When it comes to popular music, a proven formula is a safer bet than chancing something new. Apparently, such is the wisdom behind Conjure One, the new project spearheaded by Delerium and Front Line Assembly architect Rhys Fulber. As he did with Delerium, Fulber pairs guest vocalists of the mostly ethereal variety with gauzy ambient-tribal pop full of Eastern shadings and just enough chanting to maintain the spooky quotient. And when

On their third album, In the Garden of Souls, Vas doesn't so much extend their sound as go deeper within it. Singer Azam Ali continues singing in tongues; she's an intoxicating priestess who invites you into terrain that's both sacred and sensual. Her voice is framed by her own hammered dulcimer and the percussion of Greg Ellis. He draws on a trap set that replaces tom-toms, snare drums, and cymbals with djembes, dumbeks, udu drums, chimes, and bells to surround Ali with a seductive swirl of throbbing percussion, while Cameron Stone adds sinewy, raga-like cello lines. You can hear the influence of Abbess Hildegard von Bingen's medieval chants on pieces like "Inamorata" and "Beyond Despair," while "Inward Coil" builds from a plaintive folk tune into a classical crescendo. Azam Ali's voice is a stunning instrument, hovering between the ululations of Iran, where she was born, and the extended, note-bending melodiousness of India, where she was raised. In a language of the imagination, she's revealing a glimpse of heaven ~ John Diliberto

As soft and eloquent as a prayer, as vast and impressive asa mountain, this is a grand work by former Dead Can Dance singer Lisa Gerrard and Irish composer Patrick Cassidy. Emotional, ethereal, and evocative, "Immortal Memory" is a timeless album of extraordinary transcendence. Lisa Gerrard gained fame as the amazing voice of Dead Can Dance, and is now winning awards for her scores to such films as Gladiator and Whale Rider. Patrick Cassidy is widely recognized as Ireland's most important classical composer and has released three acclaimed albums. The name of the second track, "Elegy", fits the mood here perfectly; this is music firmly rooted in the classical mystic soilof Gorecki and Handel, but branching up through mysterious blackened thunder clouds. This music may evoke the mourning rites of death, but it also conjures the immortal spirit's ascent to heaven. ~ Angelica Huston

"Once in a Red Moon" continues Secret Garden's tradition of organic storytelling melodies and straight from the heart performances with a wink back to the innocence and raw simplicity of their debut. Lovland and Sherry felt that their second and third recordings, White Stones (1997) and Dawn of a New Century (1999), were conceived as larger - scale projects which would help build the scope of their live performance presentation. This time, they wanted to let the natural performance of the piano and violin be the leading force; to this end, they built their productions based on the first, original sensitive and raw takes in the demo phase. There are also some unique new elements: guest appearances by the Irish National Symphony Orchestra and RTE Concert Orchestra players performing live in the studio fronted by Sherry; guest vocalist Karen Matheson of Scotland ; Swedish harpist Asa Jinder. ~ Jonathan Widran

Following on from his bestselling "Global Spirit", Karunesh’s inspired artistry on "Global Village" is a musical expression of his vision of a unified world - where different cultures can enrich each other to help us remember that we are all connected. Deep, resonant male vocals, delicate female voice, Govi’s heartfelt guitar solos; sensual dance grooves, African tribal songs & globe-spanning instrumentation blend with a strong India influence that gives a refreshing and emotionally rich ambient sound. Karunesh takes us on a moving and meaningful global journey. ~ newworldmusic.com

Global Spirit is a world music section unto itself. Experience a fusion of vocals from India, Australia, Africa, Native America, and the Middle East combined with a rhythmically contemporary instrumental mix that features violin, sitar, didgeridoo, bouzuki, native flute, Chinese temple flutes, tamboura, bamboo flute, various world percussion instruments, wave drum, samples, and more.
A masterful blend of exotic world rhythm and vocals combined with visionary ambient textures and melodies, makes Global Spirit an epic journey into the newest realms of international musical fusion. ~ whiteswanmusic.com

Earthsongs is a curious title for an album that is unrooted in the firmament and seems far removed from any traditions therein. Instead, the duo of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland make music lost in a gauzy haze of nostalgia and sentimentality. On Earthsongs, they move further from the safely exotic, Celtic-meets-New-Age sound in which they forged their early successes and float down an easy-listening path. ~John Diliberto

"White Stones" is Lovland and Sherry's second collaboration, and, despite a few side trips into weighty sentimentality (e.g., the heart-clutching earnestness of "First Day of Spring"), it nicely conveys the pair's simple yet endearing children - of - the - cosmos spirit. Highlights here include the disc's energized, Celtic-influenced tunes ("Steps," "Moving," "Escape") and an infectious, regal charmer ("Celebration") Lovland composed in honor of the Queen of Norway's 60th birthday. Accompanied on nearly every piece by a small orchestra or Celtic instrumentalists, Sherry's violin sometimes evokes moods of melancholy that seem better suited for a two-hanky, movie - of - the - week film score. Yet a piece such as "Hymn to Hope" shows she can also elegantly trigger deeper feelings of longing and anticipation that can linger for hours ~ Terry Wood

Songs from a Secret Garden is the debut album from Secret Garden, released in 1996. It consists of 13 tracks. I find the songwriting to be proficient, the musicianship to be skillful, and the sound quality to be satisfying. Secret Garden is made up of duo Rolf Lovland (piano/keyboards) and Fionnuala Sherry (violin). Except for the upbeat "The Rap," the rest of the compositions are somber, yet beautiful and soothing.
The album, however, offers much more than this duo; it is awash in orchestral strings (real ones), a choir (real one), and as many percussionists, harps, fiddles, keyboards, and whistles as are needed. Songs from a Secret Garden, a chart-topper in Europe, is unabashedly romantic, absolutely gorgeous.. ~ Carol Wright

Dreamcatcher, not listed as a greatest-hits collection, is made up of previously recorded works. Secret Garden, Irish violinist Fionnuala (fi-NOO-la) Sherry, and Norwegian pianist / keyboardist Rolf Lovland, along with various guest musicians, always manage to surprise and execute their craft with a remarkable gracefulness of sound. Lush, rich, full-bodied, and passionate, Secret Garden stands eye - to - eye with other successful Celtic / world - music hybrids such as Loreena McKennitt and Clannad. Highlighted by the ethereal vocal styling of Gunnhild Tvinnereim ("Nocturne") and the tender laments of Karen Matheson ("Prayer"), Secret Garden weaves a mystical tapestry of classic Oriental notes, Irish flutes, deep bodhran, and bold violins. The songs soars with a wild, sea - swept energy, a true soundscape of white-sand beach and blue sky. A bonus cut, "Last Present," closes out Dreamcatcher with a simple, balanced melody - poised and inspiring. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Secret Garden's formula is plain to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on "Prayer," surrounded by Clannad - like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the hokey faux - Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing". ~ John Diliberto

Though Higher Octave Music has branched out into many different genres in its 15-year existence, the label was launched as a new age venture with numerous meditation-minded releases. B-Tribe's label debut combines this dreamy, floating vibe of relaxation with pleasant melodies and worldbeat touches reminiscent of the label's catalog in that genre. Think John Serrie with a few exotic brushes from Ottmar Liebert. Claus Zundel, the mastermind behind this appealing sound, recorded this effort in Ibiza, Spain, and Miami, and so it's no surprise that many of the tracks incorporate the mystical, exotic flamenco guitar weavings of Paco Fernandez. The "Intro" finds Fernandez noodling as if in search of a theme as a wash of synth mood and spacy energy wafts into the background. "Adagio in G-Minor" is a slow, brooding seduction that begins purely atmospheric but then incorporates a dreamy guitar melody.. ~ Jonathan Widran

Enchanting traditional British Isles Celtic melodies, passed down through many generations of musicians, in a beautiful new arrangement for guitars, flutes, percussion and dulcimer. ~ cdisle.ca

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Under the skilled and intuitive guidance of musician and composer Michael Hoppe on keyboards, Afterglow is a collaborative effort of deep sensual beauty and full - figured elegance. With such improvisational songs as "Shadows Fall," the driving pulse of Martin Tillman's cello intensifies the mindful meandering of flutist Tim Wheater's rounded tones. And on the bittersweet "A Thousand Whispers," Tillman's strings take on a boldly brooding neoclassicism bearing out the project's premise to have "deeply felt performances" supercede all other motives. Elsewhere, as on "The Listening Wind," Wheater's melodies float, quiver, and reverberate a pattern of primitive lines in contrast to Tillman's innovative, plucky tick - tock. Built solely on the nonwritten structures set by Hoppe, the emotionally rich and relaxing Afterglow is the spontaneous, supple, and spirited union of three of the most masterful soloists of instrumental music.. Paige La Grone

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Sacred Dances - majestic music, inspired by sacred dances of the East. Hypnotic rhythms and harmonic voices , sarangi, sarod, bamboo flutes and strings in this masterpiece of sound and silence. ~ devakant.com