Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn [Remastered] (CD 2000)

A much more musically mature composition than either of Mike Oldfield's previous hits, (Tubular Bells / Hergest Ridge), and far better musically than anything subsequent except perhaps the Re-Mastered Tubular bells TB30, Ommadawn is a master-work, filled with strong and beautiful Gaelic inspired themes that stay with you. Dynamically it builds from the gentlest of themes, becoming a wall of sound at some points and develops into Oldfields most complete work. A mixture of Gaelic inspired chants and primeval African rhythms that hold the interest throughout, but never become tedious or monotonous. This is a serious listening album - (there's so much in there to discover)- but it's also mild enough for use as a low level musical backdrop whilst studying; this SACD holds a very good recording of it too.