The 52nd Grammy Awards are just 1 day away. So let’s just take a quick look at the new age music category. The field is very strong this year. Henta was the surprise of course – but what a pleasant surprise it was!

People ask me; who will win this year? It is impossible to tell, like always, there are so many factors in play. I love both Jim Brickman’s Faith and Henta’s Laserium For the Soul – but I don’t think any of them will make it to the top (but I must note that if Henta was to win, that would be SUPER COOL).

The new age music category 2009:

It will either be In a Dream, Prayer for Compassion or Impressions of the West Lake. All three are wonderful albums with a very classical approach to new age.

I think that, after listening to these albums for weeks, In a Dream and Impressions of the West Lake are on par – perhaps with Kitaro just a little bit better than Peter Kater and Dominic Miller (just because West Lake is a more grand sounding album, more orchestral music). So if I were to decide, David Darling will get his Grammy this year (after being nominated once before). But I wouldn’t put money on it, since the field is very strong this year. Kitaro just might win it too – he sure would deserve it after so many nominations.   

Watch it on CBS on 31 January 8PM ET/PT.