With yesterday's sudden, shocking passing of Prince, the world mourns one of its musical icons. Artists like him, so it is said, come along, at best, once in a generation. I beg to differ.I have been a fan/follower of Yo Yo Ma for as far back as I can remember.I don't recall how I became aware of him. It may have been on Sesame Street, which I watched consistently through both of my children's childhoods. Since the younger of them is now about to turn 32 while her older brother just turned 38, that means it was a long time ago. Maybe it was the album he made with Bobbie McFerrin, which was so luscious and playful, something one would hardly expect from the man whom many consider the world's greatest living cellist. He was a classically trained, disciplined member of the world's elite classical musicians. Maybe things opened up in me when I heard him say during an interview that the first word the conductor says to address the orchestra is, "play".Regardless, I present you another of the world's musical icons – Yo Yo Ma. What a surprising pleasure to temper the loss of Prince. Among his many other adventures outside the world of classical music, Yo Yo Ma has put together The Silk Road Ensemble, a group of world musicians joining to play a vast array of instruments in unexpectedly creative ways. I've lost count of how many Silk Road Ensemble releases have preceded this one. They are all good, all inspiring and unique.But this one, "Sing Me Home", stands out as the best yet. In addition to all the adjectives I have used above, this effort, above all is characterized by one word: JOY! These musicians, led by Yo Yo Ma, have assembled such an array of instruments and voice, arrangements and production values that I find Joy is the only word that characterizes the album throughout. Some of the selections may seem sad, others spirited and happy, some, without question verge upon the Sacred, but at heart, at bottom, the Spirit of the release is JOY. I cannot recommend it highly enough. This music takes the listener beyond words, into a world unto itself. Only one of our living Icons could do that. Prayers and gratitude go out in appreciation of the gifts that Prince brought us. Looking at all the diverse projects and accomplishments of Yo Yo Ma, one gets the feeling that this Icon is only just getting started.