The world of music in 2021 is totally different today than it was 40 years ago and to that you can also add even 20 years ago. As quickly as the music world was turned on its head with the advent of the CD in 1984, in 2021 we’re looking at a completely unique approach to the art of music listening. Some artists and labels are completely eschewing the compact disc and embracing the digital playlist as a way to get their music and artists into the ears of the listeners. Myndstream took over the catalog of New Age music label Real Music a few years ago, and thankfully they haven’t completely forsaken the CD as they released a physical CD entitled Musical Healthcare by Chuck Wild in 2021. The label’s latest, entitled myndstream collection Volume 1 is currently available on download only. The list of artists participating on myndstream collection Volume 1 reads like a who’s who of progressive music and New Age music icons including Daniel Lanois, Mark Isham, Jordan Rudess, Michael Whalen, David Torn and Rick Wakeman among the dozen artists appearing.

There’s clearly no shortage of top-notch musical ideas in play on myndstream collection Volume 1. Rick Wakeman’s contribution, “The Sunflower Ghost” is very unique, with Rick playing what sounds like a toy piano, shrouded in layers of deep, ghostly sounding synths. This track, like many others on myndstream collection Volume 1, is exclusive to this album and is a must for Rick’s many fans. The track “And Then There Were No Words…” by fusion guitarist David Torn, features his solo electric guitar in a very deep and dark musical setting. Another guitar track here, “Garish” by UK guitar ace Michael Brook, is both minimalist and lush sounding at the same time while the lead off track “Blue Steel”, features another kind of guitar-related sound, a pedal steel guitar track by long time guitarist / producer Daniel Lanois. One of the developers of New Age, rock instrumentals and soundtracks, Mark Isham seizes the moment with the humorously titled “Song Of The Firefly Harmonium”. Although highly regarded for his jazzy trumpet sound, on this track clocking at 5:27, one of the longest tracks on the album, the accent is strictly on synths and minimalist keys.

Other highlights include jazz-fusion keyboard ace Jordan Rudess on a stately and ethereal piano solo called “Whispers Of Hope”, and a very synthy-sounding track called “Always Returning” by album co-producer Michael Whalen, that effectively layers a number of different keyboard sounds. Other artists, including Kathryn Bostic, Lisa Bella Donna and others add in their own brand of synth-based electronic New Age vibes. Listeners seeking out the album on compact disc will have to wait as myndstream collection Volume 1 will be exclusively available on major streaming platforms beginning in late September of 2021. No matter what your preferred blend of instrumental electronica is, myndstream collection Volume 1 has it all covered on what will surely be one of the most acclaimed New Age, ambient and electronic music collections of 2021.