Our obsession with Karen Salicath Jamali seems to grow with every listen, we recently featured her evocative new composition, Mary’s Blessing, as well as Dreams of Angels, which served as an ethereal journey through sound, so naturally, we couldn’t wait to fully immerse ourselves in her latest opus, Wings of Gabriel.
The opening track is the first of three title tracks, Wings of Gabriel Pt. 1. The piece invites us in with a delicate piano performance, peaceful in nature, with timeless arpeggios and Karen’s signature sonic energy – direct from source, poetic and charismatic with a high emotional and spiritual quotient. We feel at one with the universe as Karen showcases her divine energy on the keys.
Essentially, we learn that the album is split into three parts, aptly containing 11 angelic tracks in total, and this first third is intended to evoke notions of Gabriel’s softness and tenderness. Karen describes it as “Gentle, compassionate, and filled with the quiet power of unconditional love…”
The next track in this sequence is Angel Gabriel’s Grace, which opens with serene minimalism, notably graceful in its energetic frequency, in line with the title of the track. This leads us to Angel Gabriel’s Whisper which features a minor key energy with a more melancholic and almost dramatic edge. We are intrigued and appreciate the dimensionality and juxtaposition that manifest. There is a cinematic allure that is tangible, perfect for the score of a Darren Aronofsky film with an emotive core. We appreciate the tender sentiment, and the wider spectrum of character that this piece brings to life. Angel Gabriel’s Refuge continues this almost melancholic sentiment. This reminds us of the sadder part of the Angel Gabriel story, where he often delivers messages of painful sacrifice or impending hardship despite his role as a divine messenger of hope.
Wings of Gabriel Pt. 2 evokes motifs of Spring. We feel an optimistic energy come to life with this piece. Karen has designed this section of the album to showcase: Divine Compassion & Inner Peace. She describes it as “A harmonic sanctuary opens into his compassion and the serene peace he brings to the soul…”
This leads us to Angel Gabriel’s Glow – again an optimistic and vibrant composition that brings to life the angel’s celestial qualities and purpose. There is a timeless quality to this piece, but just as with Karen’s conscious perspective on reality, we are then to experience Angel Gabriel’s Heart String which has us on the verge of tears with the stunning emotional resonance that the piece exudes. Reminding us of early Beethoven, there is an emotive core, aligned to how his heart carries the weight of every message he delivers, even when it breaks him to speak it. Angel Gabriel’s Hand is another melancholic nod to how the angel’s hand reaches out with gentle guidance, even when he knows the path ahead will be difficult.
Bringing us in with optimism for part three of the album, which Karen describes as: The Mystery Beyond Words. She comments on how this final third is “Ethereal, expansive, and rooted in the unexplainable magic of Gabriel’s presence…”
From the uplifting notions, we are once again met with a more emotional energy with Angel Gabriel’s Mystic, which serves as a commentary on how his mystic lies in the quiet, unseen power he carries, essentially an ancient light that reveals truth without ever forcing it. The finale is Angel Gabriel’s Tear – how this falls for the sorrow of humanity, manifesting a silent reminder that even angels feel the ache of the worlds they guard. A fitting conclusion to his message and purpose.
We are in awe, and deeply appreciate Karen Salicath Jamali for her important and source-driven work. We learn that the project was mastered by legendary engineer Maria Triana, who has worked with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sting, and Whitney Houston, and many more. On a multi-disciplinary level, it is worth noting that in addition to the music, the album cover features one of Karen’s own paintings!