Turning

Suzanne Ciani is one of the classiest new age performers of this -- or any other -- era. Turning is her 11th album and her first to include vocals. The title track has romantic lyrics written by Ciani and performed by Chyi Yu. It is the opening track and it is a grabber. That is a good start and Ciani builds on it strongly. Her classical training and her spiritual sensitivity ooze from every chord and every note on this CD. The gentle melodies are elegant and regal, the atmospheres are soft and warm, and the soundscape is lazy and seductive. And the nicest feature of this CD is Ciani herself. Her smiling countenance on the front of the disc is the first clue. In the liner notes she gives up the mystery: "I make these records firstly for myself...(and) to communicate with whomever will listen...(Turning) was a joy for me to make...for me and for you." Any work created with that 12-step philosophy is a guaranteed winner. This is an essential new age classic. It will appeal to fans of Lisa Lynne, Nancy Rumbel, Constance Demby, and Dean Evenson. ~ Jim Brenholts