Pondering the Past
Spiritual music comes to us in different forms and from different circumstances. Such musical expressions are considered to be sacred accounts and can be found in nearly all known religious traditions. Nature is life. We each have a direct relationship with nature, and the goals for creating songs of gratitude are simply to communicate a thank you to nature and this world for providing us with what we need to live. Each of us has a relationship with nature, the sunshine that warms us, the plants that feed us, and nature provides the landscape we live in. Some say that there is a Great Spirit who is the source of all things. Responding to that relationship is a very personal expression, and there are lots of ways to harmonize and make good things happen. This unusual album connects more than one spiritual tradition from more than one time on earth into one inclusive expression.
Deborah Martin & Erik Wøllo on Spotted Peccary Music Presents KINISHBA, Releasing February 16th, 2024
The Kinishba pueblo ruins is composed of nine major building mounds, made up of the remains of masonry bricks, some of these walls were originally three stories tall. There were two large apartment blocks, and several smaller buildings, with two communal courtyards. At its peak Kinishba may have housed up to 1,000 to 1,500 people. The rooms averaged 14 by 12 feet, with a firepit in the center. Kinishba and her sister villages were abandoned by the Mogollon people in the late 14th or early 15th century for unknown reasons. The location is in Fort Apache Park on the land of what is now known as Arizona.
This is their second collaboration, the first album that Deborah Martin & Erik Wøllo created together came out in 2009 and is titled Between Worlds. What I hear on this new record album Kinishba are electronics with natural sounds and Apache spirits, a very sacred way of honoring the memories of the past and the possibilities for the present, with electric guitar, all manner of percussion, vocals, flutes, synthesizers and programming by Deborah Martin & Erik Wøllo, here incorporating previously made recordings of Edgar Perry, Alfredo Way, Leno Edwards, Prince George, and Red Eagle. The Apache Gaan (Crown) Dancer songs were performed by Alfredo Way, Leno Edwards, and Edgar Perry. The Apache drums were performed by Alfredo Way and Leno Edwards. The mouth bow was performed by Red Eagle. The Navajo cedar flute was performed by Prince George.
Location gives an important extra meaning to the sounds, and field recordings were made to make the moment more alive with the actual presence captured at that time of day and season, at the Red Eagle abode in Wellton, Arizona, Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park in Globe Arizona, the Sunrise Lodge of the Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center, as well as at the actual Kinishba ruins, and Fort Apache and Apache Cultural Center Wilderness Trails on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Apacheria.
“The excitement and wonder of working together on Between Worlds is as strong today as it was a few years ago,” reflects Martin. “Kinishba became for us a pathway of continuing to honor the Apache and American Indian culture. These profound insights and deep experiences will always be a part of us, melding into these enduring legacies.” Wøllo continues, adding this part to the recollection, “A few years have passed since we worked on Between Worlds. I think we both felt that these ideas needed to be continued, there was more to explore. Kinishba emerged into something very unique and authentic. Everything went smoothly, all the music came to us easily in a very natural flow with no struggle. These years have made us able to delve even deeper into the experience, capturing the feeling of the American Indian heritage.”
Deborah Martin & Erik Wøllo gratefully acknowledge and respectfully honor Edgar Perry, Alfredo Way, Leno Edwards, Prince George, and Red Eagle for their valuable contributions and participation that now provide us all with inspiration and insights in experiencing this project.
NOW I SHALL WEEP NO MORE
FOR THE RAIN HAS ITS PURPOSE
AND ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE ME
REMAIN IN THOSE DROPS OF MOISTURE
TO FILL THE LAND WITH PROMISE
WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN TWO WORLDS
ONE WE KNOW AS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
A TIMED CONSTRAINT BASED ON PHYSICAL EXISTENCE
THE OTHER IS THE UNKNOWN
LIKE SHADOWS FLOATING AROUND US
BECKONING AT WILL WITH MYSTERIOUS INTENT
WE ENDURE ITS PRESENCE
BECAUSE IT IS PART OF US
NO MATTER HOW WE TRY TO ESCAPE
— Deborah Martin
Let us go back with the ghost to her resting place, back with the grandfathers and the beat. The feeling is deeply original and pays homage to the past. The beat is universal, the spirit herself sings of her situation blending the voice and pulse of a grandfather who now visits by way of a recording. This picks up the feeling, introducing different tempos and voices. Apache drums are brought to us through time and are heard here by Alfredo Way and Leno Edwards, with Edgar Perry; Deborah chants and plays rainstick, Taos drum, and Mayan medicine belt; Erik delivers the sheltering synthesizers and programming. The insect sounds were recorded at Fort Apache Cemetery. “Burial Ground” (5:42) is a sparse instrumental accompaniment for the vocals, as we consider this place where the dead are at rest for the remainder of all time. Symbolic of honoring the ways and all of the sacred nature of the place where those who have passed before us lay, their spirit at rest while somehow yet ever present. As an honoring song, the eagle is present with an offering of the feather and the meanings. The ambience sounds were recorded at the Epona Center in Apache Springs, Arizona.
Now the voice from another time brings the pulse of life energy and meaning, our guide and several singers call out the story, voices and beats from long ago, plus the instrumental drones that wash over all, “Creation Story” (5:18). This is a holy song as described to us by Edgar Perry as a blessing of a sacred space, a place such as the home and those who live in it, and for the land, which is also a holy ground. Alfredo Way, Leno Edwards and Edgar Perry provided the Apache Gaan (Crown) Dancer song vocals; Deborah: vocals, Taos drums, turtle rattle, Roland V-synth; Erik: synthesizers, programming.
“Kinishba” (5:50), is the album’s title track, and is sung with its special beat, bringing a gentle wind and the presence of birds in a brushy area. Now I even think I hear I hear toads from a rare desert area marsh, as more life emerges from the wetlands enlivened by some amazing hand percussion as the song deepens yet more. Deborah: vocals, Taos drums, cricket sounds, Roland V-synth; Erik: synthesizers, steel tongue drum, programming. The birds and ambience sounds were recorded at the Kinishba site.
Kinishba is the name for some remains of a Mogollon Pueblo village constructed sometime between 1200–1400 A.D. The pueblo site elevation is at about 5,000 feet, located on White Mountain Apache Tribal lands. Demonstrating a combination of Mogollon and Ancestral Puebloan cultural traits, some archaeologists consider it part of the historical lineage of the Hopi and Zuni people. The inspiration for this project comes from this special place — for many listeners it becomes symbolic of being “in the house of the ancestors” on a sacred land.
With a low beat and night sounds from the world outdoors, appearing as some ceremonial and innovative vocalisms, I hear a story in a language I do not know. The voice is meaningful and expressive, as well as powerfully confident. Perhaps we are reminded of a simpler time, I think of a harvest, or simply gathering herbs and plants for use in ceremonies or for healing. This story speaks to us sincerely of the importance of nature and having knowledge of animals, emphasizing how important it is to respect all living things and maintain the balance, “Voices of Nature” (3:50). The Apache narration is by Edgar Perry as well as his snake, coyote, crow, and owl sounds, with Deborah providing bird and bear sounds, her own spoken vocals, as well as ocarina, wood cricket, woodblock, and Taos drums. Erik resonates in on synthesizers and programming. The bees were recorded at the Kinishba site. Continuing with the next track, the meadowlarks and river sounds were recorded at Fort Apache, “Fort Apache Meadowlarks” (5:33) where the beat is the heart, and here the song has a healing presence with lots of shakers and other hand percussion instruments. Here the guitar soars and the heart cries, invoking the nature of primitive ritual.
On track 6, Prince George performs on the Navajo Cedar flute, Deborah: warrior voices, rainstick, Pueblo shakers loops, Roland V-synth; and Erik: synthesizers, percussion, and programming. The insect sounds were recorded at Fort Apache Cemetery. Here pulsing with strength and more vocalisms, the “Heart of the Warrior” (4:53) speaks of energy for the battles ahead, the symbolic battles of spirit as well as the physical testing of body and mind with the intense focused energy of the warrior, whether on the hunt or protecting their village.
Make way for a quiet clearing opening up, “Prayer Song” (4:40) with memories of so many voices from the past revealing a haunting truth. The beat is essential and comes from the historic recordings of these voices. The remaining stones of the old village provide the setting for the silent echoes from moments long past. Edgar once explained that this song was an important part of sweat lodge ritual for the men; depending on how the song was sung, it would have different meanings; preparing for battle, entering manhood, or a healing ceremony. The song is for commitment and to strengthen resolve. With the Apache Gaan (Crown) Dancer song vocals and drumming; Deborah: wood flute, clay ocarina, wood sticks, Navajo shakers, tambourine, Taos drum, and Roland V-synth; Erik: synthesizers and programming.
Prince George explained there are many paths one can journey on in the course of life and if a path is chosen that may not be the one you are meant to be on, you will still end up on the path you are meant to be on; running with the deer might take you there. Prince George is heard playing the Navajo Cedar flute; Red Eagle plays the mouth bow; and Deborah: vocals, rainstick, garden weasel, metal shaker loop, Roland V-synth; Erik: percussion and programming. Now the sacred flute leads the way up, the singer joins creating an entrancing repetition with shakers and twangers. Journey on “Natures Paths” (5:13), where we are walking on the earth, while our guide shows the direction.
We shall sing with our grandfathers forever, we will be singing about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Hear an energetic symbol, it represents energy; a special curve in mathematics representative of the ever-expanding universe, the cosmic energy; represents the cycle of the seasons and cycles of life, growth and change; symbolizes the constantly rotating sky, the journey of the sun, the circular movements of the four seasons, the rotating of the earth. The Apache Gaan (Crown) Dancer song vocals and drumming; with Deborah: vocals, goatskin shakers, Apache deer rattle, Navajo shaker, Taos drum, and Roland V-synth; Erik: synthesizers and programming. Followed by “Mountain Spirit” (5:42), with Prince George: Navajo Cedar flute; Deborah: vocals, goatskin shakers, woodblocks, Taos drum loops, shakers loops; Erik: synthesizers, percussion, and programming. Now imagine one of the oldest pagan symbols in existence; a flow that connects all living beings; deeply mystical; symbolic representation of a spiritual journey to a place beyond the visible world.
We are invoking the great spirit, behold the “Life Spiral” (5:35) where the path goes on forever, evoking the traditions and honoring the earth, sky, sun, and the eternal sea.
Cover art by Elisabeth Østensvik, the CD’s accompanying 24 page color booklet and all of the album’s graphic design is by Daniel Pipitone.
TRACKS
1: BURIAL GROUND
2: CREATION STORY
3: KINISHBA
4: VOICES OF NATURE
5: FORT APACHE MEADOWLARKS
6: HEART OF THE WARRIOR
7: PRAYER SONG
8: NATURES PATHS
9: MOUNTAIN SPIRIT
10: LIFE SPIRAL
LINKS
Listening SmarkLink: https://orcd.co/kinishba
Spotted Peccary Album Page: https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/kinishba/
Bandcamp: https://ambientelectronic.bandcamp.com/album/kinishba
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spottedpeccary/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spottedpeccary
24/7/365 streaming channel SPMLive
