The Light Of The Spirit

Tracklist

Mysterious Encounter
Sundance
The Field
The Light of the Spirit
In the Beginning
Moondance
Howling Thunder
Journey to a Fantasy

About

The Light Of The Spirit by Kitaro was originally released in 1987. It’s known for its tranquil, spiritual, and atmospheric sound, which blends elements of traditional Japanese music with electronic and new age influences. The album is one of Kitaro's most iconic works, receiving widespread acclaim for its calming, meditative qualities.

The music on The Light Of The Spirit takes the listener on a journey, evoking a sense of peace and connection with nature and the universe. Kitaro's use of synthesizers, flutes, and percussion instruments gives the album a rich, textured sound that feels both ancient and modern. It also reflects themes of spirituality and human experience, with the title itself suggesting a quest for enlightenment and inner peace.

The album was recorded in collaboration with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, who served as one of the producers. The music is characteristic of Kitaro's style, blending electronic music, traditional Japanese motifs, and an atmospheric, meditative sound that explores themes of spirituality and the life cycle.

The track "The Field" from this album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Age Performance in 1988, marking Kitaro's first nomination for the award.

This project was tracked at Kitaro's studio in Japan on an Otari DTR 900 thirty-two track digital recorder using one inch tape. Overdubs were done at Fantasy Studio "D", Berkeley, California, on a Mitsubishi X850 thirty-two track digital recorder. The project was mixed from an Otari DTR 900 thirty-two track to a Mitsubishi X80 digital recorder using one-quarter inch tape. In the Mastering process Meyer's Phase Correction filters were used to feed the signal to a sphere custom console using Sontec equalization. FInally, the signal was transferred to the Sony PCM 1630 digital recorder using U-Matic tape which has a sampling rate of 44.1 Khz. This Master tape was used in making the compact disc. The final analog master disc was cut from the Mitsubishi X80 as well as the Bin Loop Master from the audio cassettes. John Meyer's Model 833 studio monitors and subs were used in the overdub sessions.

Credits

Producer — Kitaro, Mickey Hart
Mixing — Kitaro
Engineer — Tom Flye
Programming, operation — Jeff Sterling
Assistant engineer — Tom Size
Assistant producer — Ruriko Sakumi
Design — Laura LiPuma
Photography — Yukio Ohyam, Ryuzo Toyotaka

Musicians

Kitaro — arranger
Hiroshi Araki — guitar
Bobby Black — pedal steel guitar, guitar
David Grisman — mandolin
Mickey Hart — percussion, special effects
Tomoyuki Hayashi — keyboards
Zakir Hussain — percussion
David Jenkins — guitar
Jose Lorenzo — percussion
John Meyer — flute
Lynn Ray — vocals
Jeff Sterling — synthesizer
Jeanie Tracy — vocals
Norihiro Tsuru — violin
Bobby Vega — bass guitar

Releases information

Exact Release Date (US): The album was released in the US on July 1, 1987, while some other markets saw a June 1 release.
Label: Geffen Records (original release), Domo Records (later reissues).
Sales Success: The album achieved significant commercial success, with sales exceeding two million dollars in the United States alone, a major turning point in Kitaro's international career.

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