Winter Solstice On Ice (BMG 01934 11459) - 1999

Winter Solstice On Ice takes the Bigger Is Better approach in its production and release. Andrea Franklin and Brian Keane work with A&E to create a soundtrack for an ice skating spectacle/travel show/Finland documentary (the show's agenda is hard to pin down), mixing music with choreographed dance. Jim Brickman acts as both Creative Consultant and host of the TV Show (snippet below). Though Keane does a good job mixing the earlier-recorded repertoire with new originals from both Classic and Contemporary Windham Hill Artists, some of the Windham Hill Fanbase consider this collection to be the lowest of the series. The second CD in particular is sometimes derided as being "Kenny G On Ice". Looking back there's little difficulty in concluding that BMG attempted to stretch the brand too far, and in doing so confused and alienated its audience.

Winter Solstice On Ice is a rare album that features no contributions from Will Ackerman.

The opening track, Magic Forest written by Keane, features many new and old Windham Hill Artists. Michael Manring's signature bass rings throughout the track. Also included is a video scene from the television show, and Samite's Stars To Share (from Disc 2)--both the recording as well as the TV segment.