Reviews of Mysterium's "The 11th Hour"

Reviews of "The 11th Hour"

Radio Arad, Romania - February 4th, 2002

Sergiu Rusu, Host of Radio Arad

One exquisite album with a wonderful blend of piano music and modern orchestration. "The 11th Hour," a very inspired collection of subtle musical gems, discovers for the listener the real magic splendour of the neverending time.

Traverse City Record-Eagle - December 14th, 2001

Nancy Sundstrom (Special to the Record-Eagle)

Choral director creates new CD

"The 11th Hour" project started as a collection of unrelated pieces

TRAVERSE CITY - Ask those who know him, and they'll tell you there's very little in Jeff Cobb's life that doesn't revolve around music. Among his many performing and teaching credits, Cobb is a nationally recognized choral music conductor. Currently at Traverse city Central high School, past teaching posts have been in Leysin, Switzerland and San Antonio, Texas. An active composer/arranger of choral music and instrumental music, Cobb also performs regularly as a jazz and new age pianist, and is the driving force behind Mysterium, a "consortium of like-minded artists," as he likes to explain it. Mysterium has a brand new CD, "The 11^th Hour," which Cobb composed, arranged, performed on and produced."I’m not sure if new age is the most accurate way to describe my music," said Cobb. "I think "contemporary instrumental" might be more appropriate since my music draws inspiration from a number of musical genres including new age, classical, and jazz, and has strong melody, harmonic movement, and textural and harmonic contrast."

In general, Cobb’s compositions always start with improvisation. Inspired by something in particular, or simply moved to play, he will sit at the piano and begin to improvise, often finding that some of his best and "most honest" compositions come right away. Often, the final version of a piece heard on his recordings may be the first and original improvisation. Examples on the new CD are "The Elements," "Requiem," and "Enchantment." After finding and developing a melody and overall harmonic structure that meets his satisfaction, he refines and reworks ideas by adding other elements and instruments to flesh out an arrangement based on that improvisation. The recording and mixing is then done in his home studio, all with computer-based digital equipment. "This is a real bonus because I can make the most of my time with my wife, Laura, and son Elijah, and work in the studio when it’s convenient," said Cobb. "Laura especially acts a s a sounding board, and a source of inspiration. I turn to her musically untrained ears to give me feedback and a fresh perspective."

Cobb says "The 11^th Hour" project started as a collection of unrelated pieces. Laura, a published poet and children’s book author, played a major role in developing a continuous theme or story to unify the pieces. Laura even composed a poem for each piece, which Cobb felt would heighten the experience for the listener. So far, Cobb is pleased with the response to the new CD. It is in regular rotation on WNMC's "Innervisions" program, which is heard Sunday’s at 8:30am, and track are also played frequently on other WNMC shows. Locally it’s for sale at Borders, and at his web site, www.mysterium-music.com. Response on the Internet has been particularly strong, and material from "The 11^th Hour" is posted on MP3.com, Broadjam.com, IUMA.com and other downloadable music sites. Mysterium appears regularly on the New Age Top 10 chart on several sites, and is currently on the Overall Top 10 Artists on Broadjam. In addition, one of the pieces has been selected to appear on a compilation CD of New Age music from New Age Voice magazine early next year.

Cobb hopes to make contact with other production houses and radio stations that feature new age/contemporary instrumental programming. Because of the "earth-friendly" theme of the CD, he’d also like to forge a partnership with nature societies or conservancies such as Audubon, World Wildlife Federation, National Geographic and the like to donate a portion of the proceeds of sales to those causes. Cobb also hopes to do some local live performances of the new music to help spread the word. In the meantime, work is already underway on his next project. It will feature a similar style of music, but will draw on more jazz influences and perhaps include a number of local musicians. "I'm so lucky to be able to create great music during the day with wonderful, talented and caring students, and to be able to work in my own studio creating my own music on nights and weekends," Cobb said. "I feel fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of its local musicians and artists."

Healing Garden Journal - December, 2001

Rick Coates, writer

The 11^th Hour: is the debut release by Mysterium, which is led by composer Jeffrey Cobb, a northern Michigan music teacher. The CD features the poetry and lyrics of Laura Knight Cobb. Classified as New Age music, The 11^th Hour is beyond genre and maybe the universe. If you wondered what music might sound like from another dimension, then give this a listen. Cobb expands musical boundaries by reaching deep within his heart and soul. The result is a musical voyage that takes the listener on an uplifting journey. The CD has been enjoying airplay on several New Age based radio programs. It blends several sounds and is comparative in technical quality to other great New Age composers, but stands alone in its originality. The 11^th Hour is highly recommended by the staff at Borders Books. For additional information contact Cobb through his website at www.mysterium-music.com.

WNMC Radio - October 17th, 2001

David McArthur, Host of WNMC's "Innervisions"

I was thrilled to add MYSTERIUM's CD "The 11th Hour" to my current rotation at WNMC 90.7 FM in Traverse City, Michigan. Jeff's right up there with the best of the rest of New Age composers. He combines intricate melodies with smooth weaves to create an uplifting mood. I have received a lot of positive feedback from Innervisions listeners.

Northern Express - October 11th, 2001

Ross Boissoneau, writer

A New Age Twist:

Finally, local music teacher, Jeffrey Cobb's disc "The 11th Hour," released under the name Mysterium, boasts surprises at nearly every turn, proving that so-called new age music can be moody, aggressive and energetic as well as pastoral. The jazz connection here is ever-so-slight, primarily in some of the piano lines. But Cobb takes to heart jazz's commitment to pushing beyond the boundaries and taking chances. Mysterium might seem at first glance to be a little precious and pompous. But in taking chances, Cobb has breathed new life into the new age genre. Much of new age music is gentle, acoustic, pretty - and dull, dull, dull. If anything ever happens in it, it is only what is predictable. There's little of aggression, of taking chances. That's decidedly not the case here. If you're looking for antecedents, try mixing one part Andreas Vollenweider, two parts Tangerine Dream, and a shot of King Crimson. "Enchantment" brings to mind Synergy and Paul Lanz, while "New Breath" mixes Suzanne Ciani and Anthony Phillips' electronic productions. But those are just comparisons. To hear this music is to hear originality and ability coming together. Cobb's got it all here: melody, counterpoint, production values, and a commitment to taking his music as far as it needs to go. A stunning debut, "The 11th Hour," promises much ahead.

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