After appearing on a number of Windham Hill various-artists compilations, Sean Harkness finally issued his debut album, Aloft, in 1999. It’s a collection of guitar instrumentals with a variety of tones (Harkness uses both regular and nylon strings, and steel guitars as well) and styles (quiet new age, bouncy smooth jazz, and a bit of flamenco as well). Harkness may not be entirely distinctive yet, but he’s got more than a bit of potential. – Steve Huey