Initiation
is "a musical map, from inertia to ecstasy," the formal musical presentation of
Gabrielle Roth
's 5-Rhythm "Wave." Moving and dancing from flowing through
"stillness"
can catalyze and release the emotions of fear, anger, sadness, joy, and peace, according to "
urban
shaman" and music director
.
"Flowing"
's rhythm is carried by a seductive Middle Eastern beat, the crystalline magic of synthesizers, and the heady wailing of guitarist
Tim Boyce
"Staccato"
's angry four/four rhythm rocks to the trap drum work of
John Cooksey
and the funky deep bass of
Yossi Fine
"Chaos"
' six/eight beat tumbles headlong on African drums and heady oracular
chants
"Lyrical"
's easygoing pace features the sparkling guitar work of
, the airy
vocalese
of
Joyce Bowden
, and buoyant percussion. Synthesizer master
Raphael
offers the distilled ecstasy of
"Stillness,"
a breathless alloy of heaven and zen. The clearly-marked tracks offer the trance-dancer an excellent workout through the cycle. Additionally,
Roth
offers
"Body Jazz,"
an easygoing yet snappy cut to isolate movements of separate body parts, and the intensely driving
"Initiation,"
whose vocal
and clapping provoke
tribal feelings. Holding the percussion lines throughout are
Mirrors
' mainstays
Gordy Ryan
and
Robert Ansell
. For more information about
's Wave cycle, read her book
Maps to Ecstasy: The Teachings of an Urban Shaman
from
Nataraj Publishing
. ~ Carol Wright