I probably own a good deal more Kitaro than I should, but I have never been able to keep from buying discs I haven't seen before when they show up on the resale tables. The unfortunate result is that, other than a few favorites (and a few I can't stand) I really don't have a clear idea of what I've got. The Light Of The Spirit is such a case in point. I bought it about 10 years ago, probably listened to it twice and then forgot it. Now, 17 years after it was issued, I've been listening to it and wondering how I could have let it gather so much dust.

The Light Of The Spirit is a 'project' disc, composed and performed as a unit by Kitaro and a large group of fellow musicians. As the title suggests it is more or less metaphysical in content and theme. I was originally tempted to describe the style as 'typical' Kitaro, when I suddenly realized that in 1987 Kitaro was style quite a ways from having a typical streak.

In any case it is primarily electronic with enough acoustic fusion elements to keep it from being all out space music. Kitaro has a knack for creating long drawn out melodies that are easily accessible but which never quite cross the fine line into bubblegum. In this album a lot of thought has gone into the composition and arrangement - kind of a cross between meditation and mentation.

There are a few exceptions to the general trend, notably the title song, which combines voice, guitar, and Kitaro's inevitable theramin to produce something quite special. Another is In The Beginning, which, once you get past the initial ocean effects turns into something like a new age march to glory. Hard to describe, but great fun to audition.

I like this album more than I do Silk Road, probably because the latter has been played, arranged, and orchestrated to death. In addition, The Light Of The Spirit is a surprisingly upbeat album. We a acculturated to think that spirituality is dry stuff, but Kitaro pays little heed to the commonplace. Once could almost have named this album 'Toe Tapping The Way To Nirvana.' Okay, I'm being silly. But this really is one of Kitaro's better efforts.

I just gotta say I love the whole album but one song in particular stimulates the depths of my soul every time my mind hears it and that song is "THE FIELD". Please do your spiritual essence a favor and feed your mind music that is worth feeding!!! You will be glad you did when you see the results of this music and meditation combined!!!PEACE.

I only own a few of Kitaro's albums, but by far the best is 'Light of the Spirit.'Every time I listen to it I am transported to early america before the white man invaded the land. I can visualize myself riding across the open country behind a gentle brave on a beautiful pinto pony. I have had this cassette for many years now, and I thoroughly enjoy it every time I listen to it. It was especially thrilling for me to hear some selections live from this album when Kitaro was in Denver in 1994.

I think this is the best Kitaro album. Kitaro will never reach the genious Vangelis or Jean Michel Jarre but this album almost gets there. I remember the first time I've heard the main track of this album I had an out of body experience. The vocals are perfect and Kitaro reachs perfection with this particular song. Moondance is beautiful too.

How do you review a force of nature? You can't, any more than you can review Mozart, Beethoven, or the Beatles. Like those artists, Kitaro started with an already popular form of music and transformed it into something so entirely different that there is no way to describe the difference in words. In my opinion this album is one of his greatest masterpieces.

Turn off the lights, lean back and listen to the images he creates. Unlike some other new age artists, he will not put you to sleep, but after the last note sounds you will feel like you have been dreaming for the last hour.