Awaken Me

This album is amazing: i feel like this album is medicine for my soul; whenever I need a pick me up, or need to get inspired... I put this on. I can't wait for her next one!

Kimberly Haynes is a master at opening the heart and soul through her music to receive beautiful feelings of love, healing, light, and peace. Her melodic voice and insightful lyrics are a match made in heaven and then you add the amazing accompaniments and you have perfection. I could literally listen to this album on repeat!!

Kimberly Haynes marries her soulful voice and compassionate heart with beautiful melodies and lyrics that guides and encourages the listener to a path of healing and well being. This album is full of beauty and heart! A must for anyones musical library who wants to experience unconditional love and compassion from a singer who is sharing her gift thru humility and love.

I love her music, she does amazing covers of each song, and I really enjoy her music overall. This is a must get if you love covers, because honestly, I haven't found any better.

"Awaken Me" is the debut from singer/songwriter/music medicine woman Kimberly Haynes. Co-produced by David Vito Gregoli, the album features eleven original songs and guest appearances by a host of new age music luminaries. Subtitled "Songs From the Heart of a Seeker," the album is a musical journey of discovery, healing, personal growth and devotion. It is also an invitation to discover a sacred space deep within the heart. Guest artists include Gregoli, Peter Kater, Ricky Kej, Tina Malia, Andy Mitran, Al Jewer and many others. Haynes’ voice is clear and beautifully expressive, perfectly suited to the variety of musical styles contained in the collection. Haynes explains: “My songs are my prayers. It is truly a privilege to carry those prayers into the world. It is my hope that they will be a blessing to all who hear them. So I raise my voice in song to awaken a place deep within myself and in others where we can collectively begin to remember our own sacred hearts, our sacred connection to Creation, and the sacredness in each other.” "Awaken Me" begins with the title track, a song that “was born out of my yearning for clarity for the betterment of my own life and all those I touch. It is a universal need.” Both a chant and a prayer, the instrumentation on this piece is simple and serves to enhance the beauty of Haynes’ voice as well as the sincerity of her lyrics. “The Dream” is a deeply emotional and personal song about finding direction and faith - a favorite. “My Heart Knows the Way” is also a favorite. To quote Haynes: “It is about finding my own way, my own truth and personal freedom, and to live by that truth. It’s about recognizing that we are all free to do that because deep inside each of our hearts is the knowledge and the courage we need to meet every moment of our lives authentically.” A beautiful and heartfelt ballad, this song will touch anyone who listens to the words. “The Jewel” is an upbeat pop song with a message. “Do I Dare” appears in two versions. The first is a soulful song with an interesting mix of instrumental backing: medicine drum, ankle bells, didjeridu, tabla, charango, and udu among others. The lyrics search for the answer to whether or not to choose a path different from most and to find her own way - another beautifully poignant song. The second version is the “Earth Mix” and closes the album. There are vocals in this version, but it is more of an instrumental reprise. I also really like “You’re the One That I Want/ Govinda Jaya,” a love song from a woman who knows exactly who and what she wants and needs. A gentle but very rhythmic song, Gregoli is credited on this song for back vocals, bass, guitars, Rhodes, percussion, synths, and chair arm! Kimberly Haynes is a remarkable new voice and her lyrics express so much. I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from her! "Awaken Me" is very highly recommended!

On her new album, “Awaken Me,” vocalist Kimberly Haynes paints musical portraits from a diverse palate of influences that include new age, folk, soft pop, world music, and more. Her expressive voice ranges from soft to soaring with thoughtful and inspiring lyrics that touch the heart and illuminate the spiritual quest. Subtitled: “Songs from the Heart of a Seeker,” the spectrum of her eclectic and enlightening vocal performances evokes both the tenderness of a mother’s touch and the ancient feminine power of a tribal priestess singing her truth for the betterment of the community. While Kimberly’s beautiful voice is clearly the focal point of the album, it is impossible not to mention the role of co-producer David Vito Gregoli, whose own “Om Land” album, I recently had the pleasure of writing about, and which Kimberly was a guest on. Vito was deeply involved in all aspects of production and arranging the songs as well as performing on a vast array of instruments. A number of talented musicians such as Peter Kater, Tina Malia, and others also appear as special guest artists on the album. The title track which opens the album begins with a melodic chanting of Om by Kimberly accompanied by the earthy sound of Byron Metcalf on frame drum and percussion. As the song evolves it becomes more of an ensemble piece with David Vito Gregoli (Vito) on guitars, synth, and bell, and Aeb Byrne on hang drum. It’s heartfelt refrain about awakening, remembering, and listening make for a beautiful entrance into Kimberly’s inspirational music. A song entitled “The Jewel” is a ray of pure sunshine with its upbeat pop rhythm with a hint of R&B and world music. It’s a real “feel good” song that would make a great thing to listen to first thing in the morning to get your day going on the right track. A more mysterious vibe is heard on “Do I Dare,” that features the primal didjeridu sound of Stephen Kent, as well as Gareth Laffely on Native American flute, and other previously mentioned musicians. On this song, as well as some others, in addition to vocals, Kimberly also plays percussion. Among the things I’m impressed by with this album is its range. Not only in the wide variety of styles, influences, and instruments, but in the range of Kimberly’s voice. Whether it is soft and sweet like a lover’s words in your ear, or rocking it with power and passion, there is an authenticity in Kimberly’s singing that makes you feel that this is someone who has experienced the highs and lows of life and uses them all to deliver her songs with heart and soul. All in all, “Awaken Me” is a truly uplifting listening experience. To read a full-length feature article on this album, as well as others, please visit: MichaelDiamondMusic.com

Kimberly Haynes is a singer and songwriter whose debut album, “Awaken Me” (subtitled "Songs from the Heart of a Seeker"), invites the listener on a soulful journey of discovering the sacred space within and creating a conscious connection with spirit. Co-produced by recording artist and multi-instrumentalist, David Vito Gregoli, the talented virtuoso plays many instruments on this album – including acoustic and electric guitars, South American charango, bass, mandolin, sitar, banjo, piano, synthesizer, udu, drums, percussion, bells, Native American and world flutes, Gopichand and kalimba. An impressive line-up of contributing artists also includes pianist Peter Kater, vocalists Tina Malia and Aeone, Native American flute player Al Jewer, accordionist Andy Mitran and percussionist Byron Metcalf among a handful of others – who additionally lend instruments such as violin, tabla, dulcimer, didgeridoo and hang-drum. Kimberly provides both lead and backing vocals on the album’s eleven compositions – drawing much of her singing inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss and Sarah McLachlan. The title track opens with the harmonizing sounds of a singing bowl and chimes, followed by Kimberly softly singing an ethereal “Om” mantra. Serving up a seamless fusion of east-meets-west, the composition leads into a repeated phrase of “awaken me” amidst relaxing guitar and ethnic percussion. The earthy and grounding nature of this piece continues on “The Dream” – another lovely number that begins with breezy celestial tones – before leading out into a contemporary acoustic arrangement entwined with eastern percussive elements. Here Kimberly sings a soulful melody accompanied by guitar, shakers, string instruments and additional vocal features. Another one of my favorites is “Great Divide”; this piece initially begins with acoustic guitar and native flutes, which are soon followed by our lead songstress who is eventually joined by harmonious backing vocals. Celebratory and soothing, it particularly reminds me of a song one might perform with friends while gathering around a campfire under a starlit sky. The mesmerizing “Do I Dare” is another personal favorite; here Kimberly sings a heartfelt tune over a diverse array of instruments that include digeridoo, native flutes and exotic percussion. The album closes with an alternate “earth mix” version of this wonderful composition – placing a heavier emphasis on its sacred semblance and trance-like mood. A blissfully rewarding debut, “Awaken Me” boasts warmly lush arrangements and richly heartfelt melodies that are conveyed by poetic and down-to-earth lyrics. Many ancient musical elements are deftly woven into these contemporary vocal arrangements of soulful expression and sleek professionalism. There’s a folksy quality to much of the music – as it feels set in the countryside and far removed from busy city life – with Kimberly’s voice and singing style often reminding me of Joni Mitchell’s (especially when she hits the higher notes). A divinely inspirational gift that’s evocative of feminine power, I particularly recommend this album to fans of sacred vocal, adult contemporary and world fusion styles of music!

Kimberly Haynes is a music medicine woman who sings her original songs to help the listener heal, enter a place of devotion, grow within, find the right love, become courageous and explore their destiny. Her stunning soprano voice floats over a background of gentle world-fusion instrumentation. This is universal easy-to-relate-to new age music with broad appeal to listeners who enjoy new age vocals, world-fusion sounds or folk-pop sensibilities. Haynes writes new age-style lyrics that explore what she has learned about life as she has sought sacredness, personal growth and methods of healing body and spirit. She sings those words using a wonderful voice that is clear, pure, strong and soothing. A bit reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan and other top folk-pop vocalists over the past few decades, Haynes becomes distinctive due to her lyrical substance and the excellent world-tinged instrumental backing led by multi-instrumentalist and recording artist David Vito Gregoli. There are many treats -- a banjo here and a mandolin there, lots of wood flutes, guest appearances by Peter Kater and Al Jewer & Andy Mitran, sounds of India with sitar and tabla, a little dulcimer or didgeridoo mixed in, and lots of assorted guitars. This is a strong debut and is highly recommended for listeners who enjoy new age vocalists, especially with some world elements blended in.

Probably the best New Age vocal album of 2016. Each song is finely crafted and delivered with care and committment. Beautifully sung and orchestrated. Lyrics are about discovery, awakening (unsurprising) and the road less traveled. World percussion, folk elements, r'n'b, pop - a vast array of influences. Reminescent of Joni Mitchell mixed with Deva Premal and a touch of India Arie! Hightly recommended!!