Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection - Various

Over the centuries, generations have come and gone, life and times have changed radically, yet the power of prayer continues to connect us to our spiritual ancestry. The latest in an exciting legacy of contemporary music all-star gatherings, Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection taps into this ongoing human need for divine connection with 12 tracks designed to stir, heal and soothe the heart and soul.

Conceived and created by longtime Windham Hill producer Dawn Atkinson, the recording features a beautiful blend of new interpretations of classic hymns and original pieces by legendary Windham Hill artists, performers from the labels current roster and a host of other classic performers.

While Dawn Atkinson has been the creative force behind numerous label collections her involvement in Prayer took on a special meaning when her father took ill with cancer. In the post 9/11 world, the concept of prayer seems more relevant than ever in terms of bringing unity and healing into our lives, she says. There seems to be a greater awareness of its universal ability to connect us. My father Condit Atkinson, a New Jersey based musician, composer and teacher, was very influential in my own musical development, and while coordinating this project, I remembered an instrumental piece he once wrote to The 23rd Psalm. I thought (guitarist) Steve Erquiaga would be the perfect artist to perform it on this album. Suddenly, this became an intensely personal project for me. With great love and admiration, I dedicate Prayer to my father.