from photos, including pets, wedding portraits and family photos. For more information, you may contact her at anshu555@comcast.net. You may see more of her work on Facebook at anshuart and in the Member Gallery at www.pineislandart.com.
Island Blues & Jazz
Cover Art by Madelyn Moffat
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Every once in a while we find ourselves in a darkened room listening to the heart and soul of music — Blues and Jazz. These places may be far from the beaten path and still filled with knowledgeable music lovers. The musicians are seasoned veterans of soul music and they know how to pluck your heartstrings and evoke deep passions. These types of places throughout the Caribbean and surrounding areas have stimulated me, especially after my experiences living and working in the New Orleans area. Cover Artist Madelyn Moffat Madelyn lives in Southwest Florida and gathers her inspiration for painting from the abundance of nature in her local surroundings. She grew up in a musical family, and the art on this cover is created from those memories. You may see more of Madelyn’s work at www.pineislandart.com in the Member Gallery and at www.heronsglenartistgroup.org.
Island Ecstasy
Cover Art Commissioned by Uschi Lanier www.pineislandart.com
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This CD is true to its name because it takes some of the best types of Caribbean music and provides examples of breathtakingly lavish sounds. From “Caribbean Dancing” to “Flamenco of Love,” the music both excites and showers you with an ecstasy of beautiful sounds. The Caribbean truly is a melting pot of many stimulating styles of music. You will not be able to sit still and your imagination will take over and you will be teleported to the islands. Join me in feeling and dreaming about the magic of the Caribbean. Cover Artist Uschi Lanier Uschi is a retired teacher from Germany who now lives in Florida where she fulfills her life-long love of painting with strong, vivid colors. For this painting, she wants to thank her friend Peter Kemp for sharing some of his great photos as reference material. You may see more of Uschi’s paintings at www.pineislandart.com in the Member Gallery.
Island Birth
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There is a variety of island music on this CD, including Samba, Bossa Nova, Calypso, Modern Latin, and differing styles of Salsa from the Mediterranean to New York. There are also a few jazz and rock specialty songs stimulated by island birthings as well. Islands in the Oceans come from upheavals of the earths tectonic plates and from resulting volcanoes. This primitive birthing of islands is continuously occurring. The energy at the interface of the sky, earth and water is always there on the islands and maybe that’s why special and exciting music comes from these places. I’m always drawn to the islands where my emotions run wild and music flows out of me. Being on an island while this birthing is taking place stirs up very primitive feelings and you feel the rhythms of the cosmos and you will do something creative. Review from RadioIndy:
Sink your toes in the sand and order up a tall tropical drink as you sit back and enjoy the refreshing “Island Birth” by Frank Tuma. Tuma has compiled a wonderful selection of island music splashed with flavorful textures of Latin and jazz. Production is first-rate as the multi-layered instruments are well mixed and tempos are moderate with an uplifting spirit. The zest of each instrument really brings forth the essence of a tropical paradise and invigorates one’s mind and body. “Wild Bossa Nova” is an exciting arrangement in a call-and-response form from the bright synth horns and guitar. A striking synth brass section carries a delightful melody in “New York Salsa” as the percussion keeps a solid beat. Bob Marley and/or Harry Belafonte fans will want to check out “Island Birth,” as it is an engaging collection of energetic Latin/jazz music from a tropical setting.
-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Isla Magnifica
Cover Art: “Night Descends” by Dianna Willman
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The variations in culture around the Caribbean bring out the exciting and vast differences in music styles throughout the area. The beautiful sensuality of the Cumbia to the reckless abandon of the Samba are examples of the contrast. Even in raucous and boisterous Steel Drum music there are deep soulful feelings causing spiritual arousal that cannot help but bring positive feelings to even a troubled life. The Rhumba brings out graceful dance movements that are in step with the rhythms of the Cosmos. Even on a bad, incoherent day these exciting beats and unusual accompaniments ultimately bring us back to a happy mood. Even if we are only occasional visitors to these beautiful places we are so affected by the sounds, tastes and sights we don’t want to leave. However, most of us have to leave, but the songs on this CD take us back to the beautiful Islands. Review from RadioIndy:
“Isla Magnifica” by Frank Tuma is best likened to a picture-perfect tropical paradise, musically speaking that is. These instrumental tunes take on a lively Caribbean groove, engaging listeners with thrilling rhythms, native percussion, triumphant brass arrangements, and bright steel pans. The musicianship is high throughout this CD. “Topsy – Turvy” displays all of these delightful qualities, while introducing the captivating sounds of the native flute. “I Just Can’t Leave This Place” shifts vibes rather dramatically, steering toward a softer, more serene acoustic guitar- driven sound. Whatever the song profile – fast or slow, serene or vibrant – Frank Tuma tackles it with island flair.”
-Xavier P. and RadioIndy.com