If there is one place angels seem to be especially close, it is in music. Karen Salicath Jamali’s Angel Pullination brings nine significant angels to life and makes us feel their tender and compassionate presence. The solo piano melodies radiate love, hope and faith. The word Pullination has an interesting back story. When the album was uploaded, the word revealed itself in the title. “I have no idea how this happened, but maybe it is a new word that describes the music better?” says Karen. I fully agree. There is something new and different here, a certain pull from above. Angel Pullination is a delight from start to finish.

Karen Salicath Jamali is a multi award-winning composer, pianist, and producer, and painter, sculptor, and photographer for the last 30 years. She was born in Denmark and living and working in NYC and Florida. It wasn’t until an accident that caused a head injury and a near-death experience that Karen started to play the piano spontaneously, previously she had never played the piano. The head injury amazingly opened up a new world and she began to play and compose, self-taught, beautiful and meditative music, which healed her. She has released seven albums, including Sound of Angels (2020), Hope of Angels (2022) and today’s topic, Angel Pullination.

Angel Calling
The opening track is called Angel Calling. Notice the rapid high and low notes that probably indicate how the angels are trying to contact us. It is a key track. It tells us that the angels are here and we only have to “tune in” to receive their guiding messages. I love the soft yet distinct sound of the piano and the recording is flawless. Karen is an incredibly gifted pianist. Angel Calling is a terrific album opener!

It is time to get to know the archangels. First out is Angel Jofiel (The Angel of Wisdom). Often depicted in iconography holding a flaming sword, Jofiel is a guardian of wisdom and holy texts. The melody gives the impression of someone who takes that job seriously and there is a hint of melancholy too. Next out is Angel Sabrael (The Angel of Miracles). As one of the seven archangels, Sabrael makes us feel that the impossible is possible. The gentle and kind sounding melody seems to underline that we have to adjust our ears and hearts to a certain frequency to experience miracles.

Angel Zadkiel (The Angel of Surrender)
 is known from the Bible as the Angel of the Lord who holds back Abraham to prevent him from sacrificing his son. Hence, Zadkiel is the angel of mercy and surrender. From Karen’s composition and playing, we sense the difficult situations when the angel comes to life. It is incredibly beautiful and utterly sad at the same time.

One of the finest pieces on the album is Angel Aura. The angels are near, close enough to see their colorful aura and experience to a divine presence. It is an exquisite track in every sense of the word. Angel of Hope feels lighter and more optimistic. Crystal Angel is dedicated to one of the many representations of angels that we humans make.

Angel Anael (The Angel of Love)
It is impossible not to like the bright and carefree Angel Anael (The Angel of Love). It radiates positivity, kindness and good feelings. The track is only two minutes long, but the time is well spent. The Angel Adnachiel (The Angel of Adventure) is a bit hesitant, but it has a lovely melody.

The two Angel Melchizedek (The Angel of Peace) and Angel Raguel (The Angel of Harmony and Justice) round off the album in a contemplative way. Reflecting on the state of the world and how the angels might guide us, seem necessary. It is a vital part of the listening experience.

In conclusion: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free,” Michelangelo said. Listening to Karen Salicath Jamali’s Angel Pullination, that same feeling of making angels come to life through art is everywhere to be found. Each of the angels are presented with incredible skill, love and humanity. It is angles in a classical sense, yet the solo piano is modern and accessible. Also, notice the wonderful cover artwork, which features Karen’s art.

As a concept album about divine messengers, is it possible to listen without focusing on angels? Yes! It is a fantastic solo piano release, filled with great compositions and terrific performances. Its neo classical sound makes it perfect for reading, creative work or as background music to a romantic dinner. It is a very well-balanced album, so you can safely put it on reply. Also, if you listen on Spotify, make sure to check out the wonderful small videos (Spotify canvases) that come with each track, many of them also feature Karen’s art.

Few albums are so special that they lead to the invention of a new word, but Angel Pullination is that kind of release. Check it out and see where the angels might take you.

Meditative, soothing, and deeply interesting, Jamali paints a vivid image of a utopian angelic world.

Born in Denmark and living in New York City, Karen has an interesting story, which reflects itself in her music’s mystique. Karen began her music career after a near-death experience that caused a head injury. After this incident, Karen found that she could miraculously play the piano despite never having played it previously.

This strange yet fascinating musical miracle can be seen in Karen’s central aesthetic of angelic serenity and divinity.

It feels wrong to call “Angel Pollination” an album, as it is more akin to a soundtrack or an experience. It’s music that isn’t meant to get people dancing and grooving; it’s music meant for ambience and sitting still too.

Songs like “Angel Jofiel”, Angel Sabrael” and “Angel Zadkiel”, have a Final Fantasy feel to them that transports you into your own fantasy world of your imagination.

Instead of each song having its own distinct sound, the album is structured to feel like one continuously changing song that progresses slowly throughout the duration of the album.

“Angel Melchizedek” is my favourite song on the album and has a soft and sombre tone to represent the sound of peace, which is what the angel represents.

The album closes with “Angel Raguel,” the angel of harmony and justice, which might be what the album represents: world harmony through music. The song feels like a cinematic closing and almost like a montage of every angel that is featured in the album’s tracklist.

If “Angel Calling” is the opening of the book into Karen’s intriguing, biblically driven world, then “Angel Raguel” feels like a solid last chapter with a subtle yet satisfying ending.

 With this album, Karen showcases her careful soundscape crafting and her ability to make music that offers the listener a unique, profound experience rather than just a few more songs for their playlist.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1984 edition) describes the word 'Angel' as a 'divine attendant or messenger', or a 'lovely, obliging or innocent person'. And merriam-webster.com describes Angel as a 'spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary, and often as a special protector of an individual or nation'. Of course, angels may come in various forms, but the adjectives we use to describe them are, more or less, along the lines as above – divine, innocent, and spiritual. Now, how does one convey the depth of these terms auditorily? Easier said than done – for most rely solely on the tried and tested methods of the past composers from start to finish (which is, to an extent, a reasonable practice), but with little emphasis on creativity and uniqueness. Thankfully, though, it is a wonderfully different case with Karen Salicath Jamali's latest album 'Angel Pollination' which not only oozes with creativity and emotive dynamics but also, with a thunderous calm, explores the very depths of the terms – divine, innocent, and spiritual.

In the works for eleven months, Angel Pollination (the latter word being inspired wordplay for 'Poll the Nation') is a meditative canticle, an eleven-track piano album, with each track associated with a unique angel and dream. And here is where Jamali showcases profound creativity: she uses different scale modes to represent various qualities such as justice, love, adventure, peace, and hope. This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest attributes of this magnificent album. And this, combined with the New York-based pianist's signature style, incorporating quasi-arhythmic patterns with the left hand's ever-flowing ostinato, works like a superlative charm capable of transporting the listener to an entirely different world filled with infinite space and infinite goodness.

Each track is meant as a tribute to a trait. And a different scale mode is used to depict the same. As you listen, you can sense the angel in the room, through Karen's musical gift. Angel Calling', written in the key of G minor, employs the harmonic minor scale sprinkled with a few natural minor clashes, to create that feeling of yearning for help, enhanced no less by its 'D-D-F-D' theme. 'Angel Sabrael (The Angel of Miracles)', written in C natural minor, intelligently avoids foraying into bombastic territory, instead utilizing a three-chord progression over a topline that switches over to the higher octave towards the end – which is all it takes to accomplish conveying the 'miraculous' element that angels are associated with. 'Crystal Angel', written in Eb minor pentatonic scale over a single chord in the left hand is one of the album's most dynamically emotive pieces, with the mf – p transition as the octave changes performed most evocatively in an attention-retaining manner.

'Angel Anael (The Angel of Love)', written in A major (or D Lydian), oozes with tenderness in every note from the first to the last, utilizing three chords, over a standout theme that etches into your memory ever further, not least on account of the very first chord (D Major) used. Angel Adnaciel (The Angel of Adventure)' echoes shades of Mozart ( a major complement to Jamali) with its playful affection using just two chords – the A Major and the E Major.

'Angel Raguel (The Angel of Harmony and Justice)' demonstrates a profound exploration from key to key – starting with A natural minor, which then modulates for a while into D minor before concluding in the major key of G – depicting that quest for justice and harmony, as represented by the angel Raguel, and is among the album's most profoundly narrative pieces.

 Each track is anywhere between a duration of 1:51 and 4:01, and yet, perhaps inevitably so, because of the album's immersive traits, time bears little meaning in the universe it creates for the listener. And Jamali must be credited for this, first and foremost, for weaving a sonically immersive and beautiful experience inspired by the stories of angels and her own experiences upon the Steinway. Credit also goes to the mastering engineer Maria Triana for churning out a superb mix with balanced reverb that complements the storytelling with a surreal charm.

At a duration of thirty-one minutes and thirty-nine seconds, Jamali's Angel Pollination is a profound addition to the classical and new-age genres, and an incredible lesson for musical students on how to approach relevant and familiar themes with uniqueness and honesty. Each track of this album is an ode to both the immortal and mortal elements in mankind, and a prayer invoking those three traits of angels aforementioned: Divine, Innocent, and Spiritual.

About Karen Salicath Jamali Karen Salicath Jamali is a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, producer, and professional American artist with over 30 years of experience in painting, sculpting, and photography. Born in Denmark and currently residing in NYC and Florida, she is also a voting member of the Recording Academy.

Music Story: Karen's journey into music began unexpectedly after an accident and near-death experience that led to her spontaneously playing the piano. Prior to this, she had never played the instrument. The head injury opened up a new world for her, and she started composing and playing self-taught, beautiful, and meditative music that had a healing impact. Following a three-year recovery period, in 2015, she began hearing music in her dreams, leading her to record and perform what she was experiencing. Over the course of seven years, she has produced seven albums and over 2500 compositions. Karen has performed at Carnegie Hall seven times with her music.

Accolades: Karen's achievements include being the Grand Winner of The Akademia Award in Los Angeles for the best classical song in January 2023, featuring her track "Angel Arcadia." Her album "Hope of Angels" won the Global Music Award in April 2023, and she received the Global Music Award for composers. Her latest album, "Hope of Angels," is on the first ballot for Grammy® Consideration in the categories of Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album. Additionally, her composition "Angel Gabriel" is being considered for the Grammy® in the category of Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

Recognition: Karen has been recognized for her work extensively. She won The Academy Award in Los Angeles for the best classical song in July 2022 for "Angel Gabriel." The same track was a finalist in the World Songwriting Award for the best alternative song in 2022. Her track "Angel Gabriel" was a number one hit on Berkshire Media Group Radios Los Angeles in September 2022.

Artistry and Influence: Karen's albums, like "Hope of Angels," and "Sound Of Angels" were selected for Grammy® Consideration, showcasing her ability to blend contemporary instrumental music with artistic expression. Her artistic background as a painter, sculptor, and photographer has greatly influenced her music, which often reflects themes of angels and spirituality. She believes angels represent energy, frequency, and vibration, and her art and music aim to bring the energy of angels closer to humans in various forms.

Artistic Accomplishments: Aside from her music career, Karen's art has earned her global recognition. Educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, School of Design, she has participated in over 180 exhibitions in museums and galleries worldwide. Her works have been featured in prestigious venues like the Louvre Museum in Paris. Karen's sculptures and installations convey spiritual and universal themes, often drawing on the human figure as a symbolic language.

Karen Salicath Jamali's remarkable journey as a musician and artist is marked by her ability to create deeply emotive compositions and artworks that transcend boundaries and touch the soul. With a unique blend of creativity and spirituality, she continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Karen Salicath Jamali – Angel Pollination

 Performed on an 80-year-old Steinway grand piano, the latest album from pianist Karen Salicath Jamali, Angel Pollination, features songs inspired by – and guided by – angels. And by angelic nature, Jamali received this music through dreams, translating each spiritual, musical message into 11 hopeful, slightly lamenting piano pieces. Does Angel Pollination – which describes specific angels and their unique healing energies – truly ring of the divine? Let’s hit the highlights:

The first track, “Angel Calling,” sets the tone for the rest of Angel Pollination – it offers rich lower arpeggios, twinkling notes above, and…an overall sense of grief? Loss? Perhaps the aching human heart before finding peaceful angelic light? And the piano features space-giving sustain with perhaps a touch of organic-sounding reverb. 

Before continuing, I want to mention the piano’s clarity and blissfully natural sound; this is the result of legendary mastering engineer Maria Triana. Having worked on music from Britney Spears to Bob Dylan, her skills at enhancing the final mix are world-renowned, and once again on audible display.
Now, where were we?Moving through tracks two and three – “Angel Jofiel (The Angel of Wisdom)” and “Angel Sabrael (The Angel of Miracles)” – I’m discovering these 11 songs aren’t necessarily independent pieces, but continuations of themes introduced in “Angel Calling.” Things do change, but more noticeably on “Angel Aura,” “Angel of Hope,” and with more trepidatiously joyful autonomy, “Angel Anael – The Angel of Love.” In fact, with its glowing beauty and emotional brevity, this might be my favorite piece.

Closing with “Angel Raguel (The Angel of Harmony and Justice),” I sense acceptance; a glowing, peaceful emittance from on high; a surrender, or perhaps the discovery of being wonderful simply by being. This is another more uplifting piece that, while evoking a strand of trepidation, remains unwavering in its bestowment of heart-swelling grace. But…is it good? Sure, you could label this “New Age,” or “Music for Relaxation,” or even “Classical,” but these labels are limiting, and therefore, a tad ungracious. Angel Pollination is certainly those things, but so much more: it’s a voice in the dark; a fear in the heart leading to something forever fearless; a light on the soul when the body dims. Angel Pollination is a spiritual means to rejuvenation, and Karen Salicath Jamali simply divines the healing notes from dreams to keys.
 

Karen Salicath Jamali - 'Angel Admael'

Over time, the quest for the divine has always inspired people to perform, as well as create, wondrous feats that occupy a significant portion of our history books. And as in life, so it is in the arts – never least of all, music. And over the centuries, most music inspired by stories of the divine has auditorily ranged from the bombastically epic, right to the intimately calm. And nearly all of it leaves a mark upon its listener – often long lasting enough to influence various – and major - real-world decisions. But, apart from the Good Book and the stories it inspires, what are the various technical factors at play that make spiritually-moving music so mesmerizingly inspirational so as to transport the listener to an altogether different realm – as accomplished over the centuries by the likes of Bach, Chopin, Barber and right down to the present day? One may very well be able to achieve more than a few precise answers to that question, thanks to multi-award winning composer-pianist and artist Karen Salicath Jamali’s newest piano composition, titled ‘Angel Admael’.

Written in the key of G Major, Angel Admael is that wonderful piece of classical music that accomplishes aplenty in the technical specifics, while simultaneously retaining an aura of humility and peace – from start to finish. Inspired by the story of, and therefore named for, Archangel Admael (thought to be the Angel of Creation), the piano piece, right from the first note struck, is a prayer in every sense. A prayer for serenity and peace. And these two all-important traits are sonically depicted by beautifully written phrasings and themes. The theme makes itself immediately apparent in the first few seconds, with the left hand performing Chopin-like phrasings and ostinati, often squeezing in the odd meter at the proper juncture, which works in all the right ways. What stands out, however, is the fact that the left hand navigates the entirety of the piece using just two chords, and yet does it so profoundly that not for a moment does it feel inadequate or monotonous. The variations in emoting via the dynamics and tempo (the rubatos in particular play a key role in giving this piece a voice that reaches out), and the mixing of the piano sound. And the theme’s writing must be rightly commended not only for its simultaneous simplicity and dexterity, but also for its immense attention-retaining capacity it possesses on account of the former. However, it’s not just the theme.

The modulation from the middle octaves onto the higher octaves are so daftly and expertly dealt with, that they signify the shift from one realm to another, as inspired by what the Good Book says. Another creative touch to this ‘part hymn, part Nocturne’ is the near-absence of minor-form elements, which in itself is most unusual in spiritual music. However, it not only works in a well-justified manner, but also serves as an illustration to the traits of the Archangel Admael, said to watch and care over every inhabitant of the world.

Quasi-improvisatory, and yet each note struck with deliberate precision, Jamali has woven an intricately emotive performance that is entirely devoid of malice, that transports the listener to an other-worldly realm, aided in part by the well mixed reverbs applied to the piano sounds. At a duration of two minutes and twenty seconds, Angel Admael is a prayer that has the capacity to draw back the listener multiple times. Superbly written and performed, Jamali’s Angel Admael is a profound example for students, contemporary new-age writers, and performers on how to write and perform enchantingly powerful music that strikes a sheerly brilliant balance between sticking to the basics and injecting creativity. To learn more about Karen Salicath Jamali's music and art, please visit her official website. Her music can also be found on Spotify

Karen Salicath Jamali Announces Release of New Single "Angel Admael" The Angel of Creation   New York, NY - July 5, 2023 - Karen Salicath Jamali, a renowned composer, pianist, and artist, is excited to announce the release of her latest single, "Angel Admael - The Angel of Creation." This uplifting and relaxing piano composition is accompanied by a stunning cover made from one of Karen's sculptures. The single is now available on all major online music platforms.  "Angel Admael" is inspired by the archangel of creation, known as one of the seven archangels assigned to Earth and its creation. Karen Salicath Jamali believes that it is an urgent time to call for the assistance of Angel Admael, who watches over every inhabitant of our planet and cares about every creation, big or small. Her single aims to bring optimism, happiness, and relaxation to listeners, offering a moment of respite in today's challenging times.  Listeners can experience "Angel Admael" on all online music platforms by visiting the following link.  Karen Salicath Jamali is also thrilled to announce that her upcoming album, "Angel Pollination," is scheduled for release on August 1st, 2023. The album promises to be a refreshing addition to the music industry, offering inventive and imaginative compositions that set Karen apart as a truly unique and talented artist. In recognition of her exceptional talent and creative vision, Karen Salicath Jamali has garnered numerous accolades and awards throughout her career. Her compositions have received critical acclaim, and she has been honored with prestigious awards such as The Akademia Award for Best Classical Song and the Global Music Award for Best Composer. Her previous albums, including "Hope of Angels" and "Sound of Angels," have been recognized for Grammy® Consideration.  Karen Salicath Jamali's contributions to the music industry extend beyond her remarkable compositions. She is also an accomplished artist, painter, sculptor, and photographer, with a body of work exhibited in renowned museums and galleries worldwide. Her artwork, much like her music, carries a spiritual and transformative quality that invites viewers to explore deeper emotional meanings. About Karen Salicath Jamali: Karen Salicath Jamali is a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, and producer, as well as a professional American artist. Born in Denmark and currently residing in New York City and Florida, Karen's music is the result of a profound personal journey that began after a near-death experience.   Her compositions, characterized by their meditative and healing qualities, have garnered critical acclaim and recognition from prestigious institutions such as the Grammy® Awards. Karen's artistry extend s beyond music, as she is an accomplished painter, sculptor, and photographer, with her works exhibited worldwide.

The Archangel of Earth. Watching over our spiritual world and the movements of humanity and the planet, he knows the energies, the eternal transmissions between nature and the elements. In our historical periods in turmoil, his presence or his knowledge can only comfort us. Karen Salicath Jamali invokes it, reveals it to our eyes and to our consciences. His wandering beyond the borders is concealed in structural arpeggios in constant repetition, on which the observations and visions of the divine creature are amplified and impose themselves, slowly, tenderly.A lullaby, reassuring and comforting. A murmur whose eloquent simplicity is a rare and precious gift. "Angel Admael" walks his harmonies and prayers in each and every one of us. It brings a light that we no longer expected, transforming the illusion of peace into a formidable conviction. Karen Salicath Jamali continues to explore the invisible and lovingly and serenely donates her inner adventures to us. It is only up to us to welcome them, with humility and love.