The eMusic Dozen: New Age

Robert Rich has been an instrumental (pardon the pun) force in the evolution of new age music since his ambient sleep concerts dating back to the early '80s. His catalogue covers everything from dark and foreboding soundscapes to warm, organic electronics. Calling Down Sky might be his most accomplished and complete work. It's ethereal and expansive, combining electronics and sampling of Rich's own instrumental playing. If you had to download one Robert Rich album, this would be it.

Trying to recommend just one release from Deuter is kind of like trying to choose just one dessert from the kitchen of Paul Bocuse -- they're all divine, but Buddha Nature really speaks from the heart and art of Deuter, both personally and musically, as he reaches from deep within to craft five exquisite suites dedicated to transcendental being. "Illumination" is a 27-minute epic of pure radiance and grace.

Former Russian rock god Boris Grebenshikov joins Gabrielle Roth on this moving tribute to Tibet. Grebenshikov's deep Sanskrit chants over a bed of electronics, organic rhythms and instruments like the nay flute are memorable to say the least (he sounds like a Marlboro-smoking Siberian shaman). And on the dark and sensual "Tara Mantra," he's joined by Roth, and the two sing in perfect yin/yang alignment.

The man behind the curtain (and in some cases, kirtan) of Tulku is musician/producer Jim Wilson. On previous efforts, he's enlisted the aid of Jai Uttal and others. On Season Of Souls, Wilson calls upon the likes of vocalist Krishna Das, peyote singer Mike Primeaux and seventh generation Mayan medicine man Don Alejandro. This is new age fusion at its finest, synthesizing beats and voices from around the planet, epitomized by "Cold Mountain Meltdown," a haunting epic driven by Das' rumbling baritone.

While some may not consider it a worthy achievement, Susan Ciani's classic Velocity of Love helped define the "The Wave" format of AOR (adult oriented radio) in the '80s. The standout title track swept Ciani up from obscurity as a jingle musician to writer and performer of one of the most played songs of the time. The rest of the album is equally delicate and refined as fellow new age legend Vangelis adds keyboards on the rest of the album's tracks. This is canonical stuff, to say the least.

This is the most popular release in New World Recordings' collection. One listen and it's easy to tell why. Hossam Ramzy (who's worked with Peter Gabriel) surrounds himself with a band of smoking players hailing from his native Egypt. Jamming on an array of indigenous instruments including nay flutes, dumbeks, pan flutes and tambourines, Ramzy and company team with guitarist Phil Thornton (B-52s, Talking Heads) to create an exotic fusion of ancient rhythms with modern production, embellishment and flair. It's a superb treat for purist and experimentalist tastes alike.

With only three albums to their credit, Rasa have quickly become a spiritual force in new age music. Hans Christian (bass, cello, production) and Kim Waters (vocals) continue their fine exploration of the sensual and sacred on Shelter. Rasa's interpretation of traditional material is exceptional. While honoring the spirit of the bhajan on a track like "Jaya Radha," their rendition has an almost Celtic feel to it, sounding more like Clannad than classical Indian, but blessedly free of subversion or cultural plunder. Simply sublime.

You won't find Eric Wollo on many end caps in Borders or Barnes & Noble, but the Spotted Peccary composer is one of the most underrated new age musicians of the last decade. His work, particularly on Emotional Landscape, is deep and yearning, filled with color and feeling. This is music that stretches out and really expands without losing a sense of gravity, particularly on tracks like "Mountain Beach."

Looking for something to supplement your Deep Forest/Enigma fix? Step into the Chakra Lounge where downtempo beats collide with Gregorian chant, Parisian café music, flamenco guitar, soaring vocals and simmering samples of exotic origin. This hyper collision of style and sound comes together without a hiccup and continuously provides surprises and delight from start to finish.

Comala is like no other record you've ever heard -- or will ever hear. It's Mayan space music that's psychedelic, thunderous and surreal. Reyes plays most of the instruments on the record, including guitar, flutes, synths and a variety of percussion instruments. This is not feel-good fare, but powerful medicine that evokes primal memory and ancient wisdom. The final track, "El Arrullo De La Mujer Dma, Mujer Luz," includes a vocal recording of medicine woman Maria Sabena, who reportedly turned Aldous Huxley onto mushrooms.

No serious best-of selection would be complete without Steven Halpern's classic Chakra Healing Suite. Halpern pioneered the use of particular notes that resonate with a particular chakra (energy center) and then moves the listener from root to crown, harmonically resonating with each ascending tone. Included in this version is an addition of Halpern's follow-up work, Spectrum Suite, also based on chakric alignment.