Nightnoise is one of a number of albums that came out of the Windham Hill label that afforded traditional musicians a way to make more pop-friendly music without sacrificing their reputations. These were picked up by what were called "new age" enthusiasts.

I don't remember who it was but I've a memory of a trad musician wryly commenting about someone else "eh, they've gon uo Windham Hill" but admitting that the income from that supported their ability to play more traditional music. To my ear, "new age" stuff was mushy and spaced out music - acoustic wallpaper with the traditional music foundation giving it enough substance to be attractive. Like many other ways that lure unsuspecting people into the trad fold, it serves a good purpose.

YMMV

Joanne in Cleveland (who cherishes 1 Windham Hill album)