Embracing the role of fellow spiritual seeker as well as composer, pianist Kevin Kern invites listeners to find a safe, comfortable place in their imaginations and tag along on what his CD packaging describes as a "self-guided healing visualization." For those favorably inclined toward such musical journeys of the soul, Kern proves to be a sincere and capable guide. His slowly unfolding piano works (periodically embellished with acoustic guitar, flute, strings and understated electronics) are soft, serene and, on occasion ("High above the Valley" and "Through the Veil" in particular), memorably attractive. The foil-stamped/die-cut/textured paper packaging for The Winding Path, Kern’s sixth career release, is first-rate; the story line it contains, centered on the discovery of a "cauldron of healing," is a matter of personal taste. As for the music, Kern’s compositions can intermittently seem a touch too sweet or simplistic, but the overall flavor is peaceful, relaxing and, considering the context, admirably refined. --Terry Wood