Steven Halpern realizes his Cannabis Dreams
Out Now: Cannabis Dreams by Steven Halpern
Steven Halpern, the GRAMMY®-nominated founder of New Age music, has released his groundbreaking album CANNABIS DREAMS (4/23/21). This “tuning fork for the brain”(TM) creates an Auditory Contact High (ADH) that nurtures and uplifts body, mind and spirit. The 11-track CANNABIS DREAMS features Halpern’s signature sound, a Rhodes Mark 7 electric piano. Lush hi-psi soundscapes shimmer with luminous keyboards, hypnotic ambiences, and ethereal vocals.
The music supports relaxation, healing, meditation and spiritual well-being; one does not need to ingest cannabis to experience the relaxation effect. The seed concept for this album was planted in 1982 when an anthropologist handed Halpern an extraordinary strain used by an indigenous Alaskan shamanic healer.
“One toke, and I heard music in a very different way,” says Halpern, also founder of the “Quiet Revolution” in New Age music. “It inspired an improvised grand piano jam that was different from anything I had recorded previously. I wondered if certain other strains might inspire a new composition if used exclusively. The answer turned out to be Yes.”
In 2021, with legalization in many states and with the medical benefits of cannabis more widely accepted, Halpern felt comfortable releasing this ‘co-composed’ cannabis-inspired masterpiece. The album begins with the wordless vocals of the ethereal Renaissance songstress Kristin Hoffmann, of the internationally-renowned BELLA GAIA ensemble, which can be heard on two of the tracks, “Cannabis Dreams” Part 2 and Part 3. “OG Sonic Chronic” is a collaboration featuring Paul McCandless on bass clarinet and Michael Manring on Zon® fretless electric bass.
The spirit of each strain speaks through the music. Deep alpha brainwave entrainment tones are subtly mixed into the music, which entrain your brain to higher coherence to further support your immune system functioning. Grab a set of headphones for the full psycho-acoustic effect.
CANNABIS DREAMS is Halpern’s heartfelt “thank you” to the master growers who keep improving on the spiritually uplifting and creativity-enhancing strains.
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Discover Rudy Adrian’s Newest Album: Beyond the Sleepy Hills Rudy Adrian, the New Zealand-based ambient electronic maestro, is back with Beyond the Sleepy Hills, a mesmerizing collection of atmospheric soundscapes designed to soothe your senses. Whether you’re looking to drift into sleep or explore the rich details of each composition, this album delivers an immersive experience worth savoring. Now available on Spotted Peccary Music in both CD and digital formats, Beyond the Sleepy Hills is a sonic journey through gentle drones, soft piano melodies, and atonal bells that seamlessly blend into a calming whole. Rudy’s signature meticulous layering shines as the album unfolds in nine beautifully crafted movements. Here’s what Rudy had to say about his creative process: "I incorporated familiar elements from my previous albums—like subtle drones, soft bells, and piano in minor keys—but this time, I made them even more unobtrusive to create a truly restful experience. The goal was to allow listeners to fall asleep without being distracted by dissonance or overly dramatic music." As always, Rudy’s inspiration comes from the natural world, making Beyond the Sleepy Hills a masterclass in ambient storytelling. You’ll hear sun-dappled branches, distant bird calls, the soft hum of wind, and the rhythmic flow of water—all painted with sound. Tracks to note: Track 3: Delicate chimes and shimmering textures evoke a serene forest glade. Track 4: A moonlit nightscape of low drones, bright bells, and the burble of a winding stream. Track 8: Subtle symphonies of swelling strings ebb and flow like ocean tides. Rudy describes his style as creating “film soundtracks without pictures,” and his growing catalog proves his mastery. Beyond the Sleepy Hills joins an impressive lineup of Spotted Peccary releases, including Reflections On A Moonlit Lake (2024), A Walk in the Shadow Garden (2023), and As Dusk Becomes Night (2021). 💡 Fun Fact: Rudy took extra care with this album to ensure the tones were restful but not overly sweet, striking a perfect balance between engaging and ignorable—depending on your mood.  🎥 Check out the teaser video produced by Joe Abreu at Spotted Peccary Studios SW. ✨ Beyond the Sleepy Hills is also streaming all day on Spotted Peccary’s 24/7 channel, SPMLive. For interviews, reviews, or promotional requests, reach out to Beth Ann Hilton at beth@spottedpeccary.com . Take time to unwind and let Beyond the Sleepy Hills transport you to a world of tranquil soundscapes. 🌙
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