Catherine Duc's first commercially released album Visions and Dreams is a mix of ambient, Celtic, electronica and World music. Even on paper, without having heard the music, this suggests the influences of Enigma, Deep Forest, and Enya to name the most obvious. That's not to say this is a derivative work, it's clearly an album by someone who knows where they're coming from in terms of influences, and who knows how to make use of it in their own style. This is a very accessible album that has a commercial feel, which should give it an appeal to a wide audience. All of the ten instrumental songs come in at under five minutes long. The quality of the compositions is pretty consistent, there are not what I consider to be any tracks that stand out as far better than others. By the same token there aren't any bad pieces either. The opener "Essence of Dreams" has a whiff of Enigma about it. It's a pacey track combining electronic rhythms, stretched out flutey sounds, wordless vocals (both male and female), and semi-dramatic melodies. If I had to pick a favourite track then this would be it. Another one that draws my attention more than most is the busy piece "Incense", it's suggestive of Middle Eastern bazaars as we hear gently thumping beats coupled with plinky melodies and Arabic style pipe sounds. This track wouldn't sound out of place on a Lonely Planet album. Some of the tracks are particularly evocative, typically the Celtic or World ones. In "Dancing in the Mist" we hear melodies played on electric violin, something like a harpsichord, and a harp (or samples of said instruments) to name a few. The jaunty rhythms and melodies bring to mind someone happily dancing in an overcast Irish landscape. Later on we're taken to the gorgeous warm Mediterranean landscape in "Heart of Andalucia" where lively acoustic guitar combines with electronic rhythms and pads. Then in the penultimate track "Rivulet" we find our mental selves in the Far East as restrained beats and percussion work with oriental style refrains and voices. Although Visions and Dreams isn't as polished as music by those artists who have been an influence, it is nonetheless a pleasing addition to neo-Celtic electronic pop music.