- The aural pleasure that awaits you on the newly released compilation Zen Connection by Leigh Wood is one of total bliss and originality. In an implicitly divine merger between eastern and western styles of music, Zen Connection features a stunning array of talent, ranging from world renowned artists such as Nitin Sawhney and LTJ Bukem to home-grown gurus like Amanaska and Ornament. Brought to us by the crew at One World Music, this double disc compilation is an absolute breath of fresh air and is utterly unique in its musical offering. The world of the "Chill Out" CD is a dangerous one, paved with a lot of dodgy music that is little more than second-rate elevator music. Once in a while something a little bit different comes along that stands out above the rest - this one because it relies on the music and not the fashion to sell. From the opening chord of Karma Shadba’s No Noise the tone is set, a soothing groove that resonates through to your inner core. Breathing Light by Nitin Sawhney is breathtakingly beautiful and the Middle Eastern sound fully takes hold with the amazing composition Panorama by Melbourne’s own Amanaska. What sets this compilation apart from the copious influx of ‘relaxation’ CDs on the shelf at the moment is the undeniable musicianship which oozes from every song on this collection. Individually each track is outstanding, collectively they project an even more powerful message drawn from the age-old philosophies of Zen. The second disc is slightly more up tempo than the first and features Journey Inwards by LTJ Bukem, an artist that is usually linked with the drum n bass scene who takes it down a notch or two for this blissed-out number. Stef’s – ‘Afterlife’ is also a noteworthy item but it is hard to pinpoint the highlights on Zen Connection as every song is incredible and each is open to personal interpretation. Above all, this one definitely makes the A-list and we look forward to more of the same from the label and the artists so keep your eyes peeled!