The Shape of Light
Jeff Ball's The Shape of Light is an album filled with meditative and tribal like melodies. Some will soothe your soul and others will shake it. The peaceful rhythms are great to Yoga to and the more fevered ones are perfect to perform your latest Tai Chi moves to.
"Finding Promise" has a buzz-like sound in the intro, which could be a trick to gear listeners up for the remainder of the track. The percussion work is very pensive, but as the track goes on one might picture themselves in the middle of some far-off land searching for something that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
On "Metta Prayer," Ball's Native American flute playing is hypnotic. Along with the percussion and what sounds like an acoustic guitar or possibly a harp, the thrum of the instruments blend together to form a package that is music to a listener's ears.
"Escape Of The Medicine Man" is a powerful track that justifies the rule of such a healer. There is percussion and what sounds like a shaker which might be used as a signal that the shaman is bracing to make his dignified entrance. Ball's flute playing seals the deal and it is as if he is calling to the Medicine Man and he and listeners cannot help but heed the summons.
The title track does its name well as the percussion work tapers in and out as does a luminescent shine. Then Ball enters in with his flute which is calm and flows brilliantly with the light percussion. This song could be in a motion picture where someone is visiting a dangerous jungle, but will ultimately prevail in their quest. The varying timbre of Ball's notes personifies his skill. There are also deeper sounds that contrast the upbeat sound of the woodwind instrument.
"Tranquility" has an even stronger jungle appeal. Not in an overpowering sense, but in a calming one. The name fits the song as it will put listeners in serenity as they listen to Ball's astute flute playing.
Jeff Ball's The Shape of Light is an illuminating album that has beats that are both feral and sweet. It is a record that will spark you to step into the radiance and embrace what Ball is offering.