Kitaro's style is the epitome of the contemplative, highly melodic synthesizer music often associated with the new-age movement. Interestingly enough, this famous Japanese composer taught himself to play electric guitar in high school -- inspired by the R&B music of Otis Redding. In the early '70s, Kitaro formed the Far East Family Band, which... [+] Read More

Kitaro's style is the epitome of the contemplative, highly melodic synthesizer music often associated with the new-age movement. Interestingly enough, this famous Japanese composer taught himself to play electric guitar in high school -- inspired by the R&B music of Otis Redding. In the early '70s, Kitaro formed the Far East Family Band, which released two albums of progressive rock. In 1972, however, he met the innovative German synthesist Klaus Schulze during a trip to Europe. Kitaro was hooked. He built his first synthesizer and began experimenting with all kinds of unusual sounds. His first solo album, Astral Voyage, appeared in 1978 and quickly gained a cult following. Two years later, he produced the first of several soundtracks for Silk Road, a Japanese television documentary series that ran for five years. Several albums of music from Silk Road were released to a growing international contingent of fans who admired his combination of lush, majestic textures and gentle, almost naive, melodies. Kitaro, however, was still considered an underground artist in America until he signed with Geffen Records in 1986, which re-released seven of his earlier albums and gave him the support to expand his scope in many ways. For instance, after years of creating albums in the privacy of his home studio near Japan's Mt. Fuji, Kitaro produced his 1987 release, The Light of the Spirit, with the help of Mickey Hart. The album featured an array of American musicians and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best New-Age Performance category. That same year, Kitaro also made his first live tour of North America and sold two million albums in the U.S. alone. Kitaro's style had changed as well, becoming more theatrical and assertive while retaining a certain level of innocence and purity. His more recent recordings also show a renewed interest in the rock and pop elements that originally attracted him to music in the late '60s; in 1998, he also released the soundtrack to Cirque Ingenieux, a production bound for the Broadway stage. Thinking of You followed a year later; Ancient appeared in spring 2001. It was well received, leading to a sequel of sorts in the like-minded Ancient Journey in 2002. His contributions on the soundtrack to the controversial Chinese drama The Soong Sisters came out the same year, as did a live album and DVD. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide [-] Hide

One of new age electronic music's earliest and best-known proponents, Shadowfax was formed in Chicago in 1972 by saxophonist Chuck Greenberg, guitarist G.E. Stinson and bassist Phil Maggini. Originally a blues band, the trio soon began exploring chamber jazz and folk; even medieval music began creeping into the mix, appropriately enough for a... [+] Read More

One of new age electronic music's earliest and best-known proponents, Shadowfax was formed in Chicago in 1972 by saxophonist Chuck Greenberg, guitarist G.E. Stinson and bassist Phil Maggini. Originally a blues band, the trio soon began exploring chamber jazz and folk; even medieval music began creeping into the mix, appropriately enough for a group named in honor of a horse from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. Adding drummer Stuart Nevin in 1974, Shadowfax issued their debut LP, Watercourse Way, two years later; failing to make an immediate impact, the quartet did attract a cult following which continued to grow following their subsequent signing to the Windham Hill label. 1982's eponymously titled effort was their commerical breakthrough, reaching the upper rungs of the Billboard jazz charts; for the follow-up, 1983's Shadowdance, Shadowfax's ranks swelled with the additions of violinist Jamii Szmadzinski and pianist/synth player Jared Stewart. The group endured multiple personnel changes in the years to follow, with founding members Greenberg and Maggini both remaining constants well into the 1990s. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide [-] Hide

For many years, John Tesh went virtually unrecognized as a musician and composer, instead enjoying television success as the co-host of the nightly showbiz news magazine Entertainment Tonight; while his initial attempts to mount a recording career were met with scorn and ridicule, he enjoyed the last laugh on his detractors, rising to become one... [+] Read More

For many years, John Tesh went virtually unrecognized as a musician and composer, instead enjoying television success as the co-host of the nightly showbiz news magazine Entertainment Tonight; while his initial attempts to mount a recording career were met with scorn and ridicule, he enjoyed the last laugh on his detractors, rising to become one of new age instrumental music's biggest superstars. Born July 9, 1952 in Long Island, New York, Tesh began playing piano at the age of six; as a teen, he also played organ and trombone with local rock bands. After graduating North Carolina State University with a degree in music and communications, Tesh worked at a progression of television stations throughout the southeastern U.S., later graduating to the position of anchor at the CBS network's New York City affiliate. In 1981, he joined CBS Sports as a commentator, where he later won Emmy Awards for his Pan American Games theme and the theme to the Tour de France.

In 1986, Tesh left CBS to host the syndicated Entertainment Tonight with co-anchor Mary Hart; while television remained his primary focus, he continued writing and performing music, and in 1988 issued his first album, Tour de France. Critics panned his brand of melodramatic, orchestral new age music, but the success of further efforts including 1989's Garden City proved a growing audience existed for his work. In 1991, Tesh won another pair of Emmys for his music for NBC Sports' coverage of the World Track and Field Championships; a year later, he formed his own label, GTS, and issued Romantic Christmas, his biggest hit to date. Smashes including 1993's Monterey Nights and 1994's Sax by the Fire followed, and in 1995 Tesh's PBS special and album Live at Red Rocks emerged as something of a phenomenon. He soon left Entertainment Tonight to focus all of his energies on music, scoring successive hits with the likes of 1996's Sax on the Beach and its 1997 follow-up, Sax All Night. Grand Passion followed in early 1998, trailed a year later by One World and John Tesh & Friends. Pure Hymns was issued in fall 2000 and Pure Orchestra and Pure Gospel followed in early 2001.

Classical Music for Babies (And Their Moms), Vol. 2 appeared later that spring. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Pianist/composer Peter Kater is known for his scores for television, film, and theater, as well as for his own recordings of light jazz and new age music. Born in Germany, Kater moved from Munich to New Jersey when he was four. He began piano lessons three years later, and studied classical music until taking up rock & roll in his early teens.... [+] Read More

Pianist/composer Peter Kater is known for his scores for television, film, and theater, as well as for his own recordings of light jazz and new age music. Born in Germany, Kater moved from Munich to New Jersey when he was four. He began piano lessons three years later, and studied classical music until taking up rock & roll in his early teens. At the age of 18, Kater moved to Boulder, CO, where he played improvised music and lived for over a decade before moving to rural Virginia, where he built EarthSea Studios. Until the opening of EarthSea in early 1997, Kater had recorded exclusively for the Silverwave label, starting with his debut release, Spirit, in 1983. He went on to release over 20 albums on Silverwave, including highly successful collaborations with R. Carlos Nakai that resulted in, among others, How the West Was Lost, Vols. 1-2 and Migration (1992), which also received the NAIRD Best New Age Album Indie Award. Several of Kater and Nakai's recordings rose to the Top 20 of Billboard's new age chart, and a few of Kater's own releases -- which range from solo to quintet lineup -- have charted in the Top 25. Since starting his EarthSea label, Kater has released albums including 1998's Compassion and another collaboration with Nakai entitled Winds of Devotion (1999). Source Music released Heart's Desire in early 2001.~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Andreas Vollenweider was one of the few musicians to gain superstar status as a "new age artist" back when the term was first used as a marketing category in the mid-'80s. The Swiss harpist, however, quickly transcended the need for alternative record sales when his albums simultaneously broached Billboard's pop, jazz, and classical charts in... [+] Read More

Andreas Vollenweider was one of the few musicians to gain superstar status as a "new age artist" back when the term was first used as a marketing category in the mid-'80s. The Swiss harpist, however, quickly transcended the need for alternative record sales when his albums simultaneously broached Billboard's pop, jazz, and classical charts in 1986. Born in Zurich in 1953, Vollenweider was ensconced in the city's fine art scene, courtesy of his father, one of Europe's leading organists. After becoming proficient on guitar, flute, and other instruments, the young Vollenweider developed a passion for the harp, which he modified to suit his needs. Not only did he construct a damper to expedite more rhythmic playing, he broadened the harp's tonal range by electrifying it. His buoyant funk beats, exotic pan-cultural influences, and colorful harp improvisations began to sweep Europe in the early '80s as Vollenweider signed with CBS Records to release Behind the Gardens...Behind the Wall. Three albums later, he won his first Grammy for 1987's Down to the Moon. Over the years, Vollenweider has managed to maintain his artistic integrity and vision despite increasing commercial success. The harpist's 1991 album Book of Roses is a testament to his ability to expand his scope as a composer while keeping his trademark sound intact; after a lenghty hiatus, he issued Kryptos in 1998, followed two years later by Cosmopoly. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Kitaro is one of the most celebrated new age performers of all time. The Best of Ten Years (1976-1986) is a collection of deep and dramatic symphonic synthesizer classics from his first decade as a solo performer. It is a great set with Kitaro's signature gracious melodies and hypnotic crescendos. It is an excellent starting point for unfamiliar... [+] Read More

Kitaro is one of the most celebrated new age performers of all time. The Best of Ten Years (1976-1986) is a collection of deep and dramatic symphonic synthesizer classics from his first decade as a solo performer. It is a great set with Kitaro's signature gracious melodies and hypnotic crescendos. It is an excellent starting point for unfamiliar listeners with a desire to enjoy his music. ~ Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Steve Halpern is recognized as the foremost pioneer in the use of music for programs of health, well-being and recovery. Composer, recording artist and producer of more than 50 titles, Halpern now presents Creating Love, an exquisite collection of music compiled from some of his most outstanding albums. These superbly synthesized harmonies so... [+] Read More

Steve Halpern is recognized as the foremost pioneer in the use of music for programs of health, well-being and recovery. Composer, recording artist and producer of more than 50 titles, Halpern now presents Creating Love, an exquisite collection of music compiled from some of his most outstanding albums. These superbly synthesized harmonies so relax your body, mind and spirit that they automatically resonate to their own truth. Halpern is joined by Dallas Smith on Lyricon, Daniel Kobialka on violin, Suzan Mazeron on electric harp and Bettine Clemen-Ware on flute along with others. The music enhances many moods and gets even better with daily use. ~ MusD, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Nick Webb and Greg Carmichael, the duo core of Acoustic Alchemy, forego the traditional greatest-hits route by taking an amazingly fresh approach to the concept on their ninth venture Arcanum, which presents the spruced-up live performance evolution of nine old favorites along with three solid new tracks. Yet the best-selling British melodizers... [+] Read More

Nick Webb and Greg Carmichael, the duo core of Acoustic Alchemy, forego the traditional greatest-hits route by taking an amazingly fresh approach to the concept on their ninth venture Arcanum, which presents the spruced-up live performance evolution of nine old favorites along with three solid new tracks. Yet the best-selling British melodizers even twist the conventions of a typical concert disc by opting to record those takes at England's legendary Pinewood Film Studios, away from the roaring crowds and in the presence of string members of the London Metropolitan Orchestra. The most striking new element is the explosive electric guitar approach of longtime cohort/former producer John Parsons, who adds some staggering zing to the kinetic "Reference Point" and "Casino," while shading in a slightly more subtle manner on the loping "Catalina Kiss" and "Mr. Chow." The strings don't receive a huge workout, but they add new drama and flair to the Western movie themes of "Lazeez" and glamour to the new ballad "Chance Meeting." Those with really keen sonic discrimination will also detect a slightly relaxed tempo on an all-time top Acoustic Alchemy tune, the autobiographical "Same Road Same Reason." AA's ongoing brilliance for creating images by tying together title, rhythm, melody, and mood is the true charm of the disc, and the duo's storytelling abilities are in crisp bloom on the soaring "Columbia," the opening and easily best new track. The piece, inspired by the musicians witnessing a space shuttle launch, speaks eloquently of their wonder and anticipation while effectively suggesting the rocket's propelling thrust. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Aaberg's Windham Hill debut features solo piano pieces with folk and impressionistic elements that evoke the wide-open spaces of the American West. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide

Aaberg's Windham Hill debut features solo piano pieces with folk and impressionistic elements that evoke the wide-open spaces of the American West. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide [-] Hide