The Best of David & Diane Arkenstone

This single-disc compilation is for fans of the new age spousal unit of David and Diane Arkenstone. It contains 16 tracks divided equally between the two, with a couple of collaborations thrown in for measure. While Mr. Arkenstone has been making recordings in the new age and healing arts genres since the '80s, Ms. Arkenstone broke out as a solo artist in the 21st century. They’ve sold millions of records between them. This set feels more like a sampler than a true “best-of,” but record labels have their own way of spinning things. Basically, this set offers evidence of one basic truth, that with the exception of Ms. Arkenstone’s voice, they have remarkably similar methods of making music. So much so it’s difficult to tell who’s who — you need to look inside the CD booklet to be able to tell who wrote or recorded what. Fans of the duo’s individual musics no doubt have everything here since there isn’t anything unreleased. That said, anyone who follows one artist more than the other will no doubt find comfort and delight in the material they aren’t familiar with.