Celtic Passage- Artist: D eirdre Ni Chinneide,   Label: Sounds True  Review The Celtic calendar is the inspiration for a wonderful production of music that traverses the history, religion and grand spirit of Celtic music.  Deirdre Ni Chinneide offers a musical unlike no other as she delves into the emotional side of the story of the Celts. The album has wonderful vocals and powerful orchestrations that are quite an unbeatable combination. My most preferred track on the album was called Arise My Love. It is a sweet, poignant song, a prayer really that asked for some of the answers. We further plead that we be worthy and that we are granted grace.

Sacred Road Revisited: 10 th Anniversary Edition - Artist: David Lanz,   Label: Narada Review This legendary musician and veteran of the genre keeps coming back with exciting new variations time after time. His talents have been a formidable presence in New Age piano music for three decades and remains strong. Sacred Road was his tour de force and his new variations are more than welcome as new friends. Take the High Road was my favorite on the recording. It reminds me to turn over a few rocks now and then, stare at the clouds once in a while and look for the big picture in an ever-shrinking universe.

Muses Of Aqua and Deva - Artist: The Luminous World Orchestra,  Label: Brahmasong Records   Review Neo-symphonica at its best. These two albums both conducted by Steve Chesne with the LWO were the high point of the year. Both CDs were completely absorbing and very inspiring. Chesne’s combination of soundtrack like scores and Eastern influences never fails to delight the ear. His choice of ethnic instruments blending methodically with the full orchestra is extraordinary. It is the voice of music yet to come. My favorite track was Cantus Firma, a tune that catapulted me around the world in song and spirit.

Gardens Of Hope- Artist: Frank Smith ,   Label:  Self Released Review Guitarist Frank Smith is anachronism for me. He takes me back to the time when the genre was young and the Will Ackermans and the Alex De Grassis of the world were honing their skills and building a new genre. Smith’s album is somewhat of a culmination of that time and a friendly reminder of where it all came from and perhaps where it is going. His album features terrific guitar and light contemporary ensemble pieces that are soothing and inspirational. Frank plucks emotion and faith from his strings and the sound is unique. My favorite track was called Out of My Hands, a song in which the writer or the listener gives in to the strength of his faith and surrenders to the fate.

When Evening Falls- Artist: Tom Salvatori & Iris Litchfield,   Label: Self Released  Review Classical composers Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield tried their hand at contemporary acoustic tunes and frankly, it was quite a success. Their album When Evening Falls is full of light, relaxing music that guarantees to please. These pastoral guitar and piano tunes are further enhanced with the talents of cellist John Catchings. I liked every cut but Reflecting Absence was a favorite. The song is a lament perhaps, or a sad, beautiful dissertation on the loss of someone loved.

Floatovations: The Realm of Levitation- Artist: Jo Blankenburg,   Label: Self Released Review This album was a real surprise to me. The music combined the warm, comfortable elements of echoing piano, lush orchestration and terrific guitar by Kawiti Juventin. The recoding is a sort of musical rejuvenation using the organic sound and feel of water. The album may be only five tracks, but every one of them is filled to the brim with emotion and delight. My favorite tune was Reaching the Seabed. It is a song that takes all we have learned and felt so far and directs us to the one place where the answers reside. You will have to listen to the album to determine where that special place is.

The Shape of Light- Artist: Jeff Ball,  Label: Four Winds Trading Company Review Native American flutist Jeff Ball offered a terrific album of music that takes a wounded history and heals it into a strong future. Jeff’s use of traditional instruments and stories from a rich and diverse heritage make for more than interesting listening. The best cut for me was one called Escape of the Medicine Man in which the Native man’s inner struggle for peace and justice are balanced on the edge of insurrection. The album’s songs had great accompaniment with guitar, cello, bass, violin and "hang".

Something You Dream Of...- Artist: Denise Young,   Label: Dancing Horses Music  Review Up and coming pianist Denise Young plays her heart out on her new album Something You Dream Of… Her CD is full of dream music with light ensemble that delivers enchanting contemporary pieces. She is one of the many new artists taken under wing by legendary guitarist and producer Will Ackerman and the perfect production of the album speaks for itself. The title tune is just about the best on the album. It declares that dreaming in the land of “what if” is still an acceptable mode of travel. Of all the contemporary albums I listened to this year, this is one of the best hands down.

Delightful Voyages- Artist: David Findlay,   Label:  Overproduction Records  Review  Take some wonderful piano, add a soupcon of film score and add an imagination powered by experience and faith and you have a glorious album of a hundred and one journeys that you can take in your mind anytime. I thoroughly enjoyed every cut on David Finlay’ s album and I continue to listen to it even months after the review. The best track was From Above, a song inspired by faith and one of the best pastoral pieces I ever heard.

Beneath The Covers: A Rediscovery- Artist: Gypsy Soul,  Label: Off The Beaten Track Records Review Although they have quite a few albums to their credit this was my first encounter with the husband and wife duo of Cilette Swann and Roman Morykit . The combination of voice and guitar is absolutely stunning and once you have heard them you will wonder why you had not heard of them before either. Their album is a great combination of original tunes and "covers" that they power through with dazzling vocals style and great guitar accompaniment. Although I adored their rendition of The Moody Blues' chestnut Nights in White Satin, my favorite was one of their original songs called Silver Lining.