RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2020. CATALOG # 202002. UPC: 855925004493

This album like prior releases uses a myriad of midi and real instruments throughout a network of musicians across several areas and cities.  The ideas are many and are intertwined influences of orchestrated jazz, classical, new age and rock.  As a combined group not one composer is greater than another, hence this is a group collaboration and credited as such under the name “LONGSHORE”.

Continuing its evolution, this album looks at the Templars. Where they travelled. The People and Places they saw. The Battles they fought. 

1. Siege of Ascalon – in 1153 the capture of the Egyptian fortress by the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.

2. Acre and Saladin – a port city where several battles took place between 1189-1191.  It was a major setback for Saladin’s ambition to destroy the Crusader States, as Richard, the Lionheart was part of the Third Crusade who defeated Saladin.

3. Bedouin Ghosts – previous nomadic Arab desert dwellers who roam the lands.

4. The Hajj – a fundamental practice by Muslims, to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least one time in their lives.

5. Nicea to Antioch – marching through the Seljuk lands that controlled these cities, The First Crusade captured Nicea in June 1097 then in June 1098 captured Antioch.

6. Muslims and Christians – both religions have lived together and have died fighting each other in the same areas for centuries dating back before the First Crusade.

7. Judean Desert – it lies East of Jerusalem and descends to the Dead Sea. It’s also where the ancient fortress of Masada is and where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

8. Jerusalem – sits on a plateau between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. Has been settled since the 4th millennium BCE.

9. Jaffa – an ancient port, conquered by many, including Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Christians, Ottomans and Muslims.   

10. Law of the Prophets - can be described by those who wrote Old Testament, New Testament and the Quran.

11. Safad in Galilee – was the home of Jews who practiced Kabbalah.  It is considered a strong tradition in mystical Judaism.

12. Dome of the Rock – one of the oldest works of Islamic architecture.  It is at the center of the Temple Mount and the site of the Temple of Solomon.

https://youtu.be/OWQLW8-A7ls