Reviews
Amy Flodin
"Steve and Michael, your new CD Ancient Elements is an fantastic collection of highly evocative, lyrical Native American inspired music. The tunes flow effortlessly from one to another, yet stand well on their own. I really enjoy your incorporation of sounds from nature. My particularly favorites are ‘Ancient Elements’, ‘Unbroken Spirit’ and ‘Old Chef’s Pipe’. The culmination of the driving beat of Michael’s guitar work and Steve’s soulful flute in the reverberation of thunder at the end of Ancient Elements is deeply moving and touches my soul. Thank you. Your talents are a gift to us all."
"With ‘Among the Ancients — Warrior Dreams’, Rushingwind and Mucklow have built upon the terrific collaboration of their earlier CD, ‘Ancient Elements’. Their music flows seamlessly in a deeply complex, rich, evocative tapestry of sound…2 voices as one, taken to a whole new level! Beautiful!"
Gary Flanagan – Nightwaves
“This album begins with a combination of moody native sounds that sets a very intense tone, then in comes a beautiful piano melody, followed by the sweet sounds of a high spirit flute. The music is very pleasant and soothing, and extremely musically pure. It also features great, heartfelt guitar work and overall has a very warm and peaceful quality. There are also some cool synth sounds in the background and the recording quality is very clean. Songs like “Unbroken Spirit” are mysterious and evocative. This is excellent music for meditation or journeys into the soul. A few of the songs start to sound the same after a while, but this is a small complaint. This is an excellent CD.”
Emily Drabanski – New Mexico Magazine Online
Steve Rushingwind and Michael Mucklow have joined forces to create a wonderful CD of quiet, meditative instrumental music inspired by Native American traditions. This is just the CD to grab when you’ve had a hectic day and would like to wind down.
Mucklow was contacted by Rushingwind more than a year ago, after Rushingwind heard one of Mucklow’s solo guitar recordings. “He said he loved my music and contacted me by e-mail,” Mucklow says. “He asked if we could record together and I was thrilled.”
Mucklow, who lives in Tijeras, says he spent about a half year composing the guitar parts and then downloaded them to his website. Rushingwind, who lives in California, then listened intently to determine how his flute playing and percussion could fit in. When they finally got into Mucklow’s home studio, Mucklow says everything just fell into place.
“But one of the most exciting compositions is the title song, “Ancient Elements,” that all just came together from scratch in about one and a half hours in the studio.” The longer, almost eight-minute composition is just as complex as the more pre-determined segments.
Throughout the CD, Rushingwind, who is a decendant of the Cahuilla Tribe (in California), not only adds his poignant flute playing, but also sings some refrains in a Native American style.
Mucklow says that both bring a lot of emotion to the pieces, but that he and Rushingwind’s personal internal interpretations may vary. Mucklow draws on a sorrowful, reflective emotion for his song “Surrender of Dreams.” “For me, it makes me think of the abandoned homes and farm houses that are sad reminders of people’s lost hopes and dreams. Maybe their place collapsed because of economic conditions or because they couldn’t keep up with corporate farms. But that’s what I thought about as I composed the guitar parts.” In contrast, he says Rushingwind reflects on some of the tragedies that Native Americans endured through the ages.
Mucklow says he writes his pieces in a way that invites people to reflect on their own personal lives. “I hope it helps heal both bodies and spirits.”
Rushingwind’s interpretations on a traditional Native American–style flute reflect the strength and determination of the Native American spirit. Mucklow’s compositions on guitar drive the direction of the songs and have a precise, yet relaxed quality. Each also offers top-rate solo performances. “Awakened” showcases Mucklow’s guitar and piano talents. Rushingwind has contributed two stellar solo performances on “Old Chief’s Pipe” and “Sienna Rain,” a composition dedicated to his daughter, Sienna.
Other standouts on the CD include the dreamy, “Ceremony of Morning” and the mournful “The Sorrow of Loss.” The latter was written in memory of Mucklow’s father who died at age 43. “I was only 17 at the time and his death deeply affected me. This song is about that loss and the disappointment that he was never able to really hear my developed compositions.” Mucklow began playing guitar as a teen and has played for more than 30 years.
Mucklow and Rushingwind have plans to record again in the next year.
John Stillwell – Ancient Territories Flutes
“Steve, I listened to your new album again this morning. There is only one word that can describe my reaction – fantastic. In my capacity as a flute maker I have the opportunity to hear many new CDs. Yours has already become one of my favorites. You and Michael play together like you have one vision and one voice. You have created a collection of calm, meditative and inspiring Native American flute music that reflects the Great Spirit within us all. Play on brothers. Your heart felt songs help bring peace to a troubled world.”
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