Traditional & Inovative at Once
D.D. | Somerset, KY. USA | 08/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This a a remarkable recording! Valerie Dee Naranjo combines the beauty & simplicity of traditional chants with contemporary arrangements of classical subtlety. It is refreshing to hear a musician who is a percussion virtuoso compose & play with restraint & a constant understanding of the color & tone of her instruments. This mastery reflects her deep understanding of traditional tribal music of America & Africa. In addition to the amazing percussion work, Ms. Naranjo sings & chants with a distinctive & powerful voice. The combination of percussion & solo voice rarely works as well as it does here! Just two other qualities among many fine ones to note...I suspect that Ms. Naranjo has learned a thing or two from the insect world (!) & some of the arrangements feature beautiful flute work by Jorge' Alfano. I couldn't recommend this disc too much!"