"August has always
been a cut or two above most native flute players... He
layers guitars, keyboards and all kinds of percussion into
his compositions, moving from world fusion to airy
ambiences."
-John Diliberto, Echoes Radio
"It alarms me that an
artist of Scott August's caliber managed to release five
recordings (his sixth is coming very soon) and I have only
now heard his music. Guess I'm not such an icon in the
industry after all, am I? I named this to my best of 2007
list, but it's even better than that. I'd place it in my top
ten for Native-influenced fusion music, period. Yeah, high
praise, but after playing this album at least ten times
prior to writing this review, I'm sure it belongs there.
August
plays way too many specific instruments to recount here, but
among them are flutes (primarily the Anasazi flute which
this recording seems to pay tribute to), piano, percussion,
guitars, ethnic instruments such as the kalimba gamelan, and
"textures" which I take to mean the application of
synthesizers in assorted permutations. In this last aspect,
August should give lessons to others as his dexterous superb
blending of synths adds just the right amount to any song on
which it's featured. Never too over the top yet also not so
subtle as to make the listener question whether anything has
been added at all. He's also an amazing percussionist across
the full spectrum of the drums and other instruments which
he uses on the CD.
Variety
is the catch word here, as Lost Canyons contains everything
from the plaintive beauty of the opening "Morning Star"
(Anasazi flute, alabaster chimes and textures, the latter
two coming into play later in the song) to the lively "Raven
Dance" which intermixes percussion from just about every
continent with guitar, piano and Tiger Maple flute. And
those are just the first two songs on the album!
Not
often is a Native flute player so adept at other instruments
that he/she can even craft great music without using his/her
principle instrument, but August does that on that
ambient-esque "Desert Skies" (atmospheric guitar, gamelan,
kalimba, Thunder drum and textures). "Where Spirits Dwell"
marries tribal beats with Balinese gamelan and the
cross-culture fusion is a celebration of the way music
bridges disparate cultures. "Swallows & Nighthawks" is
the only solo flute song on the CD (although three others
feature Anasazi flute with synth textures the only
accompaniment), another distinguishing aspect of Lost
Canyons from many other releases in this sub-genre (Native
flute and Native-influenced fusion).
I
could go on describing the other eight selections in detail
but my word limit means I have to keep it short. So, I'll
just hit on a few more highlights, such as the
eight-and-a-half minute title track (meant to convey the
viewing of long lost desert native people's dwellings,
perhaps along the lines of Arizona's Montezuma's Castle,
which I had the pleasure of viewing several months ago). The
song showcases August's prodigious talent at balancing all
his instruments (in this case, Anasazi flute, kalimba, udu,
tabla, guitars, piano, rainstick) fusing them into not just
a cohesive musical statement but a unique artistic
expression in a subgenre where it's not always easy to stand
out. Showing that he can dial up the energy and infuse some
more modern touches into his fusion music, "Chasing the Sun"
bounces along with kinetic energy, propelled by no less than
seven different types of drum/percussion instruments and
ambient-like electric guitar flourishes. The two closing
tracks, "Twilight Canyon" and "Evening Star" are great
conclusions to the album, the former featuring Curly Redwood
Bass flute, piano, guitar, textures and "incidental
crickets" and the latter only the soothing sounds of Anasazi
flute and subtle synthesizer brushings, conveying the fading
of daylight in the desert as stars pop out in an
orange-then-violet and finally pitch black night sky. It's a
perfect ending to the rare perfect recording. No criticisms
from me whatsoever on this one. I only wish I had heard of
Scott August sooner. Fantastic album - buy it!"
Rating:
Excellent
-Bill Binkelman,
New Age Reporter
"...engaging,
rhythmic, and often mystical moments that captivate and
mesmerize the listener. August has a smooth, clean, and
polished style using Native American flutes and world
instruments to produce a unique and soothing sound.
-Voice of the Wind:
Journal of The International Native American Flute
Association
"Fans of earthy
Native American flute music alá R. Carlos Nakai or
Douglas Spotted Eagle have a new name to add to that list of
performers: Scott August."
-Music Design, In Review
"Distant Spirits
provides an excellent accompaniment for meditation or yoga,
and it is transporting music for simple relaxation and quiet
listening. Fans of the Southwest sound should get a kick out
of this gorgeous album."
-New Age Retailer Magazine.
Scott August's
unique soundscapes of soaring Native American flutes, soft
guitars, quiet pianos and soothing drums will take you on a
mystical journey.
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