Have you tried bluebird? It solved all my issues with async workflow in NodeJS, crazy-fast performance coupled with a very nice lodash-like API that makes working with data a breeze.
i'm using it and it's nice as you said. i'm not a node expert yet, this is my first large project. i'm sure i'll get more fluent as i go along but this programming style was an unanticipated twist in the road.
