Sausalito, CA-based Real Music remains one of the true vanguards of new age music, balancing its more pop-oriented instrumental releases with a whole division dedicated to sacred Eastern traditions and musical meditation. This collection, designed to "honor the ripples across the universe," is a wonderful way to get into the spirit, literally, of letting your troubles free and listening to the voice within. Its aim is inner peace, and it's a magical journey of lightly percussive, transcendental music and frequent soothing vocal passages -- fully dedicated to those who desire ambient assistance in slowing down. Featured artists on this expansive hourlong gathering include
Jeff Beal,
Nawang Khechog,
Karunesh, Buedi Siebert, and
Deva Premal. Each has a unique individual voice, but the true impact of the collection comes only with straight-through listening. Company founder and project executive producer
Terence Yallop's words of inspiration have been part of the packaging of all of Real Music's products; this time, as an added bonus, his warm British tones, backed by gentle atmospheric waves of sound, provide guided, image-laden meditation for 16 minutes on a second disc.
Honoring is a quiet journey, but one that's very necessary to combat the complications of life in the modern world.