New Age

A counterpart of new age philosophy, new age music ranges from modernized Easy Listening to meditational, spiritual music. Using electronics, western as well as non-western instruments, and occasionally vocal accompaniment, new age musicians create subdued sounds as a counterpoint to the fast pace of modern life. Aiming for spiritual healing or transcendence, new age musicians will often borrow elements from non-western music -- just as new age philosophy adopts bits and pieces of non-western philosophy. The movement crystallized in the '80s, most notably by artists on the Windham Hill label, such as pianist George Winston and guitarist William Ackerman. The spread of new age continues unabated through specialty radio shows and programming, new age storefronts, and word of mouth.