Ethno-classical project Adiemus was spearheaded by composer/conductor Karl Jenkins, a longtime member of prog-rock innovators the Soft Machine. The concept originated as a piece Jenkins penned for Delta Airlines television commercial, its fusion of ethnic vocals and orchestral backing proving so popular with consumers that a  full-length Adiemus album, 1995’s Songs of Sanctuary, was created with the aid of vocalist Miriam Stockley and the  London Philharmonic Orchestra. The record was a hit on both popular and classical charts, and was followed in 1997 by Adiemus II – Cantata Mundi; Adiemus III: Dances of Time appeared a year later.