Wind, Rock, Sea & Flame: Aloha Au Ia 'Oe

Throughout the 2000s, six-time Grammy nominee Peter Kater took the therapeutic nature of his melodic piano music to a higher level with several series of recordings specifically designed around nature and healing-related themes -- first on the four-volume Elements Series set exploring Earth, Water, Air, and Fire for Real Music (2005) and then, between two outside projects with guitar great Dominic Miller, five volumes of Healing on Point of Light Records. Kater takes the same thematic, meditational approach to this gentle and gorgeously performed and produced work inspired by his love for the Hawaiian Islands and the planets oceans. Featuring Katers mystical and dreamy piano floating atop hypnotic atmospheres and accompanied by the occasional touch of acoustic bass, cello, soprano sax, and bamboo percussion, the hourlong meditation is evenly divided into four other thematic natural elements (as per the album title) but seems designed for a free-flowing listening experience. Though the beautiful dreamscape he creates makes for a perfect relaxation or massage soundtrack, the brief liner notes remind the listener that the pianist/composers work is akin to painting on a "canvas of love." The setting and source of his ambient magic are further revealed by the albums subtitle Aloha Au Ia Oe, the Hawaiian expression for "I Love You." ~ Jonathan Widran