Eric Bikales is a composer and musician who lives in the majestic hills of Tennessee. His solo CDs: Follow Your Heart, and Fire in the Clouds demonstrate a unique compositional language and a skillful technique on piano that results from years of study and practice. Eric's newest CD: Mandala shifts gears into his uniquely transparent arranging and orchestration ability. This concept record is a synthesis of "12 truths" Eric has laid out in musical form. Each uniquely expressed in the abstract--and each worthy of contemplation as an essential human quality. Drawing from a wide range of musical influences, Eric weaves a tapestry of modern synthesis with traditional acoustic instruments. This is the work of a composer although it sounds most definitely like an ensemble. The orchestrations are such that each player contributes only what is needed musically to produce a unique timber. When an instrument is no longer need, it's gone--but you don't notice it's missing. The ensemble sound is made up of piano, electric pianos, flute, alto flute, bass flute, melodica, fretless bass, percussion, acoustic guitar, Hammond B3 and a healthy dose of synthesizer soundscapes. Mandala is one of those records you can listen to over and over again without getting tired.