iven that so much of what L. Ron Hubbard accomplished musically depended upon tools drawn from his development of Scientology, it is only fitting that his final album, initially released in 1986, would constitute a Scientology musical statement. That album, featuring performances by such Scientology luminaries as John Travolta, Julia Migenes and Chick Corea, is aptly entitled The Road to Freedom.

Essentially religious music in Scientology style, The Road to Freedom represents the culmination of all Ron pioneered as Music Maker. The album offers ten L. Ron Hubbard compositions to convey essential Scientology truths for what he described as "wide public acquaintance with what Scientology is all about." If the result does not immediately match preconceived ideas of devotional music, it is because Scientology does not require blind devotion. Its truths are self-evident and not a matter of faith. The Road to Freedom, then, does not preach; it informs.

Central to its message is the very key Scientology datum that as inherently spiritual beings, our actual capabilities are far in excess of what anyone has allowed us to believe. In that regard, and particularly when viewed vis à vis the traditionally devotional religious hymn, The Road to Freedom becomes a powerful affirmation of who we are, and what we can potentially accomplish.

Case in point, is "Why Worship Death?" In opposition to the traditional requiem wherein death is seen as a terrifying doom, Ron’s "Why Worship Death?" is cheerfully defiant. After all, what is the passing of a body to a spiritual being, who is absolutely certain of his own immortality? It is, as the song proclaims, "a sham, a curtain of forgetfulness instilled as a memory jam."

In the same uniquely optimistic vein, is "Laugh a Little" to remind us that our contentment and well-being is entirely within us, and "Make It Go Right," to remind us that we can, indeed, prevail over all life’s barriers. Also included is a musical explanation of L. Ron Hubbard’s nonreligious moral code, The Way to Happiness, and his perennial advice, as contained in his song, "The Good Go Free":

"Try to live a decent life of truth and honesty

And you will find with a peaceful mind, the good go free."

In contrast to the typically "The Worried Being" -- drugged, harassed and obsessed with sickness -- the title track is an unrestrained celebration of precisely what Scientology offers: a road of self-discovery wherein one finds,

"You are not mind or chemicals, you don’t even have a form.

You’re in a trap of senseless lies."

Appropriately, the rhythms employ Ron’s signature surge and his carefully composed melodies fully integrate with a message that effectively sums up both this album and his life:

"To you there is no limit, knowledge is your key

Take the route of auditing and once again be free."

The final selection, "Thank You for Listening," features a rare L. Ron Hubbard a cappella performance posthumously discovered on a demonstration cassette. Remixed and placed to music, the song becomes a fitting coda to not only the album itself, but to all that Ron had to say as Music Maker:

"Thank you for listening. I write just for you."

To order Road to Freedom, click here