Masanori Takahashi, better known as Kitaro, came out of progressive rock; his early-'70s group Far East Family Band were a Japanese answer to Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream. Inspired by the latter band he soon turned to synthesizer-based music, creating scores for films and TV. His individual style would combine the meditative sound of traditional Asian music with futuristic synth sonics. Signed to Geffen in the U.S., he collaborated with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart on 1987's In the Light of the Spirit, and has since remained at the forefront of new age.