Pure Moods, Vol. IV
More potpourri than unified high concept, the fourth installment in thePure Moodsseries nevertheless provides an interesting collage of acts associated with techno, ambient, alt-pop, and New Age genres. For some listeners, that means the transition from the rhythmic mystical-ethereal vibe of the first four tracks (fromEnigma,Mythos,Delerium, andSarah McLachlanand a splendid piece fromBalligomingo) to a trilogy from New Age romanticists (Secret Garden,Yanni, and pianistJim Brickman) may seem a little disjointed. Ditto for the segue fromGeorge Winston's impressionistic 1980 solo piano piece, "Sea," to aSteve Reich-like minisymphony fromMoby). And the concludingAfro-Celt Sound Systemtrack, a spirited, mandolin-driven piece withPeter Gabrielon vocals, is a stylistic island unto itself. Still, most fans of easy-listening contemporary music (particularly the  adventurous ones) should find this an agreeable assortment of music from artists who infuse their craft with stronger-than-usual spiritual and emotional subtexts.--Terry Wood