Just when you think you've pigeonholed
Carlos Nakai
as the quintessential interpreter of traditional Native American flute music, he appears with an entirely different expression of his musical gifts.
Spirit Horses
may catch many of you off guard. As a collaborative exploration of contemporary music in the classical vein, it is unlike anything he has attempted before. Impressionistic and diffuse at first, it slowly begins to take shape, like physical forms emerging from gossamer veils of mist. The concerto was commissioned especially for
Nakai
and spotlights him in his most challenging setting to date. This recording has much to offer, from its multi-cultural rhythmic structures provided by master drummer
Mark Sunkett
, to the quirky avant-garde feel of
Michael Hester
's alto sax work. Composer/conductor
James De Mars
has created an unexpected and unusual blend of musical elements as a backdrop for
's flute. In fact, certain passages feel like they could have been written for
The Kronos Quartet
. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats