Though “Healing,” the 10th and final lead single from Jim Gelcer & David Vito Gregoli’s upcoming full length Quiet Expanse, is one of those classic-styled exotic ambient tune best experienced with eyes closed and heart and soul open to be filled, the instrumentation and nature sounds are so fascinating they merit as much mention as the way the track title feels like the culmination of a wildly adventurous journey.
In their promo materials, the duo calls themselves multi-instrumentalists/producers, but that varies quite gloriously from track to track as they create different moods, emotions, modalities and expansive spiritual spaces on each. As listeners traverse through the surprise-filled “soundscape” of healing, they will feel they’re outside in a warm, sunlit environment, perhaps a forest, with lots of oxygen giving trees as on the track’s beautiful natural cover art. Gelcer and Gregoli call it a “mystical maelstrom,” and that is the perfect description of the exuberant, dizzying sensations that come forth at any given moment.
Along the way, as we clear past the proverbial brush on our way to the immersive healing the title promises, Gelcer introduces a Native, earthbound vibe with his lyrical bamboo flute energy while forging some fascinating melodic figures with his Auracle hand pan. Gregoli, meanwhile, weaves his plucky string magic with a Mexican tricordia, aka mandriola, a twelve-stringed variation of the mandolin. It’s generally used in Mexican folk music but serves on a higher plane here as part of the powerful swirl of sounds. Both artists contribute to the foundational synth energy at the core of the piece. Besides feeling like you’ve taken a sonic out of the wild (heavenly realm style), the overall effect is energizing, invigorating and yes, true to its title, “Healing.”
Gelcer and Gregoli are the only two instrumental artists I’ve ever encountered that endeavored to put out all 10 tracks of an album in advance. Each individual single is a gem but building a playlist each time out, culminating in the addition of “Healing,” allows listeners to experience Healing Expanse in all its glory even before the official release of the album. It will be exciting to see if the guys put the tracks in a different order from the releases for a different narrative effect! Much to look forward to!