World Music

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I can't imagine better music to meditate to than this. The serenity of this music will bring you to the still point like none other. Riley Lee's seven-year studies with Japanese masters sound a bit like a Kung Fu episode: “practicing barefoot in the snow, blowing into his flute under waterfalls and in blizzards until icicles form at its end, and running the Boston Marathon and then playing at the finish line”! Is it any wonder his music holds listeners spellbound now?

In Music From A Painted Cave, the multi-talented Robert Mirabal presents the story of a man “from birth's breath through the metamorphosis of time.” Recently featured on public television, this extravagant musical is now offered as a CD. Combining Native culture and rock and roll, Robert Mirabal has been recognized as the Songwriter of the Year at the 2000 Native American Music Awards. His powerful music is behind the stage show by the same name, which also features his band, Rare Tribal Mob, and world champion Native American dancers performing both traditional and contemporary variations. Music From A Painted Cave has so much to offer listeners: Mirabal's singing voice; his flute virtuosity (Brian Hendrickson of WFHB calls him “quite simply the best interpretive flute player around today”); driving percussion; rock guitars; sizzling sound effects, and Native chanting. Mirabal's music honors the land and the ancestors in a new and exciting way all his own.

Coming up in April at Variety Playhouse (1099 Euclid Avenue, Atlanta), you can catch the reggae vocal group, Culture, who have been “hailed as prophetic visionaries since their inception in the mid-70s.” Their gig is April 5, at 8:30 p.m. For tickets and info, call Variety Playhouse at 404.524.7354. And on April 16, at 8:00 p.m., you can catch acclaimed singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitarist Ani DeFranco, with special guest Erin McKeown, at the Classic Center Grand Hall, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens, GA. For ticket prices and further information, call the Variety box office listed above, or any TicketMaster location including Tower Records, Publix, Backstage Music, HMV and Braves Clubhouse. To charge by phone, call 404.249.6400.

Kathryn Sargent is the editor and music reviewer of Aquarius.