Born and raised in New Jersey, visionary-composer-musician, Merrill Collins dedicated her life to music at the tender age four. By young adulthood she’d achieved a Master’s in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
“Music is naturally, organically and inseparably connected to life, just as the shapes of DNA/RNA are spirals within our bodies, spirals have movement and constant flow and are an integral shape in nature.”
In 1983, Collins would go on to create her label, Spiraling Music, an institution which has been the central hub and publisher of all of music.
A collaborator at heart, she has worked with some equally talented musicians throughout the years. In her own words, “My players often interact with each other like a musical conversation, where each person’s intuition guides their commentaries and input…”
With a sonic passion and a heart dedicated to making wholesome music that is legitimately good for the world, Merrill has seen her talents validated further in her work with the United Nations, UNCHR Human Rights Day, Amnesty International, United Way, UN World Habitat Day, and more.
Her previously recorded works include a library of classical, acoustic and new age soundscapes such as, Sincero, Ethereal Escapes, Minute Of Silence, Cello & Piano Sanctuary, and so much more. Her latest collaboration, Every Man, Woman and Child, Yoga Flow Suite (EMWC, YFS), the soundtrack to a peace-inspiring curriculum by the same name, is a richly relaxing journey into a soothing sonic vortex, and the perfect sound tapestry for one’s yoga practice.
What you all may or may not know about our small team here at The Ark of Music, is that we are PASSIONATE about great New-Age music, and thus have a modest library of our own. EMWC, YFS, immediately qualifies for said library as track one, Om Mani Padme Hum (featuring Kimberly Haynes), guides listeners across a 20-minute celestial carpet ride of warm, world-tones and soothing vocal mantras. (Think: Snatam Kaur & Deva Premal)
The soothing tones of harmonium and sitar open the album’s 2nd track, Ambient Journey (featuring David Vito Gregoli), an aptly titled 20 minute reduction in mental chatter. Refreshingly void of lyrics, this ambient composition opens space for the mind to relax and expel unneeded clutter.
The album’s final track, We The People (featuring Kimberly Haynes, David Vito Gregoli, Laura Halladay, and Maksim Velichkin), comes on softly and slowly with the fiddle’s emotive addiction. Serving as a peaceful rally cry, the track’s title offers much—without saying much. If still enough, the listener—the organism—might just begin to experience how change can happen when it is simply allowed—and in the same breath, how contradictory our toil and hard work can be.
IN CONCLUSION…
Deluxe and densely relaxing. A sonic and spiritual respite. What the musical world—as well as the rest of the world—need so much more of today. Merrill Collins’ latest album collaboration, Every Man, Woman and Child, Yoga Flow Suite, continues in masterful fashion her healing voyage of sound in this lifetime. Perfect for your next yoga class. Perfect for unwinding at home. Perfect for that busy commute in the car. If you’ve not yet taken the time to launch your own New-Age/Relaxation music library, here’s your chance.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Snatam Kaur meets Sangeeta Kaur with just a dash of jazz-lounge…
BELOW: Listen to Merrill Collins’s new album, Every Man, Woman and Child Yoga Flow Suite, and connect with her website and social media platforms. Please support Merrill Collins by visiting her online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!