David Arend - David Arend: Astral Travels (LP)

David Arend's "Astral Travels" is a captivating journey through sound, released on November 6, 2015, under the Navona label. This 42-minute album is a testament to Arend's ability to blend nature-inspired compositions with celestial explorations, creating a unique and immersive experience.

The album begins with "Sequoia Sempervirens," a three-part suite that evokes the grandeur and tranquility of redwood forests. The first movement, "Light Through Limbs - Redwood Grove," captures the dappled sunlight filtering through the towering trees, while the second, "Nightfall - Pre-dawn," immerses the listener in the quiet, mystical hours of the night. The final movement, "F(l)ight," adds a dynamic element, suggesting the rustling of leaves or the movement of creatures within the grove.

The second half of the album, "Voyager '3 Sheets to the Wind'," is a six-part suite that draws inspiration from the Voyager spacecraft's grand tour of the outer planets. Each movement corresponds to a different planet, from the swift "Escape Velocity" to the distant and icy "Neptune." The final movement, "Interstellar Space," ventures beyond our solar system, leaving the listener adrift in the vast, silent expanse of the cosmos.

Throughout "Astral Travels," David Arend demonstrates a remarkable ability to translate natural and cosmic phenomena into evocative musical landscapes. The album is a testament to his skill as a composer and his passion for exploring the boundaries of human experience.