Some Highly Recommended Progressive New Age / Instrumental Music

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A lot of new age music is often sadly maligned as being too dreary and soporiphic yet there are some stunningly talented bands and artists who have pushed this stigmatized label behind them and produced some truly uplifting material. These are some of my favourites in no particular order.

73		73.Zazen Canyons of Light (1995) My all time favourite new age masterpiece. Simply stunning.
My all time favourite new age masterpiece. Simply stunning.
72		72.Yanni Live at the Acropolis (1994) If you see the DVD grab that instead of the CD. A stunning concert.
If you see the DVD grab that instead of the CD. A stunning concert.
71		71.Wind Machine Change of Face (1993)
70		70.Various Artists Narada Decade - The Anniversary Collection (1993) [Compilation]
69		69.Various Artists Polar Shift: A Benefit for Antarctica (1991)
68		68.Various Artists Narada Guitar: 15 Years of Collected Works (1998)
67		67.Tri Atma Essential Tri Atma (1998) [Compilation]
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66		66.Mychael Danna Sirens (1991)
65		65.Medwyn Goodall Medicine Woman (1993) One of the 1st new age albums I heard and still one of my favourites.
One of the 1st new age albums I heard and still one of my favourites.
64		64.Blonker Tree of Life (1994)
63		63.Andreas Vollenweider Behind the Gardens - Behind the Wall - Under the Tree (1981)
62		62.Antar Paradise Café (1994)
61		61.Armik Isla Del Sol (1999)
60		60.Ayman Sawaf Doorways (1996)
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59		59.Brad White & Pierre Grill Isle Of Dreams (1996)
58		58.Bruce BecVar Rhythms of Life (1992)
57		57.B-Tribe ¡ Fiesta Fatal ! (1994)
56		56.Checkfield Reflections on a Decade (1997) [Compilation]
55		55.Chris Spheeris & Paul Voudouris Enchantment (1991)
54		54.Craig Chaquico Acoustic Highway (1993)
53		53.Crystal Wind Cafe Tropique (1992)
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52		52.Cusco Apurimac (1988)
51		51.David Arkenstone Citizen of Time (1990)
50		50.David Lanz & Paul Speer Desert Vision (1987)
49		49.Davol Mystic Waters (1989)
48		48.Denis Quinn Open Secret (1987)
47		47.Deuter
46		46.Don Harriss Higher Elevations (1994) This is an extended compilation of the very best from his 4 earlier releases. Needless to say this is simply stunning in its songwriting and execution. A brilliant but totally unknown musician who deserves so much more exposure.
This is an extended compilation of the very best from his 4 earlier releases. Needless to say this is simply stunning in its songwriting and execution. A brilliant but totally unknown musician who deserves so much more exposure.
45		45.EKO Celtica (1996) These guys have their act together very well. I have 4 of their releases, "Alter Eko", "Celtica", "Future Primitive" and "Logikal" which are all of the same high standard.
These guys have their act together very well. I have 4 of their releases, "Alter Eko", "Celtica", "Future Primitive" and "Logikal" which are all of the same high standard.
44		44.Erlend Krauser Flight of the Phoenix (1991) Not a bad album at all.
Not a bad album at all.
43		43.Exchange Beyond Words (1993) [Compilation] Excellent stuff
Excellent stuff
42		42.Gandalf Barakaya: Trees Water Life (1997)
41		41.Marc Antoine Urban Gypsy (1995)
40		40.Govi Heart of a Gypsy (1987) Very talented acoustic guitarist
Very talented acoustic guitarist
39		39.Himekami Moonwater (1989)
38		38.Jesse Cook Tempest (1995) If you know Govi, this will please.
If you know Govi, this will please.
37		37.Joaquin Lievano Ecologie (1996)
36		36.Jon Mark The Standing Stones of Callanish (1988) A bit Celtic but very interesting
A bit Celtic but very interesting
35		35.Jonathan Cain Piano With a View (1995)
34		34.Kamal His best of collection was very good.
His best of collection was very good.
33		33.Kevin Kern In the Enchanted Garden (1996) A bit soft but very melodic
A bit soft but very melodic
32		32.Kitaro Silver Cloud (1983)
31		31.Mars Lasar Olympus (1992)
30		30.Max Lässer's Ark A Different Kind of Blue (1992)
29		29.Michael Gettel Return (1990) Most of Michael's albums are pretty consistent but this is one of his best.
Most of Michael's albums are pretty consistent but this is one of his best.
28		28.Osamu Kitajima The Source (1984)
27		27.Mythos Mythos (1998)
26		26.Neal Schon Beyond the Thunder (1995)
25		25.Nicholas Gunn Crossroads (1996)
24		24.Noel Quinlan Middle Kingdom (1991)
23		23.Oliver Shanti & Friends Tai Chi (1993) This is surprisingly good
This is surprisingly good
22		22.One Blue Desires (1991)
21		21.Opafire Ricochet Sun (1995)
20		20.Ottmar Liebert Nouveau Flamenco (1990)
19		19.Patrick O'Hearn Ancient Dreams (1985)
18		18.David Lanz & Paul Speer Desert Vision (1987)
17		17.Pia Benediction Moon (1998) [EP]
16		16.Peter Kater Two Hearts (1986)
15		15.Phil Thornton & Hossam Ramzy Immortal Egypt (1998) This contains some well developed eastern / ethnic influences which adds greatly to the music.
This contains some well developed eastern / ethnic influences which adds greatly to the music.
14		14.Philip Riley & Jayne Elleson The Blessing Tree (1998) I was amazed at how brilliant but sublime this album was. So majestic but understated
I was amazed at how brilliant but sublime this album was. So majestic but understated
13		13.Prem Joshua Hamsafar (1996)
12		12.Quintana + Speer Leroy Quintana Paul Speer Shades of Shadow (1992)
11		11.Ray Lynch Deep Breakfast (1984)
10		10.Richard Burmer Shining by the River (1995) [Compilation]
9		9.Secret Garden Songs From a Secret Garden (1996)
8		8.Mehdi Instrumental Dream Volume 1 (1997) Most of Mehdi's CD's follow a pretty regular pattern but just like Kitaro, they are highly melodic and enjoyable.
Most of Mehdi's CD's follow a pretty regular pattern but just like Kitaro, they are highly melodic and enjoyable.
7		7.Shahin & Sepehr One Thousand & One Nights (1994) Opening tracks are stunning
Opening tracks are stunning
6		6.Stevan Pasero w Christopher Bock Stevan Pasero Christopher Bock Songs for the Wild (1996)
5		5.Steve McDonald Spinfield (1989) I am still amazed at how good this is.
I am still amazed at how good this is.
4		4.Strunz & Farah Misterio (1988)
3		3.Suzanne Ciani The Private Music of Suzanne Ciani (1992) [Compilation] Excellent piano
Excellent piano
2		2.Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire III (1979) Tell me you're not blown away by the opening track, "Toccata"?
Tell me you're not blown away by the opening track, "Toccata"?
1		1.Bill Douglas Circle of Moons (1995) So musically sweet and complete. Stunning musicality with an earthy Celtic overlay.
So musically sweet and complete. Stunning musicality with an earthy Celtic overlay.
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