All of the releases of Sohichiro Suzuki's long running World Standard project are quite remarkable. This understated acoustic project series explores ethnic music from all over the world. But, I have a special affection for the "Explore America Series" that includes "Jump For Joy", "Country Gazette", and this most recent addition, "Alabaster", from 2005. The music gently takes the listener to another place in time, perhaps the early to mid 20th century. "Alabaster", with an insert of nostalgic faded color photos evokes post WW2 America as a place of hope, modest expectation and joy. Gently plucked banjo, ukulele, Irish harp, along with cello, violin, piano, all create a mood of mostly melancholy, sometimes sadness, but always full of quiet majesty and wonder. World Standard is not on everyone's radar which is really a shame. This is music to treasure for all time.