In this post, I want to give credit to musicians who make and produce instrumental music. Every day, countless instrumental compositions are created, and if we add them up across genres, instrumental music could easily be one of the most popular forms of musical expression. While these pieces don’t rely on songwriting or vocal performance, that doesn’t make them easier to create. The spotlight falls entirely on the arrangements and the accuracy of the performance, which adds pressure and also limits production options.
Often, I receive instrumental compositions that are lacking in production — the sound is too live and even pinching, or maybe dull and unpolished. Yet sometimes I am impressed by exceptionally produced and very well-performed instrumental tracks. This is what I want to draw your attention to today.
The music mentioned below can be found on my Instrumental playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1y5bNxIA1yUdZC27jThAOU?si=54d6321a200d451e
News:
While I have some good news to share, since I completed a few projects recently, I will hold them until my next post about AI music. This time, I will only mention instrumental compositions created, performed, and produced without any use of artificial intelligence. This way, no one will feel upset and no one will feel left out.
Music Picks:
Although I have classic instrumental music on my playlist, mentioning it here would be redundant and would take away space from the new artists who still need to be discovered. You can always consult the entire playlist if my selection below inspires you to do so.
Le Vieux Chemin by Graceland:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2PB1MI3JBbOfaLOSh9aga8?si=222e1d27fe294b36
Exceptionally performed and beautifully produced music that captivates from the very first note. I have several compositions by Graceland on my playlists, and I am hoping for more. What a great duo!
Percival’s Quest by Laurence Manning:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6rc4EhIcmQW2zqwzYmh270?si=94e9b6149cc342d3
Listen to the performer’s relentless skill. The quality of the recording is excellent as well.
It is time to explore jazz. Here are a couple of very different but equally impressive tunes:
Park Drive by Mats Skimmela:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5xxmvdmNxi2nHLeZoMVOB5?si=28d17dac9b3c4fd3
Steps to Humility by Kay-Ta:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6UWogkSIqVxLMsJRlnhwT0?si=fcd9bf8491d14df9
And once we start talking about jazz, I’d like you to hear this exceptional music which, while rock at its core, is also jazz just as much:
Bath Saltz and Car Crash Fit for a Queen by Kevin Moquin and Bad Ideas:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1fk6qGGEiysy9kFhCAHaCc?si=66b7fe3a83ec4f55
https://open.spotify.com/track/6AoMjz8dIOG2iyQOowbqQC?si=da450a48d4f44fe8
Let’s slow down the rhythm and listen to a couple of beautiful prog rock compositions:
Once Upon a Time in The West Island by The Adam Brown:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1cIRPFswR47VdFChmkzNL5?si=0c9e0914b00d46c0
See You Soon by Julien:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4lZ8kqN6akcwdRXTYgdeLN?si=7586874a08f64b7b
Let us switch the genre and enjoy some quality world music:
Desert Night by Amirali Kamali:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2DNDV5600S4tE5aF8993ZG?si=85641e10812542ce
Mirage by Siamak Sarmadian:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1w3McfqEjB0AfBSqprDfEf?si=a95fb72edaaf4771
Now let’s get funky:
Funkadelic Indian by Rohan Roy:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1bj1rBbmtoo5FfdYy2OowE?si=3639bd4e2f344540
YUSE by Raz:
https://open.spotify.com/track/77EiJWQ0Unq6HL8egs0ouJ?si=9c415844582041c5
And we will finish with two fantastic electronic compositions:
Thunder by Sam CD:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5Ii4iQc7XAXHXlddjcaAix?si=9f8ccdfffa754add
Alone in the Dark by OvniS:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1mw8AGZ8q6fx5thjFrzCoq?si=ffbbe6121ee04668
Final Thoughts:
I hope you enjoyed listening to my selection of outstanding instrumental music. Perhaps this experience will inspire you to create the next beautiful composition.
On the other hand, think of how nice it is to be understood without words. This is what instrumental music can achieve. The message is made clear, yet not a single word has been spoken. Isn’t that something?
It is the mood, the feel, the vibe, or the drive that catches your attention and carries you away. Making good instrumental music that can do this is an art in itself.
As always, I would like to thank the artists who sent me their incredible compositions. It’s a true joy to add them to my collection.