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Born in Stuttgart Germany, Ralf Illenberger started to perform in 1977. His first album Waves (with fellow Guitarist Martin Kolbe) was released in 1978 and was nominated for the German Record Awards. Critics called them, “The Best German Guitar Duo.”
Illenberger released seven European recordings during the next nine years, exploring styles that ranged from new-classical to avant-garde to progressive jazz. Through Germany’s Goethe Institute, Illenberger, and Kolbe played more than a thousand concerts during the ’80′s in over forty countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
In 1987, he formed the band Circle. Their eponymous album was released by Nardad in 1988 and was a top-10, year-end pick in Pulse! magazine. Circle’s follow up album was Heart & Beat (1990). Its title song became a major radio hit and captured the No. 1 spot on three major airplay charts: R&R’s NAC, Gavin’s Adult Alternative and MAC’s PAC. The album held R & R’s No.1 NAD spot for four consecutive weeks.
In 1993, Soleil received four stars in Downbeat. Some other accolades include: “One of 1993′s masterworks on guitar.” Gavin, “One of the best examples of the New Age genre.” Chicago Tribune Since 1991, Illenberger has worked closely with former Paul Winter singer, Susan Osborntouring Japan five times and recording several albums with her (Susan Osborn won the Japanese Granny in 1992 and is currently on the Pony Canyon label). Illenberger arranged music on her recent release The Pearl, which they performed live on Japanese TV in 1996.
Since 1994, Ralf has been working in his studio in Sedona, Arizona. There he recorded Sedona and Still Waters (with David Friesen), which was voted “audiophile recording of the month” by Stereoplay magazine in May 1997. With The Gateway, Illenberger has created a timeless masterpiece, crafted like a magnificent landscape. “Since I’ve been living in the Sedona Red Rock region my relationship to Nature and Spirit has become more important. I am very interested to explore more and more the magical and mystical side of music, the technical aspects are secondary, music has the ability to be a gateway to other worlds, I want to create music that appeals not only to the ear, but mostly to the heart and soul.
A quiet favourite in Sedona, Ralf plays with his band which includes Fitzhugh Jenkins, Eddie Barattini on drums, Mark Thomas and sometime featured guests, father and son guitarists, Robin and Eric Miller.
See more at Ralf’s web site www.ralfillenberger.com
Soleil 
1. First Beam
2. Dancing Kachinas
3. Thin Blood
4. Soleil
5. You and I
6. Nightfall
7. Dark Glow
8. Traveler in Time
9. Sunstorm
10. Quiet Morning
11. Southwest
Soleil touches upon elements of jazz, fusion and folk, released in 1993 on the Narada label.
Heart and Beat
1. Heart and Beat
2. Love Bird
3. Forrest
4. Fun Tango
5. Sunday at Home
6. Heart Rocks
7. Eastern Borderwalk
8. Sign of Horus
9. Marimba (Rain Dance)
Circle (click the picture to listen to samples)
1. Horizons I
2. Blue Darkness
3. Big Change
4. Jump
5. Gemina
6. Moonfood
7. Nightflight
8. Ballad
9. Horizons II
This is guitar music for guitarists! Ralf shows what a genius can do with digital delay. Crank up the volume and kick back with the headphones. I saw he and Budi perform many of these songs live and this isn’t just overdubbing. He literally plays along with his own licks. Budi does some awesome solos with a south american instrument shaped like a big pipe. Listen closely and you can hear him both rubbing it and blowing into it.
The Kiss (click the picture to listen to samples)
1. First Touch
2. Love Flow
3. Symphonique
4. Beyond The Clouds
5. Fields Of Love
6. Afterglow
His intricate guitar work slides easily between the new age and jazz genres, and by expanding the usual range of instruments a bit, he achieves what he set out to do with this album: to create a modern day long-form tone poem of sorts. The third track, “Symphonique,” is especially alluring, with the guitar creating a delicately spiralling musical motif. It makes good background music, but the complexity of the arrangements also makes it excellent headphone listening – it engages, as well as soothes, your mind.
Gateway (click the picture to listen to samples)
1. The Gateway
2. Cosmic Boogie
3. Wide Open
4. Blue Planet
5. Caveland
6. Someone’s Coming
7. Electric Storm
8. The Winged Isis
The music on this CD cannot be classified. It is so unique and full of incredible energy. Everybody should get to experience it!
Sedona (click the picture to listen to samples)
1. Riding The Wave
2. Falling Down
3. Sedona
4. Frogs
5. Secret Canyon
6. Crying Sky
7. Full Moon
8. Once Again
9. Ravens Above
10. Still Blue
11. Face Shift
12. Dream Catcher
I have worn out this CD about 5 times already! It’s beautiful, mystical, energetic, and truly inspiring. Anyone who has an ear for really quality music will appreciate this. A haven of joy to anyone who has been previously disappointed with instrumental music!
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