This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
Canadian Celtic/new age/worldbeat architect Loreena McKennitt may be an odd choice for the legendary jazz label that released benchmark albums from Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, but Verve may have been moved by the undeniably talented harpist/composer/vocalist's large collection of globe-spanning gold, platinum, and multi-platinum sales awards. McKennitt's records (this is her first set of new material since 1997's Book of Secrets) tend to play like independent soundtracks to National Geographic documentaries - kind of like a more ornate, expensive version of Dead Can Dance. An Ancient Muse may break little new ground for McKennitt, but it won't disappoint longtime fans. Her fascination with Celtic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern instrumentation (hurdy-gurdy, nyckelharpa, kanoun, uilleann pipes…

Most people would preserve memories of a trip to Australia via photographs, slides or even a video. Well Robert Fox goes one stage further with this CD which derives its inspiration from the aforementioned visit made during the summer of 1991. Robert describes it as "…very much a Westerner's musical interpretation of the visit…but in no way an attempt to emulate Aboriginal music or, indeed, their culture". 'Spirit of Oz' opens in typically grandiose fashion, percussive Aboriginal samples forming the backdrop to a deceptively strong melody which makes good use of light and shade. 'Sydney Harbour' adopts a lighter stance with a simple motif played over all manner of superb atmospherics. 'Into the Mountains' picks up the pace expertly being a perfect combination of sequence, percussion and melody punctuated by samples of train station announcements which trace the journey it portrays…

Enigma mastermind Michael Crétu took a self-described "omnicultural" approach to his seventh release under the moniker, and while that progressive, pioneering notion looks good on paper, any sharp stylistic changes to the project's signature sound on Seven Lives Many Faces are subtle, to say the least. Once again, Crétu seamlessly blends ethnic fusion, new age, and neo-classical electronica into the perfect background music for a European tourism campaign commercial, peppering each track with his seemingly endless arsenal of samples, both new and old. When Enigma strikes a balance between the two worlds, as is the case on the elegant (and surprisingly muscular) first single "Seven Lives" and its spiritual and melodic counterpart "La Puerta del Cielo" (the latter most resembles the band's most notable hit, "Sadeness, Pt. 1") the results are quietly stunning…

Secret Rooms are unique internal states, emotionally complex spaces in consciousness, each expressing its individual identity and ambience. We pass from room to room; we are the thread that weaves the light and color in a continuing process of integration. With 1990's Secret Rooms, Kevin Braheny not only built the synthesizers he plays on the album, but the 3D binaural recording technology used to record it as well. This unity of technology and artistic passion informs the album with an innovative spirit, evident on the rhythmic "Shadowcatcher" and "Til You Get There," featuring ethno-percussionist Leonice Shineman. Other pieces, such as "Saturn Ballet," return to Braheny's classic, melodic electronic stylings. Synths, saxophone, piano and creative percussion give Secret Rooms a fluid, innovative sound that defines Braheny's talents as a composer, performer and engineer.

Zen Breakfast is truly classic New Age music, with floating melodies, shimmering flutes, clear bells, gentle guitar and piano. Many of the tracks remind a bit of early Kitaro, but this is definitely not an imitation of that artist or any other. While there are many Eastern influences, there are also many from the West, joining to make a soothing, mystical blend. The music is quiet and consistent enough in mood and tempo to make a very pleasant backdrop for other activities. It will also hold up well for meditation or meditative listening.

Mike Oldfield, one of the legendary figures of British progressive rock, returned with this ambitious two-disc set. 2005's Light + Shade is divided into two parts: the "Light" portion featuring upbeat and melodic tunes, and the "Shade" disc leans to moodier and more atmospheric compositions. As is his custom, Oldfield plays all the instruments on Light + Shade, as well as handling most of the recording himself; several of the selections from the album became part of the score for the virtual reality games Maestro and Tres Lunas.

Kitaro's universally acknowledged as the founding architect of new age music. The Grammy and Golden Globe Award-Winning Kitaro has achieved global acclaim over a more than three decade long career with a signature sound and a pioneering fusion of cultures, techniques and spheres of consciousness that are truly his own.

Channeling new age and spiritual jazz, the multidisciplinary artist’s debut solo album creates its own thoughtful and potent world with the help of many guests and many flutes.

Avalon - Myths & Legends is a deeply atmospheric New Age album by Gregor Theelen that explores mystical themes inspired by ancient legends and mythological landscapes. Released in 1996, the album creates a serene and immersive sonic journey characterized by ambient textures, flowing soundscapes, and meditative compositions. Each track unfolds slowly, allowing the listener to drift into a tranquil and introspective state. The use of layered synthesizers, gentle melodies, and expansive arrangements evokes a sense of timelessness and spiritual reflection. Tracks such as "The Crossing" and "Gwenved, a World beyond the Other World" stand out for their extended duration and evolving structures, guiding the listener through a cinematic auditory experience. The album emphasizes mood over rhythm, focusing on creating an environment of calm and contemplation. It serves as both a relaxing listening experience and a conceptual exploration of myth, nature, and inner peace, making it a notable work within the New Age genre.

The history of this album is as follows: In the mid-'80s, Enya recorded the soundtrack for a BBC television documentary called The Celts. The music was released on BBC Records in the U.K. in December 1986 under the title Enya. It was released initially in the U.S. on Atlantic Records in 1986. In November 1992, WEA Records in the U.K. issued a revised version of the album under the title The Celts, containing a newly rerecorded track, "Portrait (Out Of The Blue)."

Michael Crétu's formula of weaving old and new world sounds through new age atmospherics and dance rhythms has resulted in four Enigma discs that have straddled the line between brilliance and self-indulgence. The plodding bombast of 2000's The Screen Behind the Mirror seemed to signal that Enigma had stretched itself to a point where an explosion of pompous musical goop was imminent. So what's to be done when the bubble's about to burst? Simply ease up, let out some of the stuffy air, and allow for some space to breathe - and that is what Crétu has done with Voyageur. Utilizing a lighter production style, his compositions benefit from the lack of themes, chants, and assorted ethereal voices that began to plague his discs while still retaining the essence of Enigma…

Originally titled "Perelandra," after the C.S. Lewis science fiction novel of the same name, The Way Home melds sonic sophistication, emotional refinement and spirituality. Braheny's work on the EWI gives the album's two pieces, "The Way Home" and "Perelandra," a shimmering, weightless feel, which the subtle flute accompaniment emphasizes. An expressive and forward-looking album, "The Way Home" set the tone for not only Braheny's career but for much of the new age/electronic music to come.

LSD: Love, Sensuality and Devotion gathers over a decade's worth of Enigma's definitive tracks, including the song that started it all, "Sadeness, Pt. 1." "Return to Innocence," "Beyond the Invisible," and "Cross of Changes" are all featured as well, and though the collection ranges from the rock-tinged "I'll Love You…I'll Kill You" to atmospheric, electronic fare like "Shadows in Silence," since it's all essentially Michael Crétu's vision, it flows surprisingly well. Since Enigma's sound has varied fairly drastically over the years, LSD: Love, Sensuality and Devotion is the perfect starting point for anyone curious about Crétu's music, and the only Enigma album that casual fans might need.

Voices is a deep and engaging album from an e-music legend, Vangelis. This CD predates his regular use of symphony orchestras to augment his synths. His synths are, however, very symphonic. He creates broad atmospheres and dramatic soundscapes with synth hooks, chant vocals, and samples. Vangelis also adds some experimental textures and smooth melodies to cap his soundscapes. This is an exciting CD. Vangelis is in a league with few peers. In terms of stature and emotional response, this disc will appeal to fans of Enya and Yanni.

In Italian, A Posteriori means anything from "what comes after" to "behind." Dedicated to "all visionaries of human race" (sic), The album, like previous Enigma albums, is beautiful in its sonics, textures, and grooves. Michael Crétu does almost everything here save for a couple of recitations. Once more, the songs of Enlightenment composers such as Gesualdo and Monteverdi are sampled in the tranced-out mix. Are they prayers? Are they amorous songs? Unless you can understand Latin or Italian, there's no way of knowing. But Crétu has always been able to weave together the spiritual and the carnal, and it's his trademark. The more obvious trance and house beats are a near constant. One has to believe that if the folks in Tangerine Dream would have started in the 1990s instead of the 1960s, they'd sound something like this, as many of Crétu's pulsing textures are reminiscent of Tangerine Dream's Stratosfear and Tangram years…