Unbroken Chain – The Overture

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Some journeys demand an overture—a grand opening that sets the stage for everything to come. "Unbroken Chain" is exactly that. A declaration of resilience. A signal that after all the twists, turns, and close calls… I’m still here. And so is the music.

This piece is a testament to passion that never fades, to the drive to keep going, learning, evolving. It’s the sound of persistence, of a constant fire. But it’s also a reflection—an attempt to capture the feelings that spurred me when I first heard the powerful, cinematic albums of Yes, Genesis, The Who, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull and many others when these bands were first releasing their classic music. The echoes of those inspirations weave through "Unbroken Chain", not as nostalgia, but as a continuation—an unbroken thread of sound, energy, and transformation.

The journey begins here. And it doesn’t stop.

 

Essential Innocence – The Spark That Drives Us

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Everything begins with it. Everything depends on it. Essential Innocence—that pure, unfiltered state of being where we take in the world for the first time. It’s the open-eyed wonder of a child, the quiet courage of not knowing, the instinct to move forward without fear of what’s ahead.

But innocence isn’t just where we start—it’s a source of spiritual fuel. Experience shapes and tempers us, but at the core, it’s passion without or despite fear that pushes us forward. The willingness to leap before we understand the fall, to embrace the unknown, to chase something greater despite the risks. Essential Innocence is about holding onto that force—letting hope, curiosity, and a relentless heart be the guide. Because without it, nothing new begins.

Piano, acoustic bass, and drums capture the sound of possibility. This is the sound of an igniting spark before the journey. The moment before the first step.

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CreateBecome – The Journey of Growth

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"CreateBecome" is a journey of transformation—capturing the quiet power of creation through three distinct moments. Each moment represents a phase in the natural flow of growth, from receiving inspiration to releasing the final creation.

I. Receive

First there is silence. Then the spark of creativity is received as a gift. It involves simply opening up, creating a space for inspiration to gracefully enter. This segment unfolds delicately, like a mist dissipating to reveal what had been concealed. The arrangement of noir jazz, with the blend of horns, piano, and bass, sets a tone of  eager anticipation. It embodies a moment of serene stillness and acceptance, allowing ideas to emerge from a sacred space, poised to be sculpted with care.

II. Infuse
Once creation is accepted with intention, it begins to transform. The spark ignites into active intent, becoming infused with passion and purpose. Here, the process takes over: forging, sculpting, painting, composing. It’s the act of becoming. The music starts with a Reggae feel and shifts through upbeat genres reflecting various times and memories. The work is coming to life, growing toward its fullest expression. It’s the moment when the creation feels real, when its potential unfolds in harmony, when it reveals it’s name .

III. Release
There is a saying that a work is never finished, only surrendered. This is release. The creation is set free to find its place in the world. The section begins with a solo piano, quietly reflecting before it builds into something expansive. The music swells, a triumphant moment as the creation flows freely, completing its journey. And in the release, the cycle begins again, a continuous unfolding of possibility.

 

Chance Choice Change – The Engine of Growth

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"Chance Choice Change" is a musical reflection on a cycle within the larger cycle—the constant engine that drives growth. It begins with a chance—an idea, an event, an opportunity, a risk, a situation that presents itself and demands a decision. This is where everything starts, a point of uncertainty that asks for a decision, a choice.

Making a choice sets everything into motion, creating a path, a direction, an outcome. And from that outcome comes change—movement, adding or subtracting, something learned, darkness or light. It’s the constant ebb and flow of decision and consequence, each choice leading to new possibilities, new shifts, and more opportunities. The cycle continues, again and again, pushing us forward into the future.

Musically, the song reflects this constant motion with stabs and hits—often in sets of three—mirroring the recurring nature of the cycle. The music shifts between three distinct themes, each one representing a different stage of this ongoing journey.

There is always a choice. One moment, one decision, can set off countless changes, each one spurring more choices. The process never stops. It’s through this cycle that we learn—by paying attention, by listening to an inner voice, by asking questions.

 

Questions Like Blue Sky – The Limitless Curiosity

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"Questions Like Blue Sky" is a play on words. It takes its inspiration from the simple, natural question: Why is the sky blue?  It’s a question we ask in childhood, full of wonder and curiosity. It also nods to the idea ‘blue skying’ something - free-flowing, limitless questioning.  While there may be an answer, it’s the sense of wonder that makes the questions meaningful. The act of asking itself is where the magic lies. Curiosity opens doors to understanding and growth, and like the sky, there’s no limit to where it can lead.

The initial  lively swing and jazzy undertones have a playful energy, subtly reminiscent of the whimsical and quirky style of Frank Zappa. It’s a conversation in music, full of horns, piano, and guitar, starting with a lighthearted tone, as if asking, What if THIS was like THAT? The rhythm dances with questions, weaving in and out, taking unexpected turns.

But as the song progresses, there’s a shift—the sense of a desire to find answers. The song becomes more determined, reflecting the deeper realization that not all questions may, or need to be, answered.  Some answers take time, and some will never come. The right choice isn’t always obvious, no matter how many questions are asked. The journey is in both the asking and answers.

Foolish Heart – The Courage of Feeling

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In the story of CreateBecome, "Foolish Heart" follows the quest for answers—after all the questions, the analysis, and the evaluation, sometimes the final decision comes down to one thing: feeling. It’s that “whatever” moment when logic and reason are set aside, and a choice is made based purely on feeling—a decision that may seem irrational, but in its own way, becomes the most reliable guide. The heart becomes the compass, leading the way.

"Foolish Heart" brings out that sense of doing what feels right. It’s the joy of doing something because your heart tells you to, even when the mind might resist. This smooth, easy Latin-style jazz piece features soprano sax with piano and jazz ensemble, creating a relaxed yet dynamic atmosphere. The soprano sax takes on a whimsical tone, embodying the “foolish” aspect, as if questioning the decision with each note.

Throughout the song, there are pauses—moments where the solo piano seems on the edge of hesitation, contemplating a choice. The feeling of uncertainty lingers, but then, like a gentle release, the foolish heart takes over, and the flow continues, free from doubt. The music reflects that sense of trusting the heart, letting go, and embracing the ride.

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On The Trail – The Journey of Pursuit

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"On The Trail" carries both a literal and metaphorical meaning. On the surface, it’s a song about hiking—a journey up and down a rugged mountain path between towering trees and rocks, breathing in the outdoors. But it also is about making significant decisions—setting goals, and taking action. After all the questions, it’s time to move forward. Time to get on the trail, follow the path, and commit to the journey, wherever it may lead.

This is where the heart of the journey begins—where your skills, stamina, and resources are tested. It’s not just about the destination, but about the process. If you didn’t enjoy it, it would be work. But if you embrace it, it’s an adventure. The song captures this sense of pursuit, the feeling of hunting for something important, or maybe just playing hide-and-seek. Once a decision is made, it’s full-steam ahead.

"On The Trail" is that relaxing hike —moving forward with confidence, knowing that success is inevitable. Puffing and panting is an integral part -many hikes are loops, ending where they began, infused with the memory of the trail.  It’s a song about taking action, moving with purpose, and trusting that the path will lead where it’s meant to go.

 

 

Through It All (Reprise) – The Journey of Survival

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"Through It All" is a short solo piano piece about survival— about the emotional experience of making it through something difficult. It personally draws on life-threatening experiences and hospital stays. Anyone who’s faced such a moment knows the ups and downs, the uncertainty, the setbacks, and the hopefully eventual recovery and ‘new normal’. The subtle rhythm changes in the song mirror that journey—, like getting up and walking for the first time after surgery, shifting from uncertainty to progress, and finally to  healing.

The piano, with its emphasis on harmonics and a touch of echo, creates an atmosphere that reflects both relief and gratitude, a moment of pause after enduring hardship.

In the CreateBecome story, this piece represents the moment of overcoming obstacles—moving forward on the trail, even in the face of life’s most challenging tests. This is a short reprise of the original piano track "Through It All", from the "Chasing Stray Flames" album, which was released soon after one of these experiences. It’s a reflection on the strength gained from the struggle and the quiet victory that follows.

 

Grow Entangled – The Journey of Connection

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In the CreateBecome journey, growth includes expanding consciousness , vibrating at higher frequencies, perhaps even within our DNA. There are discussions about our DNA resonating with the universe, vibrating with quantum energy. This song reflects that idea. It’s about becoming more, connecting at deeper levels, and growing entangled in the intricate web of existence.

The concept of entanglement from quantum physics mirrors this journey. It’s the idea that particles, once linked, can communicate instantaneously, no matter the distance between them. In the same way, our lives are woven together—through relationships, helping others, getting involved, diving into the unknown. "Grow Entangled" is about that interconnectedness: embracing the connections that help us grow, evolve, and find meaning.

Musically, entanglement is reflected in the way the instruments intertwine, gradually building into something greater. The different themes play off each other, growing together until they reach a climactic rock finish. The tension builds, but ultimately, the song resolves in triumph and joy, affirming that connection leads to fulfillment, not isolation. It’s fundamental physics.

 

Wave Function Collapse – The Moment of Resolution

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"Wave Function Collapse" draws inspiration from a concept in quantum physics: the idea that what was once potential becomes a fixed reality through observation. The wave, full of possibilities, collapses into something definite, a decision made, an outcome realized. It’s a moment of resolution—where uncertainty gives way to clarity.

But taking a stepback it may be that the big wave never truly collapses; instead, the observer simply takes a different path in a multi-dimensional universe. In “Wave Function Collapse”, this idea is reflected in the constant movement between possibilities and outcomes, moving towards a positive resolution. In CreateBecome, the journey is defined by the constant flow of decisions, leading toward a desired movement and new positive reality.  There’s a feeling of triumph —the realization that something good has happened, that decisions have been made, and the future has been shaped.

Musically, "Wave Function Collapse"  has a progressive rock feel, with piano, guitar, and jazz ensemble instruments working together to create a layered, intricate sound. Acoustic guitar appears here and there, adding depth, while the piano weaves throughout, binding the different elements together. It’s a journey from potential to realization, with each instrument adding to the clarity of the final outcome.

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I Don't Know Why – The Answer in the Question

 

"I Don’t Know Why" is an answer to "Questions Like Blue Sky", or maybe just another question in response. As the final song on the album, it feels right to leave things open-ended.

The original version of this song was written years ago, back when I felt like having all the answers was essential. Back then, uncertainty felt like something to solve, like a locked door waiting for the right key.

But over time, I’ve realized something: it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being comfortable with the questions themselves. Knowing where I stand, staying open, asking the right questions—that’s the key to understanding and staying on the trail. What truly matters is the moment—the experience, the journey, the unfolding—even if I don’t always know exactly where it leads.

The journey and the destination share meaning as part of the same lesson. The focus shifts—from finding solutions to appreciating the process, from needing certainty to trusting the unknown.

In the CreateBecome story, there’s a quiet peace in knowing that all of the questions will be answered—maybe not today, but someday soon. Until then, it’s about enjoying the journey, embracing the uncertainty, and learning to ask the questions with curiosity and purpose.