Innovatively fusing traditional ethnic musics with state-of-the-art rhythms, the work of Deep Forest was best typified by their 1993 "Sweet Lullaby," which brought together the contemporary sounds of ambient techno with a haunting traditional lullaby from the Solomon Islands. The project was primarily the work of the French keyboardists and programmers Eric Mouquet and Michael Sanchez; after the latter returned from Africa with boxes of records he'd picked up across the continent, he and Mouquet began sampling the native sounds for use with their atmospheric dance tracks, and with the aid of producer Dan Lacksman, their eponymous debut LP appeared in 1993. Propelled by the international hit "Sweet Lullaby," Deep Forest was a surprise success; Mouquet and Sanchez soon began work on a follow-up, this time exploring such areas as Mongolia, India, and Hungary, recording several tracks with singer Marta Sebestyen…

British electronic/new age musician David Wright was born in 1953. He has released numerous records both solo and with the groups Callisto and Code Indigo that display a wide range of influences - he spent his formative years in the Far East. Working primarily in the electronic realm - he founded his own label, AD Music, in 1989 - Wright peppers his impressionistic compositions with rock, jazz, classical, and worldbeat flavors, resulting in an instrumental smorgasbord of diverse moods and colors that has been favorably compared to Kitaro, Mike Oldfield, and Vangelis.

One of the most successful pop/classical fusion projects, Gregorian mixes well-known pop and rock songs with Gregorian chants. Overseen by producer Frank Peterson, co-founder of Michael Cretu's Enigma outfit, Gregorian's first album, Masters of Chant, released in 1999 (an early 1991 Peterson album released under the name Gregorian isn't counted among the group's official releases, but already employs the same aesthetic), became a smash hit throughout Europe, entering the Top Ten in nine different countries. The following albums continued in the same vein, covering songs by Peter Gabriel, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, Björk, Queen, Tears for Fears, and others. The Dark Side, released in 2004, put a stronger emphasis on the rock element and included songs by Nine Inch Nails and the Doors. Including two live DVD releases, several sequels to the Masters of Chant album, and a 2006 Christmas album, Gregorian sold over four million records under Peterson's guidance.

Since the late '80s, Irish singer/composer Enya has become the most unlikely of international stars, delivering lush, Celtic-driven pseudo-classical odes in her signature Wall of Sound vocal style, rarely granting interviews, never touring, and generally taking as much time as she wishes between albums. Bucking odds and industry trends, her popularity has remained steadfast, allowing her to become the best-selling Irish solo artist of all time. Following 2008's snowbound And Winter Came, her silence stretched to eight years – the longest of her career – before the mists once again parted to reveal her eighth album, the evocatively titled Dark Sky Island.

Frogs, condensed milk, the patter of rain. HUG is the new collaborative project from the celebrated guitarists and songwriters Gyan Riley, Devendra Banhart, and Noah Georgeson. Three eternal friends becoming children.

After the impressive list of awards, sales results and chart positions all over the world, Gregorian certainly need no introduction. It is in fact a project that long has become a music genre itself.
For one more time, the interpretations of iconic pop and rock songs in monk s cowl take the listeners on a fantastic journey across all genres and decades and offer a balanced mix of classic pop and rock from the past and present. Ranging from the melancholic Angel, originally performed by Sarah McLaughlin, to recent chart success by the young British alternative trio London Grammar (Strong) to maybe the most recognizable songs from the 80s, Tears For Fears Shout, Gregorian constantly perform at a high level. With two original compositions the hymn Masters Of Chant featuring the stunning Amelia Brightman who also showcases her impressive vocal range on Rihanna's Farewell…

The Dark Side is Gregorian's sixth album, released between Masters of Chant Chapter IV and Masters of Chant Chapter V. The 'Special Rock Edition' featured ten tracks. The notable differences from the standard edition are the omission of three tracks (Where the Wild Roses Grow, Uninvited and The End), the ordering of the tracks, as well as the length of the existing tracks; some are shorter. This edition also includes an extended version of Nothing Else Matters, from Gregorian's first Masters of Chant album.
One of the most successful pop/classical fusion projects, Gregorian mixes well-known pop and rock songs with Gregorian chants. Overseen by producer Frank Peterson, co-founder of Michael Cretu's Enigma outfit, Gregorian's first album, Masters of Chant, released in 1999 (an early 1991 Peterson album released under the name Gregorian isn't counted among the group's official releases…

Released in 2003 by Narada, The Symphonic Sessions is a breathtaking collection from Grammy-nominated New Age piano virtuoso David Lanz. Bringing together twelve of his finest orchestrated piano works, the album merges Lanz's lyrical acoustic piano with rich orchestral arrangements. Highlights include orchestral renditions of his signature classic "Cristofori's Dream," a lush interpretation of The Moody Blues' "Nights In White Satin," and dynamic symphonic compositions such as "Firedance," "Vesuvius," and "Water From The Moon."

French electronic music pioneer Jean Michel Jarre is an artist who requires a reintroduction every generation. Despite his massive success in the '70s and '80s, including his world-record-attendance-setting 1978 concerts at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Jarre's impressive and influential catalog lacks the ubiquitous status of similar innovators Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder. Granted, most of Jarre's most infamous work lacks the machine dance pulse that has kept his peers in a brighter spotlight. Instead, Jarre's most popular recordings can be heard echoed in the incredibly popular, yet criminally underhyped world of new age music, where his glistening synth sounds and classical ear for composition had a broader impact. But that doesn't mean the Jarre's music isn't "cool." His seminal "Oxygene Part 4" indicates the loping stride of the extremely hip Kompakt sound, while 1984's "Zoolookology" is classic electro with its own quirky twist, not a far cry from the quirky electro throwbacks being heavily peddled today. At his worst, like on 2000's "C'est la Vie," Jarre mimics the sound of insipid electronic trance music. But at his best, such as the geniusly gated bass on 1986's "Diva," he paved the way for virtually every mode of electronic music well before there were genre classifications to place each little nuance in. And it's essential that yet another wave of digitally keen music lovers rediscover his extraordinary canon.

Press play and enter the world of Loreena McKennitt, where walls dissolve into thick, billowing mists as the ground beneath your feet turns to compacted earth and the sky above opens up to reveal a black cloak dotted with shimmering stars draped beneath silk-like clouds. Were McKennitt's composing and songwriting abilities lacking of any luster (as they most certainly are not), her voice would still possess the strength to hold her fifth album, The Mask and Mirror, up on its own. But the combination of this talented woman's vocal prowess and songwriting ability makes her all the more similar to her work – ethereal and almost unbelievable in its level of quality.

Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings is an expansive three-disc atmospheric compilation released in 2003 by the Weton-Wesgram label. Spanning forty-five tracks across nearly four hours of music, the anthology blends ethereal New Age soundscapes, Celtic folk melodies, world music instrumentation, and symphonic themes evocative of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary fantasy universe. Featuring evocative vocal performances and instrumental soundscapes by artists such as Mary McDowell, Yeskim, Michiko Tanaka, Kevin Toomey, and Claudia Ponte, the collection weaves together world percussion, traditional acoustic textures, and serene orchestration. Highlights include Celtic-infused vocal interpretations of Enya classics like May It Be, Aníron, and Only Time, alongside exotic world-fusion arrangements and meditative soundscapes inspired by global folklore and ancient lands. Richly atmospheric and relaxing, this 3CD set offers an immersive musical journey for fans of fantasy soundtracks, ambient soundscapes, and New Age world music.

The Very Best Of Yiruma - Yiruma & Piano is a definitive 3-CD retrospective released in 2011 by Vitamin Entertainment, celebrating a decade of masterful compositions by world-renowned South Korean pianist and composer Yiruma. Spanning 51 tracks across three discs, this collection chronologically gathers his most beloved signature melodies (2001–2008), film and TV soundtrack compositions (such as Doggy Poop OST), digital singles, and special arranged vocal and string versions. Highlighting his expressive, emotive touch and lyrical neo-classical style, the set includes his world-famous masterpieces River Flows In You, Kiss The Rain, May Be, Chaconne, and Indigo.

Since the late '80s, Irish singer/composer Enya has become the most unlikely of international stars, delivering lush, Celtic-driven pseudo-classical odes in her signature Wall of Sound vocal style, rarely granting interviews, never touring, and generally taking as much time as she wishes between albums. Bucking odds and industry trends, her popularity has remained steadfast, allowing her to become the best-selling Irish solo artist of all time. Following 2008's snowbound And Winter Came, her silence stretched to eight years – the longest of her career – before the mists once again parted to reveal her eighth album, the evocatively titled Dark Sky Island.