13 tracks. Running time 54:31 Al Conti is an actor and musician who's now released his debut album Shadows. Billed as a journey into the darkest corners of the heart where only you can go it's a collection of new age instrumental songs featuring piano, keyboards, drum effects, and some chanting vocals. The opening track “Faith” sets the overall tone for the rest of the album to come. A sassy percussive rhythm opens up before piano comes in to play an uplifting melody speaking of the positive and hopeful aspects of faith. String effect pads later round off the piece adding a hint of the symphonic. Piano features throughout much of the album and Al is equally at home with the slower reflective pieces and faster upbeat tunes. Besides the new agey pieces with piano and strings we also find some electronic based numbers. On “Reflection” reverbing synths constantly slither around the soundscape against a backdrop of drum percussion and periodic sections including Gregorian style chants a la Enigma. Something like a whistle or recorder also comes in now and again adding a bright pointy edge to the music. A feat that Al has pulled off and which even some established musicians do not always manage is to create an album of consistently enjoyable tracks. There's not one I dislike or want to skip over. Permeating the album is a lovely humanity and positive spirit. This is epitomised on the closing track “Longing for You” where cosy warm synth pads and gentle string chords form a backdrop for electric piano notes fading off into the distance. Even though this piece is about longing for someone special it creates a warm glow inside. Accessible thoughtful new age melodies and a few foot tapping numbers make listening to Shadows a relaxing and pleasurable experience. It's a worthy debut sure to appeal to new age fans.