Two different anniversaries are the focus of this 2014 anthology by composer
Chip Davis' world-famous new age ensemble
Mannheim Steamroller. The 30 in the album's title refers to the three decades since the release of their wildly successful
Christmas collection, an album that would eventually go platinum six times over and inspire a bevy of sequels and tours, essentially turning the band into a veritable holiday industry. The 40 refers to
Davis' debut album,
Fresh Aire, which arrived a full decade before the
Christmas album. Blending symphonic sounds with synthesizers and rock instrumentation, the first groundbreaking
Fresh Aire album went gold and became the flagship name under which
Mannheim Steamroller would operate for the next 40 years. The
30/40 collection takes a look back, offering 15 remastered tracks from both the
Christmas and
Fresh Aire series of albums as well as a new rendition of "Greensleeves" sung by
Davis' daughter
Elyse. ~ Timothy Monger