June 18th 2021 marks the release of An Angel’s Healing, the brand new album from Michael Panteli, affectionately known by his artist moniker, Miguel Muziq. An Angel’s Healing is a unique body of work that covers a notably diverse spectrum of styles. Miguel’s roots as an expert Latin guitarist co-exist alongside a clear understanding of modern jazz, bound together with a range of influences from his Mediterranean-Cypriot upbringing. When combined with the emotive nuances of Miguel’s songwriting and the dexterous ability and flair that he displays as a player, the result is a genuine force to be reckoned with.
An Angel’s Healing features the highly sought after contemporary US jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold and his accomplished brother Emanuel Harrold on drums, as well as other members of leading jazz vocalist Gregory Porter’s band, including saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, and bassist Jahmal Nichols. Afro-Cuban horn player Yelfris Valdes lends his expertise to various tracks, as do accomplished trumpeters Jay Phelps and Jackson Mathod. Brazilian percussionist Jansen Santana makes some exemplary appearances on other tracks too.
Ultimately a collective of excellent players who hail from the U.S.A, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Spain, Romania, Jamaica, the U.K and Canada all make their own special contributions to the album. This ‘dream team’ of musicians greatly enhance proceedings and each in their own way compliment Miguel’s individual talent, as well as providing a glowing endorsement of his calibre as a guitar player, songwriter and producer.
The compositions on 'An Angel’s Healing' evolved from a complex process of loss and reconciliation, after Miguel and his partner experienced the trauma of losing an unborn child. His coping mechanism in the aftermath, was to create music. It was a journey of self-discovery, guided by their 'Angel Star'. He would then seek inspiration from some of the very musicians that would end up contributing to the album.
There are many examples of important moments in the development of An Angel’s Healing that occur simultaneously to key milestones in Miguel and his family’s lives – an example of this is the song "Kumharas", a tribute to the special venue in Ibiza where Miguel saw Paco Fernandez perform. Eight months later, the return to this space marked the discovery that Miguel’s wife was in fact pregnant again. Emotional occurrences such as this became synonymous with the creative process of the album, which is evident within the music and ultimately this is one of the things that makes it special.
Miguel plans to release some singles from the album ahead of its release, beginning in April with a track entitled ‘Frith Street’, in a nod to the bohemian nature of Soho and its iconic jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, which features Keyon Harrold on trumpet and Emanuel Harrold on drums. Both musicians feature again on "To Angel Star, Love Papa", this time joined by Tivon Pennicott and Jahmal Nichols, in what is quintessentially a musical letter to 'Angel Star'.
Miguel has enhanced the experience of the album as a whole by also commissioning fine artists being draw and paint their own personal interpretations of the music. This collection of art has been called 'The Art Of Muziq'.
With this and a set of imaginative and engaging music videos in the pipeline, An Angel’s Healing is set to be an important release this year.
1. Mi Corazón (Intro)
2. Latin Village (feat Emanuel Harrold and Yelfris Valdés)
3. Frith Street (feat Keyon Harrold and Emanuel Harrold)
4. Plaza De Miguel
5. To The Apollo (Interlude) (feat Jay Phelps, Emanuel Harrold and Jahmal Nichols)
6. Jazz Dream (feat Jackson Mathod and Yelfris Valdés)
7. To Angel Star, Love Papa (feat Keyon Harrold, Tivon Pennicott, Jahmal Nichold and Emanuel Harrold)
8. Havana To Cyprus (feat Yelfris Valdés)
9. Salsa Numero Uno (feat Jansen Santana)
10. El Carnaval (feat Mario Yañez)
11. Una Cancion Para Palma (Interlude) (feat Eikel Venegas)
12. Kumharas
13. Tired Eyes (feat Keyon Harrold and Emanuel Harrold)
14. Life Goes On
Miguel Muziq appears courtesy of Viva La Música Records
Guitars, Synth Bass, Synths, Additional Percussion: Miguel Muziq
Sax: Tivon Pennicott
Trumpets: Keyon Harrold, Yelfris Valdés, Jay Phelps, Jackson Mathod, Eikel Venegas, Andy Hornsby, Christopher Sharp.
Trombone: Pablo Martin
Drums: Emanuel Harrold, Stefan Brown, Aaron Lawrence
Percussion: Jansen Santana, Mario Yañez
Bass: Jahmal Nichols, AJ Brinkman
Violins: Naomi Wilmhurst, Sabina Virtosu
Cello: Susie Blankfield
All tracks produced by Miguel Muziq
All editing by Miguel Muziq
Mixed by Miguel Muziq at Angel Star Studios
Mastered by Shane McEnhill
