The Nature Of Light- Artist: Brian Henke,   Label: Self Released Review The music that emanates from Brain Henke's amazing 29-string Dreamcaster guitar is a wonder to behold. The acoustic acumen of this talented artist will make you sit up and pay attention. It is quite a trick to transform light into music. I guess Henke’s is a human laser beam of sorts. His 21 cut album will require replay time after time. My favorite on this album is something called Sunrise Over America. It reminded me that you can be high up on a mountain and yet the sun provides comforting warmth. I guess that is one of Brian’s points and well made.

I Am A River- Artist: Bill Leslie,   Label: Capital Broadcasting Company Review Talented Carolinian Bill Leslie puts out his fourth album and his best to date. His trademark American Celtic pennywhistle and acoustic string ensemble will lull you into a world that is pure Appalachian magic. His latest album with a water-borne theme has just the right flow to transport you into a world of musical dreams. Tin whistle and violin sing a dulcet duet on my favorite cut River of Peace. The title says it all. I am holding my breath until Bill’s next foray into solo as well as orchestral delight. It will be sweet.

Beyond Grand Canyon - Artist: Nichlas Gunn,  Label: Gemini Sun   Review When I wrote the original review I had not yet been witness to the grandeur of one of America 's greatest treasures, the Grand Canyon . As I write this I am fresh from that miracle and I can say without a doubt that Nicholas Gunn got it right the first time. It is a mystical soundtrack to the heartbeat of a planet that is still changing. His music is like the sedimentary rock that makes up the canyon surface; layer upon layer of majestic beauty. Michael Fatali's otherworldly art on the companion DVD is a pleasure and a blessing. My favorite track is The Boneyard in which Gunn transforms the actual feeling of a visit to the natural wonder into pure sonic beauty.

An Ancient Muse- Artist: Loreena McKennitt ,   Label: Quilan Road Review I never get tired of Loreena McKennitt's music. Her talent for translating history of fact and fancy into original music always catches my heart and spirit. She takes us on the roads much traveled from the past and guides us along the roads of the present with her unique Middle Eastern/Celtic style. Her vision is to travel along every path taken by the ancient Celts and her journey seems never ending. Caravanserai is my noted track on the album and I have sonically traveled along with this imaginary caravan a hundred times and I will do so many times more.

Sacred River - Artist: Gandalf,   Label: Real Music Review Gandalf's recording, Sacred River is like a placid course of water that encircles a magical place. He has taken ebb and flow, ripples and waves and translated them into music with crystal clear elements. Notably, Gandalf has a lot of music to his credit, but this one is a favorite. His Zen-New Age piece called Blossoms Falling Like Snow is enthralling and captures every aspect of soft white petals that fall into still waters and disperse ripples of calm. Every kind of day along every kind of tranquil water is captured on this album.

A Thin Silence- Artist: Jeff Johnson,   Label: Ark Music Review Jeff Johnson's solo album is a study in Christianity and the strength of faith with a decidedly contemporary Celtic theme. Noted as one of the talented duo known as Johnson and Dunning, he creates a musical coat of many colors that can be worn by anyone who allows their spirit to be an open door. Piano and synthesizer, voice and silence all play their part on this meditative album. Overcoming Lies is my favorite track and has some very distinguishing sounds on it that defy normal description. You should be the judge.

Skye- Artist: Longing for Orpheus,  Label: Self Released  Review This is another album that comes out of nowhere and offers you a chance musically, to be anywhere you want to be. Skye's (Derek Smootz) repertoire runs the electronic gamut of New Age genres and does it rather adroitly. The keyword for this album is passion; passion for music, passion of living and a passion for life. A Moment of Clarity: Sonata for Night is the favored track and once you hear the balance between East and West you get the overall theme. Great dreaming music.

Threshold- Artist: Crystalline Dream,   Label: Solovey Music   This album is the find of the year. Richard and Korey Ross performing on flute, recorder, guitar and other instruments is a work of musical art. One word to describe Crystalline Dream’s album would be surrealistically sparkling. Okay, that's two words, but sometimes words are wholly inadequate to describe an album and this one should be heard to be appreciated. This one came out of nowhere and it should land right in your collection. Favorite track is Ethereal Gauze.

emblem- Artist: Amethystium,   Label: Neurodisc Records  Review  If you’ve ever heard Amethystium's music then you know that it is the stuff that dreams are made of. Poetic, ethereal and earthy best describes the musical sojourns of this amazing talent from Norway. Emblem is a compilation album from his so-called Dragonfly Trilogy and on it you can hear and feel the dragonfly taking wing, dipping, soaring and guiding you to a world that you heretofore only held in your imagination. Elvensong, a truly Tolkienesque experience is the best of the best on this album.

The Village Lanterne- Artist: Blackmores Night,  Label: SPV Records  Review Blackmores Night features the king and queen of Renaissance Rock, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and singer Candace Night as they offer their latest and best album. It makes you want to pull up a bench and raise your cup to the tavern keeper’s daughter in this exciting tribute to the old worlds of legends, heroes and their ilk. The title track songs like The Village Lanterne, Fairie Queen and trademark instrumentals like my favorite, The Messenger will have you longing for a time when honor was more valuable than gold. Perhaps we should take a lesson from the past.