Known and loved by fans of instrumental New Age for more than 10 years, Chris Spheeris enters 2000 by adding the sensually uplifting Dancing with the Muse to his already large body of work. Influenced by everything from the Southwestern landscape to Middle Eastern exoticism to ancient world mysticism, Dancing stretches into eight lengthy pieces grounded by piano, synthesizer, and subdued vocals. Gradually building in size and intensity to the nearly 14-minute "Invisible Hands," Dancing functions as a cycle, and as a soundscape for the internal life of seekers. For his part, Spheeris is not only expressing his spiritual and artistic evolution, but playing right into the hands and hearts of his most fervent listeners. --Paige La Grone