ATLANTIS RISING
"Although this is Michael Diamond's debut release, it is a conceptually mature work that signals the arrival of an important new artist you'll want to add to your personal library.
Diamond blends layers of mesmerizing synthesizer tones, ranging from deep space to deep sea, with ambient guitar sounds that occasionally give way to soaring and melodic Santana- influenced leads and rhythmic grooves. He is joined on several tracks by pioneering sound healer and recording artist Steven Halpern, who liked the album so much he licensed it for distribution through his own Inner Peace Music label.
With intricately detailed compositions and lush electronic textures that evolve, morph and move around the soundfield, the listener will experience a delightful journey to magical realms."
Leading Edge Review Magazine
Atlantis Rising was featured in the
opening slot on the nationally-broadcast
Hearts Of Space radio show.
"I thought there were several pieces we could work with on your album... we'll be using some of the pieces on other shows."
Stephen Hill, Producer - Hearts Of Space
"We like your stuff. Stay in touch!"
Steve Davis, Associate Producer - Hearts Of Space
"With special guest Steven Halpern, Michael Diamond bridges New Age, rock, and meditative soundscapes, combining swirling layers of expansive synthesizer textures, cirlcling around guitars, grooves, and an otherworldly echo. If you're looking for direction to your mental drift, and want ambient music with a little more substance and momentum, 'Atlantis Rising' is your pick."
CD Baby
"I love your CD so much I'm going to feature it on the front page of CD Baby. We're REALLY picky about what goes on the front page. We get about 75 new albums a DAY coming in here now, (about 30,000 total), and yours is one of the best I've ever heard."
Derek Sivers - CD Baby
The latest from California guitarist Michael Diamond brings you right back to the essence of the therapeutic, ambient sound of cosmic music. Spotlighting Diamond's work on guitars and guitar synth, the album is further enhanced by New-Age kingpin Steven Halpern, who adds "harmonious sound waves." In the spirit of Halpern's best work, "Atlantis Rising" is a glorious, meditative sound excursion combining the intricate elements of today's music technology with the healing music of the ages. "Atlantis Rising" is a great album to space out with or to simply meditate upon.
20th Century Guitar Magazine - December 2004
"I was just browsing through some of the latest New Age releases at CD Baby and very fortunately found your latest project "Atlantis Rising". Puts me in mind of one of my favorite artists, Mike Oldfield. I am the host of a weekly New Age and world fusion program on an international fm radio show in Japan and I would love to play a bit of "Atlantis Rising" on my show."
Jeffrey Martin - International Radio DJ
"I really enjoyed your new music immensely! I think your engineering and production skills are superb, and the music is both moving and rich."
Russell Arteaga - Producer Urbanometry Music & Sound - San Francisco
"I like the CD very much - great variety, flow, and textural magic."
Lloyd Barde - Backroads Music
"Atlantis Rising was created with the goal of providing music that would help people feel inner peace and a sense of magic. The album features waves upon waves of tranquil synthesizer ambiance that Michael Diamond crafted to create the perfect atmosphere of lightness and healing energy. "
Music Design: In Review
If your experience with ambient music has left you unimpressed, it’s time to give it another chance. The compositions of veteran guitarist, writer, and producer Michael Diamond have backbone and depth; the aural air of his music resonates with color and texture; the themes range from meditative to playful. Michael Diamond creates from a melting pot of culture and life experience. Take a journey through his universe; yours will be expanded.
Matt Kramer, SongPeddler
If you’re looking for a new age CD that transports you to inner and outer sacred spaces but doesn’t leave you stranded and floating, “Atlantis Rising” is for you. Unlike many New Age CD’s, “Atlantis Rising” does not abandon the listener, but reels us in, grounds us and then sends us off to another dimension via ten, skillfully crafted, tapestry-like vignettes. Guitarist/synthesist Michael Diamond provides just enough melody with his deliberate and clear guitar playing, to bring warmth to his electronic textures. It is a “must-have” in your library of ambient, and new age music.
Phyllis Addison - award-winning published composer, and Grammy-nominated recording artist.
FLIGHTS OF FANTASY
"The music ranges from joyous and soaring to introspective and inspirational, exuding a positve energy that lingers after the melodies have ended."
Body Mind Spirit Magazine
"This wonderful debut album is filled with upbeat melodies that sparkle with infectious energy. "Flights Of Fantasy" rides on the musical artistry of Deborah Martin's flute, Preston Scott's piano and synthesizer wizardry, and Michael Diamond's Santana-inluenced guitar. The result is some of the sweetest instrumental music I have heard in a while.
New Age Retailer Magazine
STRING THINGS
I just received your track and it's gorgeous! It's exactly the vibe I'm looking for on this compilation.
Congratulations on a terrific track and thanks again so much for contributing!
Eric Hopper – music producer, Toronto Canada. Coordinator of ambient guitar CD.
...Michael Diamond follows with a piece called "Stellar Drift". I'm not familiar with Diamond's work, but I'm certainly interested in hearing more based on this track. A slow orbiting space-y tune,"Stellar Drift" features sustained notes which ebb and flow, slowly evolving over time, weaving in and through each other in lovely ways. Very impressive!
