In a year of economic hardship and financial struggles, we were blessed with an abundance of inspiring instrumental music that was one of the best in many years. While the music industry continues to scratch its head with how to deal with declining sales, the artists of the instrumental genre continue to create music of integrity and inspiration without the many benefits that mainstream artists have available to them. And for that I salute you and personally thank you for keeping me in the eye of the economic storms where there is still peace and tranquility.

The top 20 are listed below, ranked. Honorable mention to Ola Gjeilo’s 2007 release Stone Rose.