Rainbow Road

This is a gorgeous album featuring the violinist Nancy Shoop-Wu. The music combines the neo-classical and New Age genres in a seamless manner.

Shoop-Wu combines her violin with other natural instruments, including piano, Hawaiian guitar, acoustic bass, and percussion. The music is gentle and tranquil, great for relaxing and as quiet background music. The elements of Hawaiian style and the natural ambiance of the islands are lightly sprinkled into the overall musical sound through the pulsing rhythms and some of the instrumental blends.

One of the prettiest tracks is Track 6: Lullaby. The sweetly delicate melody is accompanied with a guitar. On Track 8: Carry Me Home, Ms Shoop-Wu provides vocals to a charming ballad. The final four tracks were previously released on the EP “Beautiful Mana’o.” These include Track 11: Ma’noa Rain. This song features a beautiful, haunting melody and impeccable ensemble work.

This is a lovely CD that’s quite fine for relaxing, healing modalities, laid-back ritual gatherings and feasting. I hope to hear more from this talented artist!

~review by Elizabeth Hazel

Artist: Nancy Shoop-Wu
Lei Hoka Music, 2017
12 tracks, 48 minutes
CD Baby – CD $13.99, download $9.99