kitaro - 
kitaro cdTRACK LISTINGS :
1. Silk Road (Shichu No Michi)
2. Bell Tower (Shoro)
3. Heavenly Father (Tenchi Sohzo Shin)
4. The Great River (Harukanaru Taiga)
5. The Great Wall Of China (Chohjo)
6. Flying Celestial Nymphs (Hiten)
7. Silk Road Fantasy (Silk Road Genso)
8. Shimmering Light (Kikari To Kage)
9. Westbound (Nishi Ni Mukkatte)
10. Time (Toki No Nagare)
11. Bodhisattva (Bosatsu)
12. Everlasting Road (Towa No Michi)
Kitaro was the major pioneer of New Age music from the mid '70s and through the '80s, and though widely imitated, no one succeeded in matching his inspired brilliance. Not even Kitaro himself, as his earlier works have a mystery and a magical quality that were to diminish slightly when he left Japan, where he had a home studio which had a dazzling view of Mt. Fuji. In the mid '80s, Kitaro moved to Colorado, and teamed with David Geffen to record some wonderful compositions, but none that compare with the exquisite beauty of albums like "Silk Road."
The tracks on "Silk Road" were culled from the soundtrack of a Japanese documentary series that began in 1980 and ran for 5 years, and are a seamless stream of melody, with a mellow loveliness and a liquid lyrical mood that does not change from track to track. This unchanging aspect of the recording makes it a superb CD for meditation or study, or just to relax with and allow the music flow through one's mind and soul.
Kitaro built his own synthesizer in the '70s, and though he had many devoted fans in America, the recordings they bought were imports, until 1986. His US recordings, starting with "Tenku", often included live musicians, and brought him a Grammy nomination and huge world-wide success, but if you want to hear the "real Kitaro", the music that started a new genre in the music industry, listen to "Silk Road." Also highly recommended are my favorite, "Ki," and a fabulous compilation of his best work, the 2-disc "The Best of Ten Years." Total playing time for "Silk Road" is 42'05. ~ Alejandra Vernon
