Aguas da Amazonia

1	Tiquiê River 1:41
2	Japurá River 4:44
3	Purus River 7:44
4	Negro River 4:19
5	Madeira River 4:00
6	Tapajós River 2:49
7	Paru River 4:25
8	Xingu River 5:03
9	Amazon River 7:26
10	Metamorphosis I 12:32

Barnes & Noble

According to the legends of the Amazon, Uakti (pronounced wah-ke-chee) is a monster with several holes through his body. When he ran through the forest, the wind through his body made mysterious -- and seductive -- sounds. The Uakti ensemble keeps his spirit alive playing its wondrous collection of custom-made pipes, flutes, drums, marimbas, and other exotic instruments. Minimalist master Philip Glass created AGUAS DA AMAZONAS for Uakti and the Grupo Corpo Brazilian Dance Theater. The otherworldly sounds of the instruments evoke images of the Amazon River, inspiring fantasies of gushing rapids, piranha, and anaconda. Melodic phrases from a variety of sonorous xylophones play over each other, building in intensity. Strange-sounding string basses seem to kick and wrestle in the mud, witnessed by a shaman rattling on the shore. Anything civilized seems doomed to the spirit of the jungle: On "Madiera River" the violin squeaks on rusty strings, while the wheezy church pump organ of "Amazon River" is swamped by jungle drums and ghostly flutes. The battle sequence in "Metamorphosis" has the graceful punch-and-parry of Brazilian capoiera kick dancing. Because of Glass's classic hypnotic repetitions, AGUAS DA AMAZONAS is entrancing -- just hold on to your head! Carol Wright

All Music Guide

Brazil's broad mix of cultures and peoples has often resulted in brash, stunning musical hybrids that sound utterly unlike anything else the world over. Uakti have been described as embracing classical, new age, and jazz as well as the obvious descriptor, world music. In truth, the group embodies elements of all four, and Aguas da Amazonia is an intriguing album for any of those interested in the above. Their fourth album for Point Music also includes collaborations with minimalist composer Philip Glass. ~ Jenna Woolford, All Music Guide