Pure Moods: The Ultimate Tranquil Collection CD

Unlike the single volumes in Virgin's Pure Moods series, Pure Moods: Ultimate Tranquil Collection is almost entirely instrumental, and features no name-brand artists. Its budget price will no doubt entice some listeners, especially since the package is a boxed set, and is marketed as a companion to meditation, yoga, or relaxation. ~ Johnny Loftus

Unlike the single volumes in Virgin's Pure Moods series, Pure Moods: Ultimate Tranquil Collection is almost entirely instrumental, and features no name-brand artists. Its budget price will no doubt entice some listeners, especially since the package is a boxed set, and is marketed as a companion to meditation, yoga, or relaxation. But nothing on the collection's six discs of music is particularly memorable or even creative, with most of it relying on new age clichés like hissing synthesizers, ambient nature sounds, and the twittering of ethnic flutes. There's no rule that says new age music needs to be boring; unfortunately, much of Pure Moods: Ultimate Tranquil Collection is exactly that. Despite this subpar collection, the single-disc volumes of Pure Moods feature new age and pop heavyweights like Yanni, Enya, Peter Gabriel, and Loreena McKennitt, and are worthy collections for any fan of the genre. ~ Johnny Loftus

6-CD;New Age & Ambient Music

Recording information: Blue Sky Studies, Altai, Mongolia; Bonzai Studios, Hong Kong Park, China; Regeneration Studios, Thiru'puram, India; Right Of Passage Studios, Gobi Desert, China; Spiritual Apex Studios, Santa Barbara, CA; Tausala Ratahigi Studios, Ambae Island, Vanuatu.