Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider (b. 1953) modified his own electro-acoustic harp with pickups to achieve effects no traditional harp could produce, breaking into the global mainstream with White Winds (1984) and winning the first-ever Grammy Award for Best New Age Album with Down to the Moon (1986). He has since collaborated with Luciano Pavarotti, Carly Simon, and Bobby McFerrin.

Mood and energy: Shimmering, inventive, expansive. Recommended uses: reflection, meditation, nature immersion.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 5 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: The first-ever Grammy winner in the New Age category, and still one of the instruments most innovative voices, an essential historical entry for any serious encyclopedia of this music.