The traditional flute music of Native Americans has been fused with rock, folk, hip-hop, African, and techno influences by Robert Mirabal. The result is a sound that the Village Voice described as "ancestral drumming and ritualistic chanting [that] create an intoxicating swirl as they intermingle with contemporary ideas and sounds."
A member of the Taos Pueblo tribe of New Mexico, Mirabal began making traditional Native American flutes at the age of 19. Borrowing money from his grandmother, he recorded a self-titled debut album in 1988. Four years later, he received a New York Dance and Performance Bessie award for the score, "Land," that he composed and performed for Japanese modern dancers Eiko and Koma. In 1996, Mirabal collaborated with Native American singer-songwriter Bill Miller on an album, Native Suite-Chants, Dances and the Remembered Earth. A collection of Mirabal's poetry, prose, and short stories was published as A Skeleton of a Bridge. His flutes have been displayed at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum.
IN THE BLOOD BY ROBERT MIRABAL
After a four-year hiatus, Robert Mirabal is back with the strongest album of his career. The twelve tracks on "In the Blood," blend scenes from the American experience-past, present & future-with themes from contemporary Native life, some sung in English & others in Mirabal's native tongue, Tiwa. Love songs merge with ghost songs that further roll into Americana ballads and full-on tribal rocker anthems. Produced by Nashville legend Andy Byrd, the record will please dyed-in-the-wool Mirabal fans as well as attracting a brand new following. "It's the strongest songwriting & performance that I've heard being put forth today from an indigenous point-of-view," says Byrd. "This album follows a narrative cycle of songs that reflects the quest for a brighter future."
1. Big Chief Escapes (0:42) MP3 clip
2. Medicine Man (5:29) MP3 clip
3. Indian Johnny (3:21)
4. Brave New World (4:16)
5. Holding Up the Sky (3:55)
6. Little Indians (3:58)
7. In the Blood (3:45)
8. Tsel-mo-ah-Butterfly Song (4:27)
9. Ee-You-oo (3:30)
10. Theo's Dream (5:09)
11. Things are Different Now (3:53)
12. Pottery Shard Man (3:59)
13. The Dance (5:57)
PLAYING TIME 52:43 CD PRICE $17.00
INDIANS INDIANS BY ROBERT MIRABAL
Robert Mirabal… you know his music, now get to know the man. INDIANS INDIANS is a surprisingly candid collection of songs, stories and humorous anecdotes about the performer's life. Set to the sounds of guitar and Native percussion, Mirabal gets personal with listeners, telling of his family and his experiences growing up among the Taos people. One particularly poignant story involves his family's dealings with an abusive alcoholic relative at Christmas time. Being a Mirabal album, you know there's gotta be some rockin' tunes and there's four complete songs to be exact, with "Dream of You" being a highlight. The album also features an "Enhanced CD" feature - an INDIANS INDIANS video mix.
1. Governor Bent's Song 2:18
2. Indians Indians 4:38
3. Dream Of You 5:08
4. Theo's Dream 4:55
5. Black Jack Daisy 5:52
6. Blue Lake 4:21
7. Ruler Of My Heart 3:40
8. Morrison 4:54
9. Days Before Christmas 6:57
10. Shine 3:38
11. Grandpa 5:45
Imagine a sprawling landscape of plateaus set against a golden sunset. The dirt roads are dotted with hoof indentations, for this is horse country; and majestic eagles soar into a vast horizon. This is a taste of the Johnny Whitehorse experience - a place of beauty, contemplation and harmony with the earth. An alias/character creation of Robert Mirabal, Whitehorse has a sound that is acoustic, with a nice balance between traditional and contemporary styles. Flute is the central element on many of the cuts, backed by the low rumble of drums, a little didgeridoo and some rattles and shakers. Synthesizer atmosphere is used to add mood and drama to the music and the whole album has a strong organic quality to it. JOHNNY WHITEHORSE is a must hear for anyone who likes Native American flute music and mostly traditional arrangements.
1. Whitehoerse Dreaming 6:09
2. Indian Pony 5:11
3. Spirit Rider 3:27
4. Iron Horse 6:00
5. Runners of the Snowy River 4:45
6. Riding Alone 4:34
7. Fear the Colt 6:14
8. Riders in the Rain 6:57
9. Last Ride of Cochise 7:33
10. Whitehorse Rides 6:17
This music was actually composed for two Japanese avant-garde dancers who were inspired by the beauty of the land around Taos, New Mexico. Clay flutes, percussion, rattles and Native American flutes were used throughout the album and Native-influenced vocals are heard on several cuts. These vocals are backed by drums and rattles or are sung acappella by Mirabal, Reynaldo Lujan and Matt Andes. Each song tells a different story about the land around Taos Mountain. The performance toured Europe and the U.S. and was given New York's Dance and Performance award, the "Bessie," in 1992.
1. Isidro's Song MP3 clip
2. Yuta's Song MP3 clip
3. Eikos Shaman
4. Moonlight Song
5. Eikos Shaman (Reprise)
6. Extinction
7. White Buffalo
8. Masa-Yume
PLAYING TIME 45:15
CD PRICE $17.00
MIRABAL BY ROBERT MIRABAL
A bold musical statement that finds the noted Native American composer melding ancient sounds with modern rock 'n roll songs that stretch from the Arizona desert all the way to cyberspace.
1. Hope MP3 clip
2. Dance
3. Medicine Man MP3 clip
4. Witch Hunt
5. Sundance Love
6. Tony & Allison
7. Little Indians
8. Dream
9. Kah Na
10. Cyberspace Warrior
PLAYING TIME 48:25
CD PRICE $17.00
MUSIC FROM A PAINTED CAVE DVD BY ROBERT MIRABAL
A spectacular Southwestern fantasia of traditional Pueblo dancing and singing, Japanese Butoh dancers, Hawaiian chants, Aboriginal instrumentation and much more, this DVD rendition of Robert Mirabal's PBS special MUSIC FROM A PAINTED CAVE is full of energy and grandeur. Mirabal's trademark sound, a blend of Native American instrumentation, electronic beats and rock influences, sounds stronger than ever presented in crystal clear Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. This DVD features 10 minutes of bonus footage (not shown on the TV special), as well as an additional 20-minute segment titled "Warrior's Weekend," which takes viewers backstage to meet Mirabal, the band, and see some behind the scenes footage on the production.
Songwriter of the Year" winner at the 2000 Native Music Awards, Robert Mirabal is easily one of the most cutting-edge performers in Native American music. His mixture of rock and Native instrumentation coupled with strong, introspective lyrics make every one of his endeavors fresh and exciting. MUSIC FROM A PAINTED CAVE is a live concert recording that comes from the PBS-TV special of the same name. Mirabal, along with his band Rare Tribal Mob, presents a collection of both new material and revisited hits. Listeners can enjoy a diverse set that includes powerhouse rock songs, soft instrumental pieces and Native American pop.
1. The Dance 5:57
2. Little Indians 5:57
3. Ee-You-Oo 4:34
4. Courtship Song 3:59
5. Medicine Man 5:41
6. Skinwalker's Moon 4:04
7. Shield Dance 4:28
8. Runner Dreamtime 2:45
9. Hope 3:00
10. Painted Caves 4:32
11. 1000 Miles 5:51
12. Drum Battle 4:35
13. Navajo Fires 4:00
14. An Kah Na 1:35
15. Sisters 3:50
16. Stiltwalker 3:09
For Johnny Whitehorse, music has always been the healer, & these are the sounds that have inspired him on his travels & studies around the world. He creates music to open the senses & arouse the soul through spirituality & connectedness to the earth. This third recording by esoteric flutist follows his GRAMMY award winning Totemic Flute Chants. It may well be his most powerful yet. 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Native American Music Album
1. Ceremony Begins 5:59 MP3 clip
2. Blood Medicine 5:27 MP3 clip
3. Saint Sara 6:13
4. Moving Chi 6:26
5. Ancestral Kundalini 5:13
6. Rituals of Winter 4:23
7. Hand Tremblers 5:09
8. Mimi Spirits 4:10
9. Heal the Bones 4:36
10. Riders of the Healing Road 5:13
PLAYING TIME 57:13 CD PRICE $17.00
SONG CARRIER BY ROBERT MIRABAL
SONG CARRIER is the story of a man and the music of his soul, his land, his people and his heritage. Hear the voices of Mother Earth and Father Sky in these authentic Native American recordings. Robert Mirabal plays the Native American flute, enhanced with subtle nature sounds, native percussion, rainstick and crow feathers. Every track on this album is deeply moving and spiritual. SONG CARRIER is meditative in nature, yet each song tells a unique and different story. Listen as Mirabal pulls in new sounds from the heavens and prepare to be captivated.
Powerfully evocative of the people and the land he loves, Robert Mirabal's new release TAOS TALES is a brilliant cross-over release bridging the gap between his previous ethereal flute releases and his recent rock-oriented titles. With his Native flute and the haunting, spirited words of his Tiwa language, Mirabal, along with his band on cello, guitar and percussion, uses ritualistic chanting, shakers and sampled sounds to reflect the soul of the ancient Taos Valley and the impact made on it and its inhabitants by the inroads of the modern world.
1. Painted Caves 5:48
2. Friends 4:05
3. Popay Runner 5:57
4. Hunting Party 3:02
5. Skinwalker's Moon 3:51
6. Onate 4:23
7. Bataan Death March 3:33
8. Ee-You-Oo 5:12
9. Flute Song 3:53
10. The Courtship of Starboy 2:49
11. Acid Rain Dance 2:38
12. Day of the Dead 3:53
13. Quiet Season 2:54
Johnny Whitehorse is Robert Mirabal's alter ego. In contrast with the contemporary, rock-infused music commonly found on Mirabal's core releases, his work under the Whitehorse pseudonym reflects his introspective side - the eternal wanderer and explorer, roaming the plains in search of higher knowledge and enlightenment. TOTEMIC FLUTE CHANTS is a haunting release that focuses on the melancholy serenity of the Native American flute, amidst guitar, light chant and rhythmic/percussive elements whose purpose is to provide emphasis and dramatic flair, rather than keep the pace. The theme of the album is totems or animal spirits that watch over, protect and help us connect with Mother Earth. It's a simplistic though very colorful work that does an excellent job of conjuring mental imagery associated with the vast plains of Middle America and the Southwest.
On WARRIOR MAGICIAN the magic of Robert Mirabal's solo Native American flute melodies intertwines beautifully with the delicate sounds of Ross Lewallen on didjeridoo and Mariam on keyboard and guitar. This award-winning flautist from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico offers listeners a stirring companion to his critically acclaimed release SONG CARRIER. Of WARRIOR MAGICIAN, Mirabal says, "I offer my work as a healing for the human spirit and a remembrance of why we are here together."
After a four-year hiatus, Robert Mirabal is back with the strongest album of his career. The twelve tracks on "In the Blood," blend scenes from the American experience-past, present & future-with themes from contemporary Native life, some sung in English & others in Mirabal's native tongue, Tiwa. Love songs merge with ghost songs that further roll into Americana ballads and full-on tribal rocker anthems. Produced by Nashville legend Andy Byrd, the record will please dyed-in-the-wool Mirabal fans as well as attracting a brand new following. "It's the strongest songwriting & performance that I've heard being put forth today from an indigenous point-of-view," says Byrd. "This album follows a narrative cycle of songs that reflects the quest for a brighter future."
Robert Mirabal… you know his music, now get to know the man. INDIANS INDIANS is a surprisingly candid collection of songs, stories and humorous anecdotes about the performer's life. Set to the sounds of guitar and Native percussion, Mirabal gets personal with listeners, telling of his family and his experiences growing up among the Taos people. One particularly poignant story involves his family's dealings with an abusive alcoholic relative at Christmas time. Being a Mirabal album, you know there's gotta be some rockin' tunes and there's four complete songs to be exact, with "Dream of You" being a highlight. The album also features an "Enhanced CD" feature - an INDIANS INDIANS video mix.
MP3 clip
Imagine a sprawling landscape of plateaus set against a golden sunset. The dirt roads are dotted with hoof indentations, for this is horse country; and majestic eagles soar into a vast horizon. This is a taste of the Johnny Whitehorse experience - a place of beauty, contemplation and harmony with the earth. An alias/character creation of Robert Mirabal, Whitehorse has a sound that is acoustic, with a nice balance between traditional and contemporary styles. Flute is the central element on many of the cuts, backed by the low rumble of drums, a little didgeridoo and some rattles and shakers. Synthesizer atmosphere is used to add mood and drama to the music and the whole album has a strong organic quality to it. JOHNNY WHITEHORSE is a must hear for anyone who likes Native American flute music and mostly traditional arrangements.
This music was actually composed for two Japanese avant-garde dancers who were inspired by the beauty of the land around Taos, New Mexico. Clay flutes, percussion, rattles and Native American flutes were used throughout the album and Native-influenced vocals are heard on several cuts. These vocals are backed by drums and rattles or are sung acappella by Mirabal, Reynaldo Lujan and Matt Andes. Each song tells a different story about the land around Taos Mountain. The performance toured Europe and the U.S. and was given New York's Dance and Performance award, the "Bessie," in 1992.
A bold musical statement that finds the noted Native American composer melding ancient sounds with modern rock 'n roll songs that stretch from the Arizona desert all the way to cyberspace.
A spectacular Southwestern fantasia of traditional Pueblo dancing and singing, Japanese Butoh dancers, Hawaiian chants, Aboriginal instrumentation and much more, this DVD rendition of Robert Mirabal's PBS special MUSIC FROM A PAINTED CAVE is full of energy and grandeur. Mirabal's trademark sound, a blend of Native American instrumentation, electronic beats and rock influences, sounds stronger than ever presented in crystal clear Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. This DVD features 10 minutes of bonus footage (not shown on the TV special), as well as an additional 20-minute segment titled "Warrior's Weekend," which takes viewers backstage to meet Mirabal, the band, and see some behind the scenes footage on the production.
Songwriter of the Year" winner at the 2000 Native Music Awards, Robert Mirabal is easily one of the most cutting-edge performers in Native American music. His mixture of rock and Native instrumentation coupled with strong, introspective lyrics make every one of his endeavors fresh and exciting. MUSIC FROM A PAINTED CAVE is a live concert recording that comes from the PBS-TV special of the same name. Mirabal, along with his band Rare Tribal Mob, presents a collection of both new material and revisited hits. Listeners can enjoy a diverse set that includes powerhouse rock songs, soft instrumental pieces and Native American pop.
For Johnny Whitehorse, music has always been the healer, & these are the sounds that have inspired him on his travels & studies around the world. He creates music to open the senses & arouse the soul through spirituality & connectedness to the earth. This third recording by esoteric flutist follows his GRAMMY award winning Totemic Flute Chants. It may well be his most powerful yet. 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Native American Music Album
SONG CARRIER is the story of a man and the music of his soul, his land, his people and his heritage. Hear the voices of Mother Earth and Father Sky in these authentic Native American recordings. Robert Mirabal plays the Native American flute, enhanced with subtle nature sounds, native percussion, rainstick and crow feathers. Every track on this album is deeply moving and spiritual. SONG CARRIER is meditative in nature, yet each song tells a unique and different story. Listen as Mirabal pulls in new sounds from the heavens and prepare to be captivated.
MP3 clip
Powerfully evocative of the people and the land he loves, Robert Mirabal's new release TAOS TALES is a brilliant cross-over release bridging the gap between his previous ethereal flute releases and his recent rock-oriented titles. With his Native flute and the haunting, spirited words of his Tiwa language, Mirabal, along with his band on cello, guitar and percussion, uses ritualistic chanting, shakers and sampled sounds to reflect the soul of the ancient Taos Valley and the impact made on it and its inhabitants by the inroads of the modern world.
Johnny Whitehorse is Robert Mirabal's alter ego. In contrast with the contemporary, rock-infused music commonly found on Mirabal's core releases, his work under the Whitehorse pseudonym reflects his introspective side - the eternal wanderer and explorer, roaming the plains in search of higher knowledge and enlightenment. TOTEMIC FLUTE CHANTS is a haunting release that focuses on the melancholy serenity of the Native American flute, amidst guitar, light chant and rhythmic/percussive elements whose purpose is to provide emphasis and dramatic flair, rather than keep the pace. The theme of the album is totems or animal spirits that watch over, protect and help us connect with Mother Earth. It's a simplistic though very colorful work that does an excellent job of conjuring mental imagery associated with the vast plains of Middle America and the Southwest.
On WARRIOR MAGICIAN the magic of Robert Mirabal's solo Native American flute melodies intertwines beautifully with the delicate sounds of Ross Lewallen on didjeridoo and Mariam on keyboard and guitar. This award-winning flautist from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico offers listeners a stirring companion to his critically acclaimed release SONG CARRIER. Of WARRIOR MAGICIAN, Mirabal says, "I offer my work as a healing for the human spirit and a remembrance of why we are here together."
