Marilynn Seits

ALL MUSIC GUIDE Editorial review: Threads of Violet Light

Marilynn Seits was quite possibly the most underrated new age composer out there at the time of this release. Her work was some of the finest and most original that the genre had seen in a while, but for some reason her work was often neglected. Marilynn Seits' Threads of Violet Light is just as good as her work that came before it, but it's most reminiscent of Meditations Along the Silk Road, which was not only an excellent recording, it was possibly one of the best recordings that the new age genre yielded. From the perspective of the writer, there's really only one complaint, and it goes across the board, particularly with new age -- and that's that sometimes less is more; the use of a sound group known as General MIDI often plays a large role in new age music, and particularly in Marilynn Seits work. Over the years General MIDI has begun to sound more and more real, but when it's placed in the beauty of her melodies and the beautiful timbre of the piano, which may be General MIDI as well, the novelty of the synthetic sounds somehow cheapens the overall compositional integrity. It's easy to get around, especially to the lay listener, but that's one thing that has made this reviewer's ears perk up. With Threads of Violet Light, Marilynn Seits has created an excellently contemplative recording, one that sounds good and that can endure. Great work!
~ Matt Borghi, All Music Guide
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Karmic Tribute: Editorial review ALL MUSIC GUIDE:
Sadly, it is easy for musicians to become pigeonholed. If an artist becomes known for one style of music, some marketing people will do everything they can to discourage him/her from trying anything else. But thankfully, Marilynn Seits doesn't feel the need to shackle herself to one genre 100% of the time. The pianist has done some interesting things in the new age field, but that doesn't prevent her from successfully embracing straight-ahead acoustic jazz on Karmic Tribute. The CD's title might give some people the impression that this is an album of modal or avant-garde jazz with strong Middle Eastern or Indian leanings -- something you would expect from Pharoah Sanders or Yusef Lateef. But in fact, Karmic Tribute is a collection of very inside piano jazz along the lines of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Marian McPartland. Playing unaccompanied solo piano, Seits pays tribute to a variety of fellow pianists, who range from Evans on "Time Remembered," Jarrett on "Coral," and Chick Corea on "Tones for Joan's Bones," to Charles Mingus on "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress," Carla Bley on "Ups and Downs," and Billy Strayhorn on "Lush Life." Not everything on Karmic Tribute was written by a pianist; "Falling Grace" and "Arise Her Eyes," for example, are by bassist Steve Swallow -- someone Bley has worked with extensively. But the compositions of pianists are the main focus of this CD, illustrating Seits' ability to step outside of new age and provide introspective, pensive jazz.
~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Best jazz CD of 2008, South Florida
“MARILYNN SEITS VIBRATIONS JAZZ ENSEMBLE 'RAINED OUT' PICKED BEST JAZZ CD (CMR). Before she moved to New York City, Wellington pianist Seits (mseitsmusic.com recorded this ECM Records-influenced set with sons Sean McAusland (bass, now living in North Carolina) and Andy McAusland (guitar, still living locally). The pianist shows touch and humor on her own originals (RMN, Popcorn), plus those by son Andy (Boss Bull, Here Come the Germans). Drummers Rod Parker and Sy Pryweller pace an otherwise highly musical family affair.”
Bill Meredith, Palm Beach Post

THREADS OF VIOLET LIGHT Marilynn Seits CMR Moongate Records

Composer, pianist and keyboard artist Marilynn Seits has gifted us with
THREADS OF VIOLET LIGHT, an exquisite album of deeply relaxing ambient music.
Perfect for spa environments and other therapeutic venues, the long, peaceful
tones and gently sparkling melodies transport listeners into heavenly worlds
of delicious bliss.
Since ancient times the color violet has been closely associated with
springtime, healing and rebirth. A color of high spiritual vibration, violet
often is a potent choice meditation. Violet also is the color of the crown
chakra, the thread by which we are connected to spirit. Because the crown
chakra is connected to the musical key of B, Seits uses that key extensively
throughout THREADS OF VIOLET LIGHT. A truly gifted, multitalented artist, Seits
composed, arranged, performed on keyboards, recorded, mixed and mastered all of
the serene, profoundly nurturing music on the album. The ten tracks comprise
just over an hour of music, making for a delightful adjunct to massage, reiki
and other gentle healing modalities. THREADS OF VIOLET LIGHT is a magical
elixer for relaxation and meditation.
- Steve Ryals - Fresh Tracks music reviews - July/August 2002

Threads of Violet Light truly shines, sets your clients on the relaxation path.
Perfect for massage and healing work.
- Theresa Victa, LMT.