Blending organic trance accents with fiercely ethnic rhythmic elements, this most exciting outing lives up to its name the Tibetan word for an old soul in a new body. As on its previous recording incarnation, Transcendence, Tulku have initiated acoustic alchemy with exotic yet somehow comfortingly familiar Middle Eastern and Indian rhythms, layering a wealth of global beat voices on top. This time the vocal styles are drawn from Persia, aboriginal Australia, North and South America, presenting a surprising universality when listened to in its entirety, as if these separate singers were but individual aspects of a seminal, primal Voice. Using indigenous samples and live performances from Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band, Axiom of Choice's Mamek Khadem, and peyote singers Primeaux and Mike, among others, producers Jim Wilson and Mitchell Markus have crafted a deeply spiritual and profound "Spiral Dance" that glorifies both the diversity and unity of the world's peoples. Yeah, you can dance to it, too!
The haunting simplicity and deep, emotional expressiveness of the Native American flute has never been better evoked than by Navajo-Ute player Nakai. On this, his first solo outing in six years, Nakai relishes the unadorned loveliness of traditional Zuni, Lakota, Kiowa and Cheyenne melodies as well as his own original compositions. Many songs stem from observation of and appreciation for nature, evidenced by the gracefully blown "Fox Song," sonorous "Eagles Gathering," and sprightly "Silver Salmon Bear." Others dwell on spirituality and possess a more contemplative quality, such as "Inner Voices" with its potent use of echo and reverberation to conjure a sense of timelessness and ancient heritage. Rarely if ever have the rich, resonant and subtle qualities of the Native flute been so successfully captured in a studio setting. This is one flute record produced so pure and perfect that you can actually play it at full volume. So feel free to close your eyes and melt into the magnificent music.
After a four year absence, Kitaro returns with a deep work inspired by Japan's Onbashira Matsuri festival celebrating the rebuilding of the Suwa Grand Shrine over 1,200 years ago. An exploration of respect for Mother Earth, the dramatic music marries atmospheric percussion created by pre-Columbian instruments, stinging electric guitar musings interspersed with gentler acoustic guitar rhythms, chants by Tadayasu Nishi and Jonathan Goldman, and Kitaro's own state-of-the-art electronic keyboard talent. Bold and dynamic, Kitaro's grand instrumentals reverence the unity of man and nature with such depth of passion and feeling that one can easily imagine the ritual of spiritual cleansing depicted as the foundation of the new shrine is laid. On "Misty," pastoral strings support a brief, contemplative flute interlude with meditation chimes marking time before a stately drum announces a segue into the title track, a driving and truly uplifting instrumental of unbounded proportions. Majestic, mysterious and utterly marvelous, Kitaro's newest recording is a feast for the senses and imagination.
If you desire to discover a brilliant acoustic guitar diva, look no further than Isbin, who has been called "a true sorceress...incomparable master" by no less an authority than the maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim. Luxuriously rhythmic, highly playful, her passionate playing style and dramatic pauses make for soul-stirring listening as she enthusiastically embraces the music of South America's most brilliant classical and dance composers. In solo pieces and teamed with legendary sax player Winter and celebrated percussionist de Mello, Isbin delivers breathless waltzes, lilting lullabies, baroque inspired ballads and sophisticated contemporary chants with such joy that one can actually imagine her smiling as her long, graceful fingers stroke the six-string lovingly. New dimensions of rhythm, color and nuance are exuberantly displayed throughout this exceptional repertoire, inspired by the sheer radiance of the Amazonian rain forest.
If you're looking for something refreshingly new and bright to help heighten the summer season, rejoice, for Te Vaka is here to bring island bliss to Chicago! Ceaselessly globe trotting, this ten piece performance ensemble is bringing the cheerful pleasures of Pacific Islander music to the world with colorful style and joie de vivre. An impeccable songwriter, Opetala Foa'i crafts wonderfully rootsy folk music sung in the Polynesian dialect of Tokelau with attractive swing rhythms performed on indigenous instrumentation including log drum and open-tuned guitar. The songs "Papa e" and "Tautai e" don't need English translations for one to savor the lovely male-female duets, powerful backing chorus, perky percussion, warm guitar rhythms and beautiful melodies. Also renowned for their percussive skills, the ensemble give a dazzling virtuosic display on "Pate mo tou vae," complete with breath-expelled chants and traditional cheering. Gipsy Kings and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, move over . . . with such an abundance of skills and musical appeal, Te Vaka are today's hottest new world music group!
Nigerian master drummer Olabayo joins African-born flutist Raye on this homage to the Goddess that resides inside each of us. Best known for her Native American-influenced flute meditations on four previous solo outings, Raye's creativity overflows here into new areas of inspiration as the duo celebrates the feminine aspect honored as divine mother and/or wise crone in ancient Greece, Western Africa, and the Americas. Extremely gentle hand drum rhythms intermingle with loon calls, burbling brook and other environmental sounds as Lakota-style flute textures soar effortlessly through crystalline blue sky. An enthusiastic and inspiring sonic shaman, Raye's melodies are always uplifting, pure and evocative. But now in partnership with Olabayo, Raye reaches new heights of artistic illumination and delivers a celebration of life-affirming joy.
Some people believe that psychotropic agents found in naturally growing plants such as peyote, mushrooms, ayahuasca and marijuana are God's accelerator pad for human evolution. Without taking sides on the legalities involved, the intention of this music series "is to figure out the positive effects of natural drugs, without the bad side effects which may occur with real drugs." Ambitious certainly, yet the concept makes surprisingly good sense as the lengthy instrumental tracks attempt to recreate specific states of mind associated with hallucinogenic plants. Thus Magic Ganja is composed to be calming for stress-relief therapies, and Magic Mushroom is a vibrantly colorful and uplifting energizer of the imagination. Both awaken inner awareness utilizing keyboard sounds of harp, strings, woodwinds, percussion and ethereal textures, and both feature extended length tracks so one can truly melt into the music. Kinky, but safe fun!
Submissions for review consideration may be sent to: PJ Birosik, MUSIK INTERNATIONAL CORP., 154 Betasso Road, Boulder, CO 80302-9606. Since 1977, Birosik has been a music industry consultant specializing in marketing, promotion, publicity and A&R/foreign licensing; she is a member of NARAS, NARM, NAIRD, CMC, IMA, and a past Board of Director of Los Angeles Women In Music who has been profiled in 11 international editions of Who's Who. Calls may be placed to her at (303) 444-9575 between 9:30am -- 5pm MST regarding review criteria, consulting services for signed & unsigned musicians, and data list rentals.