Totem

by Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors, Gabrielle Roth

Overview

Totem, with its focus on trance-dance, broke new ground by bringing drumming out of the ethnic bins and into new age. "Zone VI" begins the album with a hypnotic balance of bass toms played by Robert Ansell, the fancy drumwork by Gordy Ryan, clicks of woodblocks, and a synthesizer drone. The title cut is a serpentine experience which breathes through its undulating bass beats; layers of Middle Eastern rhythms give the dancer many intoxicating paths for movement. Throughout, the rhythms speak -- stately and zenlike to tumbling and swirling -- enticing movement The album ends with the melodically hip "Eliana" and (lest you forget you can dance with a partner) the cha-cha flavored "La Cancion de Manuel," both propelled by the funky bass of Alex Blake. ~ Carol Wright

Product Details

Release Date:	05/09/1994
Label:	RAVEN
UPC:	0736998586225

Tracks

1. Zone VI
2. Totem
3. Red Wind
4. Eternal Dance
5. Ritual
6. Eliana
7. Canci¿¿n de Manuel

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors   Primary Artist
Gabrielle Roth   Primary Artist,Rhythm
Robert Ansell   Shaker,Tom-Tom,Triangle,Taos Drum,Finger Drum,Tone Blocks,Concert Toms,Finger Piano,Congas
Sammy Figueroa   Congas
Manuel Martinez   Bells,Cowbell,Wood Block
Kevin Ansell   Guitar (Electric)
Gordon Ryan   Djembe,Asheiko,Djun-Djun,Log Drums
Jose Martinez   Toms,Hi Hat,Cymbals,Wood Block,Drums (Snare)
Michael Mandel   Synthesizer
Gene Heimlich   Harmonica,Bass Harmonica
T.C. James   Synthesizer
Martinez, Jose   Hi Hat,Cymbals,Wood Block,Drums (Snare)
Otto Richter   Cowbell,Wood Block
Serpentine   Vocals
Gordie Ryan   Jun-Jun,Log Drums
Paula Chan Bing   Flute,Flute (Wood)
Eric Silverman   Congas
Steve Scales   Concert Toms
Pedro Taboada   Guiro
Alex Blake   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Robert Ansell   Composer,Engineer,Cover Photo,Photography,Executive Producer,Mixing
Steve Casper   Engineer
Gene Heimlich   Producer
Greg Wittrock   Cover Design
Jamie Schlachter   Engineer
Otto Richter   Composer
Lothar Segler   Engineer
Marshall L'Herault   Engineer
Eric Silverman   Composer
Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors   Composer
Gabrielle Roth   Composer,Executive Producer
Scott Ansell   Mixing,Engineer
Jan Garbarek   Composer
David Stone   Engineer