Search - Kim Robertson :: Wild Iris

Something different!

Brianna Neal | USA | 01/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prolific, talented and tireless, Kim Robertson has never been afraid to try new things, evolving over the decades from a traditional Celtic harpist to a seasoned New Age artist, adding numerous guests and her own voice to her mix, and even branching off to accompany the Sanskrit healing chants of Singh Kaur in the "Crimson Collection". Here in "Wild Iris" she teams up with distinctive jazz flutist Steve Kujala, known for his "fretless" freestyle flute playing. Five of the selections on this album are fairly standard stylings for solo harp, while the other ten are innovative flute and harp duets. Kujala has a unique, agressive style of sliding into, through and out of his notes, somewhat like a cross between an irish whistle, a sharp-tongued shakuhachi and a wailing soprano sax. His brash, clear, unapologetic technique commands attention and in the faster numbers results in some really cool, jazzy jams. However, it can also be distracting and does not always seem to fit with Robertson's graceful, delicate accompaniments, especially in slow or traditionally-inspired pieces. Original compositions--like the energetic "Firefly", the frolicsome "Leap Year" or the dreamy "Katsupari"--work best, allowing both musicians to play to their strengths while blending their styles in a satisfying manner. Gabriel Faure's classic "Pavane" and some of the traditional Celtic tunes, however, sound weirdly distorted and would have been better left alone without all the quavers and flutter-tonguing. This album is worth getting just to listen for yourself and decide what you think of the combination. Compare and contrast "Quiet Heart, Spirit Wind" by flutist Richard Warner, or the joint work of harpist Lisa Lynne and George Tortorelli, another flutist who does his fair share of sliding out of notes."