Ancient Power

Album Review

Good roots produce good fruits. Flowing out of Edgar Perry's soul is the love for his people: the Eagle Clan of Whiteriver, Arizona. Perry's White Mountain Apache roots reach deep, and this music is the fruit of that devotion. Steve Gordon and Deborah Martin, each touched by Perry's life, come alongside his vision, and together they call forth the Ancient Power in song.

This is no cheap tourist trinket's tinkling clatter, as other new age tribal concept albums so often offer. The soul-cry of the Apache visits in these songs. Authentic native instruments and chants are fused with guitar, keys, tambourines, and such but not too overblown or out of the flow. "Spirit of the Mountain" and "Wind of the Spirits," a 10:36 track, are my picks for most Apache-ish feel. Synths melded with textural guitar verge on an Emerald Web/Peter Buffet sound. Refer to "Sundancer" and "Earth Dweller," respectively. Title cut "Ancient Power" evokes even Celtic moods in Gordon's native flute. "Moon Over Cloudless Sky" with Martin on synth and Gordon on ambient guitar was a great break from all the mesmerizing Taos drums and deer claw percussives. The stage was perfectly set for "Wind of the Spirits." You even hear cicadas calling from Indian ruins on this CD. If you like Native American music with that new age delivery, then Ancient Power is highly recommended. ~ John W. Patterson, Rovi