Steven Halpern & Georgia Kelly - Ancient Echoes (1978)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Steven Halpern - Spectrum Suite (1976)
Georgia Kelly - Seapeace (Music for Harp) (1978)
Steven Halpern & Dallas Smith - Natural Light (1984)

Quietly stunning new age sounds from synth-man Steve Halpern and harpist Georgia Kelly. Filled out with a bit of flute and haunting, wordless vocals. I put this on the other day at the record store, and I'm just sitting there vibing when my coworker asks what we're listening to. I say, "Oh, just a little new age, you know," cause I'm the only one who works there who likes new age so I know she doesn't give a shit about either artist and she goes, "Oh, nevermind, I thought it was the Zelda soundtrack."

Track listing:
1. Ancient Echoes
2. Apollo's Lyre
3. From Eleusis
4. Sand Dance
5. Tarashanti
6. Dharma Duet (Part One)
7. Dharma Duet (Part Two)
8. Crotona
9. Ode for Orpheus
10. Sphinx Synergu
11. Ceremony
12. Temple Priestess
13. Oracle at Delphi

Emanations from eternity

You should also listen to:

Constance Demby -
Sunborne (1980)

Kay Gardner -
A Rainbow Path (1984)

Steven Halpern & Dallas Smith - Natural Light (1984)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Steven Halpern - Spectrum Suite (1976)

Gorgeous, tranquil new age sounds from synth maestro Steven Halpern and flautist/clarinetist Dallas Smith, who also plays a bit of synth. As I write this, I've finally gotten home from a long-ass day at work, and Natural Light is reminding me of why I listen to ambient music.

Track listing:
1. Natural Light
2. Play of Light
3. Harp and Soul
4. Firelight
5. Shared Visions
6. Butterfly and the Lotus
7. Flowing with the Changes
8. Serenity
9. The Light in Your Eye

Rivers of memory

Also listen to:

Michael Genest -
Crystal Fantasy (1984)

Dan Hartman -
New Green Clear Blue (1989)

Steven Halpern - Spectrum Suite (1976)

Soothing, minimal keyboard pieces by new age guru Steven Halpern. Halpern's the kind of guy whose LP sleeves read like a resume, so that you know that he's qualified to make chill-ass new age music. Like, it's not just some schlub off of the street that's plinking around on those keys -- this man's a professional!

Many, many different versions of this album have been released, all with slightly different track listings, so in case you're wondering, this is the 1988 CD version.

Track listing:
1. Keynote C - Red
2. Keynote D - Orange
3. Keynote E - Yellow
4. Keynote F - Green
5. Keynote G - Blue
6. Keynote A - Indigo
7. Keynote B - Violet
8. Leviathan Blue
9. Sakura
10. Rainbows of Life
11. Crystal Cathedral
12. Earthrise - Part 1
13. Earthrise - Part 2
14. Harmonic Convergence

Starborn

You should also give these a spin:

Peter Seiler -
Flying Frames (1986)

Hans Peter Neuber -
Mystic Castle (1989)