Artist description Thermal Romantic Jazz, Music from the Edge of Passion. Smooth, yet Intense instrumentals rich with New Age textures. Ground-breaking instrumentalist and self-taught keyboard wizard, Michael has established a unique multi-genre style. Combining elements of Jazz, New Age, Fusion and Rock, Michael has developed this tasteful mixture into smooth but powerfully composed musical soundscapes. Calling his style "Thermal Romantic", the overall presence is a warm rhythmic feel, complimented with nice Grand Piano and well done Lead Synth emphasis. Each piece evolves & transends through counter-melodic changes and lush passages maintaning a nice groove and drive throughout. While Michael's Hard Rock background influences the up-front Drums and strong Bass foundations on some cuts, another stand-out is his crafted use of fragile percussives on others. Adventurous and fresh, these expressive compositions have a soft edge that cuts through. Sometimes a slow Jazz Funk and sometimes a delicate glide through a haunting dream. Michael's vast experience with Soundtrack production has helped develop his mastery of complex New Age textures.

Music Style Smooth Jazz / Jazz Fusion / New Age (Thermal Romantic)

Musical Influences Brian Eno,Pink Floyd,David Sanborn,Dave Brubeck,Miles Davis

Similar Artists David Sanborn,Stanley Clarke,Thrill Element,Joe Sample

Artist History Well known in the New Age genre after the releases of "Fresh Out Of Nowhere'(1989), 'Sleeper'(1990) and 'Voyager: Grand Tour Suite'(1990), Michael is now being recognized in the Jazz arena. During the time between his initial CD releases, Michael worked long and hard developing a more Smooth Jazz / Jazz Fusion based form of music. Introducing the new style in 1999 with the release of 'J' & 'Project 7:Area 51', both albums were a departure from the more ethereal early CDs. With the release of 'Outlaws In Babylon' in August 2000, 'Predicting History' in January 2001 and 'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4' in June 2001, Michael Lee has further defined the style of music he calls 'Thermal Romantic'. A tasteful blend of Jazz, New Age, Fusion and elements of Rock. Music from the Edge of Passion. Originally a Hard Rock drummer, Michael Lee also plays Keyboards, Bass, Guitar & Percussives. An experienced producer & engineer, he is currently involved with several production side projects as well as numerous Soundtrack assignments. In 1981 he founded Darksilver Records and Realdream Productions. Then, in 1986, he established Darksilver Music (BMI), the in-house music publishing company for Darksilver. Constantly composing and refining his craft, Michael Lee currently has a digital catalog of over 620 songs. All of the cuts were recorded & mixed in his private midi production studio, Positive Energy One. This Summer saw the completion of the unique, Four Volume/Four Disc,'Witches And Old Maids' set. In September 2002, 'Witches And Old Maids-East', containing 14 all new cuts was released and in December 2002, 'Witches And Old Maids-West', featuring 12 all new cuts, made its debut. 'Witches & Old Maids-North' was released in March 2003 and 'Witches & Old Maids-South', released in June 2003. The last two CDs of the set feature 12 cuts as well, with Six all new songs and Six from the MLT Digital Archives. Each Disc in the set features fresh and unique artwork. An ambitious production plan embarked on by Darksilver Records America and Michael Lee, releasing 50 New cuts in just under ten months. Along with these CDs, will be exclusive songs and special compilation Mp3.com CDs available only on Mp3.com. Also featured on Mp3.com, Thrill Element(www.mp3.com/thrillelement), a major side project featuring a more New Age/Soundscape music style. Check out the Thrill Element site for another musical flavor of Michael Lee Thomas.

Group Members Michael Lee Thomas

Instruments Keyboards, Bass, PCM Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Drum Programming, All Percussives and Keyboard Percussion

Albums 'Fresh Out Of Nowhere'(1989), 'Voyager:Grand Tour Suite'(1990), 'Sleeper'(1990), 'Project 7: Area 51'(1999), 'J '(1999), 'Outlaws In Babylon'(2000), 'Predicting History'(2001), 'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4'(2001), 'Witches And Old Maids-East'(2002), 'Witches And Old Maids-West'(2002), 'Witches & Old Maids-North'(2003), 'Witches & Old Maids-South'(2003)

Additional Info Photography by Dustin Downing

Location Century City, California - USA

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