R. Carlos Nakai is one of the world's leading virtuosos on the Native American (or cedar) flute. Unfettered by its technical limitations, he explores the expressive qualities of the instrument. William Eaton is one of the world's leading performers on and inventors of plucked string instruments. Together, Nakai and Eaton share a passion for connecting with spirituality and heritage through musical exploration. Ancestral Voices, their third collaboration, showcases their musical talents and th   [ read more ]

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CD $15.18

Big Medicine's liner notes describe R. Carlos Nakai Quartet's first album as "a new jazz expression haunted by the experience of native America." It's an excellent description. Whether you call it jazz fusion or new age, it undeniably strikes a new chord in the spectrum of Native American music. Drawing upon diverse influences, such as Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra, rich melodies and energetic performances are played upon a large assortment of both traditional and non-traditional {\Nati   [ read more ]

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Canyon Trilogy represents a return to the simplicity of Carlos Nakai's earlier albums such as Changes and Journeys. There are no additional instruments here, no rattles, and no chanting, just his haunting flutes, either solo or multi-tracked. The "trilogy" in the title refers to the three sections of the tape -- "Dawn's Mirage," "Dreamscapes," and "Resonance." ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide

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Nakai is joined by guitarist William Eaton in thirteen selections for Native American flute. The flute is accompanied by guitar, lyre, harp-guitar and synthesizer guitar, plus two selections for solo guitar. The panoramic harmonies of Eaton's guitars and haunting melodies of Nakai's flute conjure visions of the mesas, canyons and plains of the American West. ~ MusD, All Music Guide

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The beautiful and haunting sounds of the Native American flute are captured in this album of original compositions and arrangements of traditional tunes from the Zuni, Blood and Lakota tribes. Original compositions include "Whippoorwill" and "Solstice." Fourteen memorable compositions for solo flute. ~ MusD, All Music Guide

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Cycles features the surreal atmospheres of R. Carlos Nakai's ethereal Native American flutes accompanied by minimalist synth drones. This is a set of heavenly space music compositions with their bases firmly in the Northern plains and Southwestern deserts. Nakai's intricacies come from his simplicity and his simplicity comes from his intricacies. That is the overall charm and appeal of this CD. The very simple melodies enhance the listening experience and they boost its healing power. The power is    [ read more ]

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Desert Dance is R. Carlos Nakai's response to his own Sundance Season. That CD is in homage to an existing ritual. This CD is Nakai's personal "ritual about the ever changing beauty of the San Luis Valley and the rain-laden sweep of clouds over Crestone and Lindisfarne." This deeply spiritual statement is a complete improvisation that Nakai performed at the Lindisfarne Chapel in Colorado. His acoustic flute, guttural chants, and deep drums bring the soul to new heights. This blessed event wil   [ read more ]

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R. Carlos Nakai has been at the forefront of Native American artists since the mid- to late '80s (around the time of release of this CD). On Earth Spirit, his acoustic reveries are direct and true. Each of the 15 compositions comes from Nakai's heart and goes to listeners' hearts. Two of the compositions are for the "eagle's bone whistle," the others for the solo Native American flute. There are no extras or accompaniments. The only outside influences are for recording and amplification. This is an   [ read more ]

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Nakai continues his collaboration with musicians outside the Native American tradition with this release. Amo Chip Dabney is a versatile multi-instrumentalist who brings a gentle jazz sensibility to Nakai's rich flute playing. With various saxophones, bass, and synthesizers, Dabney adds just the right touches of muted colors to these introspective pieces. He has played with artists as diverse as Sun Ra & His Omniverse Arkestra, Queen Ida, and O.J. Ekemode & the Nigerian All-Stars. He   [ read more ]

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Emergence, Vol. 6 is another acoustic ambient CD from the sound worlds of R. Carlos Nakai. In the hands of this master, the Native American flute becomes a paintbrush, with the entire universe as a canvas. Nakai mixes traditional folk melodies with original compositions and improvisations to create his masterpiece. This is not a paint-by-numbers deal; this man is a true craftsman -- an artisan of the highest order. His aggressive style allows his atmospheres to transcend typical {\worldbea   [ read more ]

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Enter Tribal features a variety of artists performing 11 songs that synthesize tribal drumming, flutes, and singing with electronica beats and flourishes. Some of the featured performers include R. Carlos Nakai, Cliff Sarde, Jay Begaye, Robert Tree Cody, Delphine Tsinajinnie, William Horncloud, and Verdell Primeaux. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

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