The Sun Dance ritual is the subject for R. Carlos Nakai's Sundance Season. The Sun Dance celebrates and honors man's relationship with Mother Earth. Nakai explains that tribal dancers in the ritual are encouraged to concentrate on their reasons for dancing and to meditate on the orderliness of life. Nakai's original melodies arise from the themes of the sacred traditions: On Eagle's Wings, (meditations on the scintillating flight of the golden eagle), Light Waves, (recurring phenomenon of light refracting through water droplets, manifesting as rainbow paths), and Water Bearer (reaffirming the essence of life upon this small dust speck orbiting a very small star). The inspired playing by Nakai of the wooden flute, together with vocal chanting, drumming, and the lonely sound of the eagle bone whistle, brings to life this celebration of creation.Nineteen eighty-seven's Sundance Season was released at the height of Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai's creative powers and is the first of two recordings done at Lindisfarne Mountain Retreat in Colorado (the other being Desert Dance). While Desert Dance is a solid representation of Nakai's diverse talents, Sundance Season emits a more inspired, alive energy, perhaps due to the Sun Dance festival that took place near Lindisfarne during recording time. Nakai's flute meditations on this collection emote relaxing, centered prayer while his chant and gentle, low drumming seamlessly blend in an added ancient dimension. Particular standouts include "White Shell Dreams" with its cleansing sounds of a fresh rain shower and the Tibetan bell on "Ritual I" and "Ritual II," uniquely bringing forth a peaceful awakening. The solo on the eagle-bone whistle mixed with Nakai's lovely baritone voice provide a pure, golden finish. One of Nakai's best. --Karen Karleski
