Bill Binkelman/Host and Producer

KFAI-FM  "Wind and Wire"

Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN

New Age Reporter

"Bill Binkelman is a long-time icon in the industry" 

From newcomer Michele Ippolito comes the album Mystic Moods, an excellent collection of serene electronic ambient/classic new age compositions in the same vein as Liquid Mind, Robert Haig Coxon, and others like them. Equating someone’s debut recording to Liquid Mind is a bold statement, to be sure. However (after multiple playings of the album), I am confident in my assessment. Ippolito does belong in the company of Chuck Wild (a.k.a. Liquid Mind), albeit perhaps not as his equal yet, but she is certainly close behind. The seven tracks on Mystic Moods are lush, floating soundscapes, played out on an assortment of synths and keyboards, notably chorals, strings, plucked harp, and also “classic” new age sounds and textures. While the recording is short (just a few ticks under 30 minutes), what’s here is of such high quality that I can’t imagine anyone complaining – just hit the repeat button for goodness’ sake!

While there is a certain sameness to the music from track to track (obviously intentional so as not to present jarring juxtapositions song-to-song), upon closer inspection (if one listens intently on headphones), the subtle, even pronounced, differences between selections are readily apparent. The opening “Destination” features ethereal chorals and delicate plucked harp while “Malibu” emerges as closer to hushed spacemusic with gently ebbing and flowing tones and washes anchored by a plaintive and lovely solo melody which resembles a woman soprano and the added sounds of soft bell-trees. The title track begins with harp and lilting flute cushioned by soft synth washes, fleshed out by the later addition of strings. “Sunset” presents the kind of massed chorals that Larry Kucharz uses on some of his recordings and the effect from Ippolito is no less mesmerizing than Kucharz attains on his albums. The relative starkness of the chorals, uncluttered with much in the way of accompaniment, introduces a minimalism that perfectly captures the essence of the song’s title while still glowing with warmth and beauty. “Spa” closes the CD with classic electronic new age elements flowing serenely under gentle harp and plucked guitar. There is a rich emotional resonance permeating all the pieces on Mystic Moods despite the presence of so many overt electronic components in the music.

Michele Ippolito’s debut CD is one of the best first efforts I have heard in years. It’s near impossible to believe that she is a newcomer. Everything from the mix, production, quality of the synths, and even the subdued simplicity and beauty of the album’s (professional looking) graphics and fonts points to this being the work of someone who has been around for a long time. For lovers of calm and peaceful electronic new age and spacemusic (as well as ambient fans who don’t require dark soundscapes or minor tonalities), I can’t recommend Mystic Moods highly enough. I have no doubt you will be as impressed and delighted as I was.

Spike O'Dell of W.G.N. Radio Says: 

It's Beautiful. I was listening to it while preparing for the show this morning. Great job with it...

 Capt. Christopher of "Cheezmuzik" WTUL New Orleans Says:

 "Listen to this one and trash your TV. Mystic Moods takes you on wings of sound to a land of inner peace and tranquility"...

Serge Kozlovsky:Republic of Belarus

Michele Ippolito
Mystic Moods
(c) (p) 2005 Ippolito Music
7tks/30mins

Having returned just for a moment
To a source
You’ll never be as you used to be before….

What is attractive in a new, half-hourly Michele Ippolito’s album called "Mystic Moods"? What makes this calm electronic music such a magnetic one? And why doesn’t it “set you free”?

This is a music-meditation, the music that impels you to listen attentively to your feelings, to sense your inmost wishes and stay alone with yourself. And, maybe after one has listened to "Mystic Moods" he will realize what it means as far as he had never plunged in the innermost of his own personality before. And what is hidden behind the veil of a day-to-day tumult and goals and wishes dictated by other people? What is dozing off somewhere deep in your consciousness, for the time being dispirited by the society around you, or, maybe hidden from it. And what is your true self, a real one, without far-fetched conventionalities and false masks?

Michele Ippolito’s music impels to think and feel empathy. This music expresses an inconstancy of everyday emotions and a permanency of an inexhaustible depth of human consciousness. The constancy of that inner source which rules over the life. As far as the divine is concealed deep in human consciousness and one have to learn how to feel it. It is so easy and incredibly different at the same time.

Michele Ippolito proposes to start a journey to your true self. Her music sends you back to the source which is consigned for oblivion for a while but this very source is you. With great care the musician is guiding you through emotions flashing by before your eyes like glimpsing pictures of a colour movie. You are plunged deeper and deeper all the time. This plunge brings a content to you.

Fresh and transparent, this music washes you with its warm waves. It arouses your consciousness and heals your heart. And you want to live and create over and over again because just in it the God is…

An angelic music of "Mystic Moods" is a guide of the divine to the world of humans.

Serge Kozlovsky
http://www.mkmk1.com/kozlovsky

Dave Bethke "Dream Catcher" Live365

New Age sounds with a decided Classical influence make this a perfect sound for relaxation or meditation. The compositions by Michele Ippolito are just right for bringing peace and harmony to both mind and body.

American Spa Magazine: Bridget Eldridge

Classically trained pianist Michele Ippolito used several keyboards to create the music for Mystic Moods (Penrose Records), which was influenced by contemporary music, film score arrangements, and jazz. Taking the "Spa" experience into consideration---there is even a track called "Spa"---the CD offers soothing new age music that relaxes the body and calms the mind. Says Ippolito, "I like to create music that is picturesque with unusual effects, giving attention to detail that prepares the listener's mind for the full meditative experience."

Amazing Sounds/Edgar Kogler: Barcelona Spain

MICHELE IPPOLITO:
"MYSTIC MOODS"
Penrose Records

"Mystic Moods" is a beautiful space travel based on the use of synthesizers, ideal to let imagination soar through inner worlds. The Ambient style present in the album is melodic and symphonic, full of spectacular orchestrations with synthesizers and a certain romantic character though it doesn't fall into an excessive sweetness. Michele offers us a careful selection of seven pieces in which she presents us the best of herself as a composer. The impressive orchestrations of the themes show her experience as a composer as well. The music transpires sensitivity from all its pores.

Ron Warnick: "Music Scene" Sauk Valley News

The back of the CD case explains the music well: "Soothing melodic sound voyage...soundscapes allow the listener to create their own moods". It accomplishes what it sets out to do.

Dene Bebbington/Melliflua: UK

This short debut album by Michelle Ippolito features slow motion airy washes and drones in a manner that is reminiscent of Liquid Mind. As with other relaxing and meditative new age/ambient albums the music on Mystic Moods is designed to instil a sense of peace and harmony in the listener. It does this by a delicate blend of wafting electronic clouds, piano, harp, and flute sounds.

My first impression was that the tracks are rather samey, but pay more attention and you'll notice the changes – it's like seeing cloud formations throughout the day as they gradually shift their patterns. We get started with “Destination” where airy chorale effects brush changing hues of sound across parts of the soundscape and sparing harp notes add an almost solemn emotional feel.

The track that captivates me most is “Cerebral”. Shimmering ribbons continually whoosh past, and again there are vocally tinged washes but this time they are deep or nasal conveying a sense of deep thoughts wondering about the meaning of life. The overall feel of this piece is one of earnest contemplation. The mood changes a little between tracks, so that the following piece “Mystic Mood” is somewhat lighter with plucked harp and brighter washes.

Mystic Moods is a worthy debut, generally pleasant to listen to and the right length for this kind of music that for me can become mentally wearing if too long. Comparison to Liquid Mind is apt, and anyone who enjoys his brand of restful drifting new age ambience would do well to check out Michelle's release.