Mystic Quest
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
Hear the 'wind harp' in this one? It's Lark's African bow harp being 'played by the wind. The trombone ensemble and the solo uses the Hungarian Gypsy Minor. This is the name I know it by, but there's probably many names to old scales because many cultures have used them, naming the scales with their own name and meaning. Over the course of what became two years I finally finished this recording. It took two years to finish because my attention was necessarily taken up by other things. But it was all worth it because I think it had time to mature. Sit back and enjoy! PS - I was thinking it should be in a movie.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, trombone, synthesizer, tambourine; The Wind, African bow harp
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Xi'an
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
This piece of music is dedicated to the first capital China, Xi'an, where we lived for 26 months (2003 - '05), and to the first Olympics in China which were held in the summer of 2008. This piece was inspired by hearing the music at the Baxian Gong Daoist Temple in Xi'an. I created it to represent my experience of seeing the ancient city transforming into its modern form.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, xiao, hu lu si, trombone, synthesizer
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Chinese Gooseberry Jam
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
The lead instrument is called a Hu Lu Si. It is a traditional instrument of one of the many ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province, China. A gooseberry is a kiwi. This is a recording that actually came out of a rehearsal. That's what gives it that 'live' feeling.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, Hu Lu Si (ethnic Chinese folk instrument), synthesizer, percussion; Chris Ridout, guitar; Lark Bowerman, kayamba
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Saturn
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
The ringed-planet, for many, represents earning one's right to do exactly as they please as accomplished through strategy, discipline, patience and destiny. The canon form played on trombone strives to reflect the awesome experience of Saturn.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, trombone(s)
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In Time & Space
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
The spinning exotic-scaled combination of trombone, African bow harp and bass provides plenty of complex 'time and space' to ponder this creation. My universe seems to spin about in organized confusion. This piece uses an old Byzantine scale that is also an Indian raga scale called Bhairava. I really like this scale, so I also used it in Midnight Caravan with the recorder in a different key.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, trombone, keyboard, djembe, percussion; Lark Bowerman, kinubi (African bow harp); Don Keller, electric bass
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Kesa Na Mie
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
Kesa Na Mie means Dance With Me in Swahili. The bass line was inspired by a bass line from a CD by Foday Musa Suso from Gambia.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, trombone, djembe, percussion; Don Keller, electric bass; Lark Bowerman, kayamba
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Majesty
(Kuimba)
Music, Lark Bowerman, Kris Bowerman
Majesty . . . an elephant walking with stateliness across the plain . . . the look of personal sovereignty in the eye of a cheetah . . . the lofty repose of Mt. Kenya or the Ruwenzoris . . . a quality human beings are also capable of embodying when they so choose…
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, recorder, synthesizer ; Lark Bowerman, Celtic harp, synthesizer
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Midnight Caravan
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
This piece started out as a belly dance tune for Lark. It uses an Indian raga scale called Bhairava. It was also used by the Byzantines.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, recorder, synthesizer, tambourine; John Waller, dumbek; Lark Bowerman, finger cymbals; Don Keller, electric bass
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Shaman's Dance
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
I feel that modern people could learn a lot about themselves if we were to listen to the wisdom of the shaman’s of older cultures. This piece is a tribute to all who are reaching into the deep “mystery” inside of themselves and accepting what they see.
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, recorder, synthesizer, Native American drum (Lummi tribe), Ugandan drum, seed pods
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Si Cheza
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
Si Cheza means “lets play or dance” in Swahili. Relax, kick back and enjoy yourself!
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, trombone, background vocal, synthesizer, dumbek, Ugandan drum, maracas; Lark Bowerman; background vocal
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Yaqui Well
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman, Lark Bowerman
Yaqui Well is a very special place in the Anza-Borrego Desert of Southern California. The 'well' was a spring that once served the local Yaqui tribe. Though the music is more Middle Eastern sounding, it seems quite appropriate for the feeling there. At times it becomes so still in the desert that you just can't believe it. And other times a furious wind tears you apart leaving you with the same disbelief. Really a truly magical place!
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, bamboo flute; Lark Bowerman, Native American drum (Lummi tribe); John Waller, tar
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Congo River
(Kuimba)
Music, Lark Bowerman, Kris Bowerman
In 1947 Lark’s Mom and Dad sailed up the Congo River to the area where she was born and where they lived until the summer of 2000. We hope to one day make the trip ourselves but in the meantime this bow harp tune is our imagination of the “Congo River Odyssey.”
Personnel: Lark Bowerman, kinubi (African bow harp); Kris Bowerman, kinubi; John Waller, Moroccan clay drums, shaker; Don Keller, electric bass
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Meeting Owl
(Kuimba)
Music, Kris Bowerman
The owl and crickets were recorded the same night we laid the basic tracks of the recorder and bass. It was a magical night out in the countryside of Northern California!
Personnel: Kris Bowerman, recorder; John Waller, Udu drum, percussion; Don Keller, electric bass; MOTHER NATURE, Screech Owl, Crickets, Stream recorded by Kris Bowerman
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