Narada Decade Two: Evolution, 1992-2001 (2-CD Set)
Once a contemporary instrumental/New Age label to the core,  Narada Records dramatically revised its aesthetic posture during the  latter half of the 1990s. Following its acquisition by Virgin Records  in 1997, Narada intensified its expansion into neighboring musical  genres (principally world and jazz) and, as showcased on this two-disc  sampler, has become a far more diverse label--practically a whole new  Narada. How much has changed? Consider: On a 29-track compilation (all  previously released material) with a running time that exceeds two  hours, just one solo piano track appears ("Sunrise" by Russian pianistKostia).  Longtime artists such asEric Tingstad & Nancy  Rumbel,David Arkenstone,  andMichael Gettelmake appearances on disc one, while disc two demonstrates--sometimes to  jarring effect--just how eclectic Narada has grown. The suave flamenco  guitar ofOscar Lopez, for  example, is followed by a sweaty brass-and-percussion workout by the  all-star ensemble Cuba L.A., which is then followed by the detailed  finger-style guitar ofDon Ross. Flamenco  (Chuscales)  later leads into funk-flavored uptown jazz ("Onward, Upward," a  terrific track fromAlex Bugnon), then  moves into an Oriental vocal dreamscape (Sheila Chandra),  smooth jazz (saxophonistWarren Hill), and  then a traditional Mexican-Indian vocal piece (Lila Downs).  Worthwhile stuff, just a little strangely juxtaposed in a single  package.Narada Decade Twoserves more as a sampler that  displays the label's diversity and eclectic nature than a cohesive  listening experience. Looking for a bliss fest? Maybe tryNarada Decade.--Terry Wood