Andreas Vollenweider - White Winds (1984)

Andreas Vollenweider's 1985 effort White Winds, subtitled "Seeker's Journey," features the composer's modified electric harp in pieces that are much more experimental than what would later emerge as the prevailing sound of new age. A brief introduction features the lapping of a boat in a slip, but it soon fades into the angular forays of "Hall of the Stairs," which itself drifts into the more conventional ethno-jazz of "Hall of the Mosaics (Meeting You)." Vollenweider's harp is joined by full percussion and a bank of synthesizers for "The Glass Hall (Choose the Crystal)," breaking the song down to showcase the unique sound of his instrument. Even when it's accessing the soothing tones of new age, White Winds seems to lie closer to contemporary jazz instrumentalism, as the repeated phrasing of these songs suggests. Vollenweider even gets lightly funky on the awesomely named "Flight Feet & Root Hands." With his early-'80s work, the Swiss performer was establishing himself as a leader of the burgeoning new age genre. White Winds is a good example of his sound, which mixed accessibility with uniqueness and some true musical exploration.

by Johnny Loftus

Tracklist:

A1a The White Winds
A1b The White Boat (First View)
A2a Hall Of The Stairs
A2b Hall The Mosaics (Meeting You)
A3a The Glass Hall (Choose The Crystal)
A3b The Play Of The Five Balls
A3c The Five Planets
A3d Canopy Choir
A4 The Woman And The Stone
B1 The Stone (Close Up)
B2 Phases Of The Three Moons
B3 Flight Feet & Root Hands
B4 Brothership
B5 Sisterseed
B6a Trilogy (At The White Magic Gardens)
B6b The White Winds