Search - R. Carlos Nakai :: In Beauty, We Return

A well-organized retrospective of a Native American flute ma

Brianna Neal | USA | 10/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Credited by many as being responsible for the current Renaissance of interest in Native American music, this traditional flutist released his first album, "Changes," in 1983 and has gone on to record scores of albums both traditional and contemporary. Ever pushing the boundaries of genre and imagination, Nakai has sometimes played solo and at other times collaborated other artists ranging from guitarists and pianists to Japanese folk bands and symphony orchestras. This compilation album is helpfully arranged into four sections, each containing three or four songs from a total of thirteen different albums. The sectional groupings are: "Solo" (traditional Native American-style pieces), "Quiet Collaborations" (meditative New Age style), "Rhythmic Collaborations" (light jazz) and "With Orchestra" (self-explanatory). My favorite tracks are #12, the cinematically orchestrated "Whippoorwill," and #10, "My Wild Heart Sings," which fuses Tibetan elements with some intensely cool jazz and, of course, Nakai's improvs on his distinctive wooden flute. All the selections are impeccably performed and interesting, but most have a reserved, laid back quality that, while relaxing, doesn't always grab and hold one's attention. Although that might be customary and appropriate for the meditative traditional pieces, I would have liked to hear some more stirring or upbeat mixtures in the fusion tracks. But with the clear direction given by the album's structure, you can pick your favorite style and seek out the source CDs for more thereof. For more Native American flute playing, try also the work of Alice Gomez, Mary Youngblood, Robert Mirabal, and the variety of flutists featured on the "Native Flute Collection" from Talking Taco Records. And for some flute-filled music celebrating the grandeur of the American Southwest, you might also enjoy the releases of Ah-Nee-Mah, and of Nicholas Gunn.

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Music that soothes the soul

J. H. Voss III | 01/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've enjoy Nakai and his beautiful flute music for years, this album is another fine example of his gift of music reaching and touching your soul. I especially was deeply moved by his playing of amazing grace, it gave me such a feeling of peace and harmoney.

Listen to the tracks and feel the presence of The Great Spirit in his music and they way it soothes your soul!"

AMAZING!!!

Tonya Dahl | Calgary, AB Canada | 04/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutely LOVE this cd. I have almost all of Nakai's music and this is by far my favorite. I love Crow Canyon. It is so funky and upbeat. My driving has improved dramatically with this calming and beautiful music. You can't go wrong with any of his cds."