Rock goes Zen

One of this year’s most exciting new age music releases is the first installment in the Modern Meditations series from CMH Label Group. The first two albums in the series will be released November 17th. They are called Modern Meditations the rock classics and Modern Meditations the modern classics. You can sample rock classics here and modern classics here.

The covers looks like this:

Modern Meditations is, according to their website:

… transforming your favorite songs into meditation music for the rock & roll generation—no pan flutes or wind chimes allowed. Shimmering electric guitars and warm percussion create serene instrumentals to wash away your stress.

On these two first albums you can hear songs like “Imagine,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Beautiful Day,” “Clocks,” and “Ray of Light”.

But this is only the mere beginning. CMH Label Group will release albums with new age music versions of songs by Bob Marley, The Beatles, U2, Radiohead and Coldplay – and even one with indie classics!

After listening to the samples of the first two albums, I feel that CMH Label Group has found an interesting niche; there is definitely room for this in the “relaxation music” category. The production is very professional and well done. Many rock and pop fans will for sure enjoy these releases.

But from a new age music point of view I am a little more uncertain. For instance take their version of Madonna’s Ray of light; the original song with William Orbit’s magnificent soundscape is filled with emotions – while the Modern Meditations version (judging by the short sample – the longer version might be more interesting) is just, well, nothing but a chilled atmosphere. But that might be the intention, right?

This is just in: Even before the first albums are released, Modern Meditations has signed an agreement with World-Renowned Luxury Hotel Post Ranch Inn. Read the press release here.