Great album for massage, meditation... 55 minutes of meditation with the dolphins and the last two tracks are more upbeat to help you come back and be grounded back to your physical. "Dolphins: A Message of Love" is quite simply one of the most beautiful albums I've heard in a long time! Frederic Delarue's third album of original instrumental works is stunning in its richness, passion, and joy. Delarue has created vibrant, inspiring music, and some tracks feature the sounds of dolphins and the ocean. I really like Delarue's first two albums, "Voyage of the Soul" and "Soaring With the Angels," but think this is by far his best work to date. "Calming" and "soothing" are words that come to mind, but the music goes beyond that, as it can be listened to many times with full attention without getting "old," and yet is very effective in the background. There aren't many albums where I thoroughly enjoy every track, but I love this one! Delarue truly composes and plays from the heart, and his sincerity and emotional depth are compelling. The CD opens with the sound of the surf, dolphin "clicks," and heavenly voices. Ambient, floating sounds set the tone of the album, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. "Ballet of Light" is playful and free, with a simple piano melody and lovely string washes. "Sincere Communion" is a gorgeous piece, again piano-based with strings, voices, and soothing ambient sounds; it almost feels like dreaming on a cloud. "Marie de la Mer" is a lovely piece that must have been inspired by the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria." Heavenly! The first part of "Revelation" hints at a very slow Pachelbel "Canon," and evolves into a very quiet and meditative piece that tugs at the heart while soothing the mind. Other titles include "Calm In My Spirit," "Splash of Joy," and "Angels of the Sea," suggesting correctly that this music is peaceful, joyful, and deeply felt. In addition to the twelve tracks that were inspired by the dolphins, the CD includes two bonus tracks, "Dance of Love" and "Rejoice," which feature more of a "dance mix" feeling with rhythm tracks and an upbeat, fun, spirit. Sure to be on my Top 10 for 2004, "Dolphins" is very highly recommended! *************** M u s i c o f t h e M i r a c l e s ! How many encounters with providence does it take for one man to acknowledge its influence? For pianist and composer Frederic Delarue the magic number was three times. Two major auto mishaps and an encounter with like sentient beings, the dolphins. Once he listened to his spirit guides, angels and beings of light, Frederic knew what his direction in life was to be. That of a musician with a special message to impart to others and he wrote the music placed in his heart. Dolphins...A Message of Love is the result. His contemplative compositions, channeled through the love from the dolphins are ambient New Age for the most part as they convey a message of hope, love and good wishes. Who are we to reject this gift? I for one accept it and with gratitude. Frederic's music is a synthesized interplay of soothing, gentle tunes and melancholy tracks that enliven the spirit, heal the soul and relax the body. The first track is appropriately called Welcome. Basking in the glow of the dolphin's positive energy and accompanied by the sounds of gentle surf and dolphin-speak, the music expands with a pipe organ sound and the voices of angels. There is no doubt that here lies strength, beauty and power. Track 3, Waves of Love is my favorite cut. The ebb and flow of ocean sound, the echo of woodwinds and the sparkling piano score presents a heartfelt offering of warm, contemplative music. It is a simple melody and yet it suggests a feeling of reverence that flows in many directions. A Message of Love is a perfect title for this beautiful and evocative tune that exudes positive energies. Delarue's forceful piano lead commands this emotional tune with background vocals of dolphin-speak, ocean waves and synthesized voices. His music flows like the sea, a sometimes salty death for humans, but a giver of life to so many other species. Marie De La Mer (Mary of the Ocean) is a very artful rendition using Charles Gounod's Ave Maria. The musical prayer is often said as a call for help for a mortal dilemma, but Delarue has woven it into a message that has common appeal and a common purpose. Revelation at 8:35, the longest tune on the album, is the best track on Dolphins...A Message of Love. I am thinking that Delurue's second encounter with death made him write these beautiful, heartrending notes of discovery and joi de vive as he realized that life was such a special gift and not to be taken for granted. The message here is we all have the gift and not to take it lightly, ever. Lastly, as if he couldn't help himself, is the tune Rejoice, a dance groove that finishes up the album nicely. Pounding beat, echoing voices and blissful keyboard score make you realize that it's great just to be alive. You can almost imagine the dolphins leaping delightfully as you travel over the waves. Every creature has a playful nature. Delarue was born in the magical city of Chartres, France home of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. He suffered a car wreck as a pre-teen and realized he was allowed life for a reason. Flash forward to California, 2003 and car wreck number two, another near death experience for Frederic. Again he was again allowed to keep on living. For him, his new journey was clear. He embraced his faith, his personal philosophies and his music began to take shape. He has two other albums, Voyage of the Soul and Soaring With The Angels and is noted for adding his talents to the to ttribute album Cousteau's Dream. Frederic Delarue has combined Eastern philosophies, Western idealism and the hallowed symbiosis of two sentient races. It is no wonder that his music has universal appeal. Rating: Very Good