The Light of the Spirit

• Artist: Kitaro
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1987
• Total Time: 48:45
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: New Age

Review

The Light of the Spirit is one of Kitaro's best CDs. Perhaps it is because Mickey Hart co-produced, or perhaps Kitaro asked Hart to co-produce because it is so good. It doesn't really matter if either of those is the reason; this is just an awesome CD. Kitaro's specialty has always been the symphonic synth and this is no exception. He augments that synth with several guest musicians on a variety of ambient instruments. This is truly ambient music, albeit on the new age side of that style. The vocal accompaniment by Lynn Ray and Jeannie Tracy counts as instrumental as well. The sound design treats the wordless vocals as an extra sound to incorporate. David Jenkins contributes a smoking electric guitar that gives this rock & roll textures as well. This disc stands proudly with work by Constance Demby, Vangelis, Suzanne Ciani, and Dean Evenson as some of the best adult contemporary instrumental new age music. ~ Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Mysterious Encounter	Kitaro	Kitaro	(6:04)
Sundance	Kitaro	Kitaro	(6:18)
The Field	Kitaro	Kitaro	(4:55)
The Light of the Spirit	Kitaro	Kitaro	(7:29)
In the Beginning	Kitaro	Kitaro	(5:54)
Moondance	Kitaro	Kitaro	(4:44)
Howling Thunder	Kitaro	Kitaro	(6:09)
Journey to a Fantasy	Kitaro	Kitaro	(7:12)

Credits

Kitaro (Arranger), Kitaro (Producer), Kitaro (Main Performer), Kitaro (Mixing), Mickey Hart (Percussion), Mickey Hart (Special Effects), Mickey Hart (Producer), Mickey Hart (Spatialization), Jeanie Tracy (Vocals), Hiroshi Araki (Guitar), Hiroshi Araki (Guitar (Baritone)), Bobby Black (Pedal Steel), Bobby Black (Guitar (Steel)), Bobby Black (Guitar (Baritone)), Tom Flye (Engineer), Tom Flye (Recording), David Grisman (Mandolin), Zakir Hussain (Percussion), Tomoyuki Hayashi (Keyboards), George Horn (Mastering), David Jenkins (Guitar (Electric)), Jose Lorenzo (Percussion), John Meyer (Flute), Lynn Ray (Vocals), Doug Sax (Remastering), Tom Size (Assistant Engineer), Tom Size (Assistant), Jeff Sterling (Synthesizer), Jeff Sterling (Programming), Jeff Sterling (Operation), Norihiro Tsuru (Violin), Bobby Vega (Bass (Electric)), Laura LiPuma (Design), Yukio Ohyama (Photography), Ruriko Sakumi (Production Assistant), Ruriko Sakumi (Assistant Producer), Ryuzo Toyotaka (Photography), Pat Hill (Production Assistant), Pat Hill (Assistant Producer)