Initiation

by Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors, Gabrielle Roth

Overview

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 Gabrielle Roth. "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 Tim Boyce, 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 chants and clapping provoke urban tribal feelings. Holding the percussion lines throughout are Mirrors' mainstays Gordy Ryan and Robert Ansell. For more information about Roth's Wave cycle, read her book Maps to Ecstasy: The Teachings of an Urban Shaman from Nataraj Publishing. ~ Carol Wright

Product Details

Release Date:	05/09/1994
Label:	Raven
UPC:	0736998588328
Rank:	139244

Tracks

1. The Dancing Path: Flowing
2. The Dancing Path: Staccato
3. The Dancing Path: Chaos
4. The Dancing Path: Lyrical
5. The Dancing Path: Stillness
6. Body Jazz: Head/Shoulders/Elbows/Hands/Hips/Knees/Feet
7. Initiation

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors   Primary Artist
Gabrielle Roth   Primary Artist,Vocals,Musical Director
Robert Ansell   Tom-Tom,Taos Drum,Wood Block,Toms,Drums,Congas,Shaker,Cowbell
Kehinde O'Uhuru   Shekere
Delores Holmes   Vocals
David Rosenberg   Drums
Gordon Ryan   Guiro,Jimbae,Asheiko,Cowbell
Gene Heimlich   Harmonica
John Arrucci   Tabla,Hi Hat,Percussion,Vibraphone,Drums (Snare)
John Loose   Bells,Blocks,Cabasa,Taragat,Temple Blocks
Serpentine   Vocals
Michael D'Agostino   Synthesizer,Drums (Electric),Electronic Drums
Tal Bergman   Bongos,Dumbek,Percussion,Tambourine
Sergio Brandao   Bass
Delmar Brown   Synthesizer
Scott Ansell   Cowbell
Raphael   Synthesizer
Yossi Fine   Bass
Joyce Bowden   Vocals
John Cooksey   Drums

Technical Credits

Robert Ansell   Producer,Cover Photo,Photography
Gene Heimlich   Production Consultant
Greg Wittrock   Cover Design
Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors   Composer,Performer
Gabrielle Roth   Producer
Scott Ansell   Mixing,Engineer