Rapture (CD)

Peter Kater Rapture Grammy Award winning composer Peter Kater proves that the time is always right for romance as he aptly portrays on his new album, Rapture. These dozen tracks of luscious contemporary orchestrations and piano instrumentals are the poems unwritten and the words unsaid by the many hearts that long for love deftly translated into music. Since 1983 Kater has released dozens of studio albums and collaborations and built a successful career of composing and performing. Rapture is another star in his sky. Speaking of which, the title tune Rapture is a passionate introduction to the album. The theme is dramatic and sensuous. The lover is hypnotized, enthralled, and completely given over to his emotion. Peter’s piano is the heartbeat of the lover, the orchestra the blood that flows through a love struck soul. One of Peter’s light piano offerings is called Promising. It has the feel of a quiet, personal performance, a song for that special someone. The music flows, the time is late, and tomorrow, well tomorrow is to be experienced. Richard Hardy does a little bit of accompaniment on sax that keeps the momentum going despite the late hour. Come with Me has a powerful driving theme. I can imagine an outstretched hand, a fast car, and a long way to go. Kater’s masterful midtempo composition is emotionally exhilarating, but not at all hurried. A little flute mixed with the refrain keeps the energy going. Hold on for dear life. Sweet Delight is jazzy and has a rhythmic theme with some dynamic keyboarding. There are a lot of smiles buried in this music. Smiles of admiration. Smiles of conversations. Smiles of an unseen connection. This is one of my favorites on Rapture for its strong sentiment. It is as if Peter is simply saying “There’s something about you that I can’t describe in plain words, so I wrote this for you”. Hope of Spring is a retrospective piece with a lyrical soprano sax and piano that comes together to offer a promise of a new day, a new life. There is a sense of positivity, a tomorrow’s going to be alright kind of feel. This one is a slow dance that need never end. Again slightly subdued and partly nostalgic is the song Morning Bliss. What was once dark and hidden, now has light and substance. It is more than the sun coming up. It is the contentment, the happiness, the joy that right beside you, breathing softly like a sleeping angel, is your whole world. Kater’s tune is a kind of ascension into that knowledge. The final cut, By Your Side is a sentimental, old tune for the present-day world. Like looking into an old photo album of black & white snapshots, every page has something of note. That one by the lake or the one when the stranger took that photo of both of you outside the café. Then this one of just her beautiful hands. Peter’s endlessly playable ballad is warm with welcoming reminisces. Each memory kindles a hundred more. All of the songs are vignettes of a lifelong love. Every tune is a hold me and let us dance the dance of life together tune. I do not believe Peter Kater could have written, nor performed the music with more emotion or more sentimentality than that on Rapture. Highly listenable. - R J Lannan, Artisan Music Reviews

This album will take you on a journey to the most beautiful places! Close your eyes, listen and experience! Thank You Peter!

Merriam-Webster defines rapture as "an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion" and "a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion." (There are religious meanings as well, but in the case of Peter Kater's new album, "Rapture," those first definitions are perfect.) In an illustrious and award-winning career that has produced more than 70 albums, the music for more than 100 television and film productions, and more, Peter Kater is still creating music that is fresh, expressive and deeply heartfelt. "Rapture," possibly his most romantic and breathtakingly beautiful album to date, possesses all of those qualities and more. My one-word review would be "WOW!!!" Kater has dedicated the album to "Jane," the inspiration for all of the music on the album, and it plays very much like the impassioned soundtrack to one of the greatest love stories ever told - and perhaps it is! Kater has won two Grammy awards and has been nominated fourteen times, and I would predict that "Rapture" is likely headed in that direction as well. The twelve tracks are diverse and draw on a range of influences from classical to jazz, world and new age. Instrumentation includes Kater on piano, keyboards and synth string arrangements; along with additional musicians on sax, flutes, oboe, bass, percussion, cajon and drums. "Rapture" begins with the title track, a gorgeous piece overflowing with lush strings, piano and full orchestration. Both dreamy and invigorating, it certainly creates a rapturous state of mind and lets the listener know that this is going to be a very special album. "Valley of Love" is more mysterious and exotic with piano, flute, oboe, bass and percussion - a favorite. "Promising" is a gentle piece for piano, sax and strings and has the feeling of a romantic slow dance as emotions build and start to soar. "Stole My Heart" is a sweet old-fashioned love song with a jazz influence. Piano and strings give the music an elegant flair. Piano and flute beautifully intertwine in "Come With Me," which also includes percussion and strings, creating a seductive dance. "Sweet Delight" presents a compelling mix of intense emotion and easy-going rhythm that is expressed in a jazzy piano style enhanced with drums and string washes. "Hope of Spring" is the first single to be released from the album and features a beautifully romantic duet for piano and sax with light string washes in the background. "In Your Eyes" is another favorite and is almost solo piano - light strings and percussion add atmosphere, but it's Peter Kater and his piano that express a deep emotional connection. "Morning Bliss" is probably the most ambient piece on the album and is a wonderful expression of the peaceful wonder of waking up next to the one you love and being able to share the bliss. Don't miss this one!