About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

The music of rhythm-for-movement maven Gabrielle Roth is about much more than steady drumbeats and counts per measure. Over the years, dancer Roth has refined a system of five rhythms -- flowing, staccato, chaotic, lyrical, and still -- called "The Wave." This sequence, Roth says, parallels the rhythm flow found in nature; when danced and experienced, it can move you through the full range of emotions to a dynamic "stillness." Roth seldom plays an instrument with her ensemble, the Mirrors, but as musical director she instills a constant vision, grounding all her albums in the deeper levels of these rhythms. Endless Wave II offers two opportunities to dance the full five-rhythm wave to a very hot soundtrack of bristling percussion, bounding bass, and tribal jazz vocals. Roth's spoken instructions, peppered throughout the two suites, are not at all intrusive. Roth's smoky voice adds a hip quality that can only help you get into the groove, even if you don't dance at all. This CD offers the soundtrack to two of her artistic movement videos, The Power Wave and The Inner Wave. (Music-only versions are available on the Tribe and Bardo albums, respectively.) The "Power Wave" is a full-tilt, high-energy approach to the rhythms, while the "Inner" version works all five rhythms over the more restrained (though still raucous at times) tribal-Zen colorings of "Stillness." You don't have to be an athlete to do this cathartic work: Start where you are, and bring your current physical or emotional state to this practice. You could simply dance in your mind along with this music, but as Roth recommends in her motto, "Sweat your prayers." Theory aside, Endless Wave II is an exciting and engaging tribal experience with remarkable and sensitive ensemble work that left me feeling thoroughly exhilarated. Highly recommended! Carol Wright, Barnes & Noble

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