Search - Indians :: Sacred Spirit

Difficult To Know What To Say, Exactly

anoniemoose | East Coast, USA | 12/24/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought these CDs (I and II) last week and was thrilled with the quality of music. It is beautiful, still. Five stars musically, there is no question. But I rated it three stars as my enjoyment of the CDs is now tempered by knawing questions about apparent human rights issues surrounding the production of these CDs. I was so taken with the gorgeous music- ethereal, ambient, with stunningly beautiful chants- that I decided to research the producer, known on the CD only as 'The Fearsome Brave'. What I uncovered was startling; I would not have bought the CDs had I known this information in advance. I bought these CDs to enjoy Native American music- not a Euro ambient CD with Native chant samples (the second CD is a little clearer on the exterior label; on the first CD- this one- it is almost impossible to tell). The producer- 'The Fearsome Brave'-is apparently Claus Zundel, a German who is reportedly not Native American at all; according to Tim Cooper's article at the Music Human Rights web site, the four tribes who recorded samples of chants- which contributed inextricably to this album that sold 1.5 mil copies and made 20bil pds. in Europe- received nothing of the 20bil pds. According to Cooper, they were paid 600pds of 1200 paid for those recordings; instead of compensation from the 20bil pds, an unspecified amount is being donated to the Native American Rights Fund (but nowhere can I yet find out what this percentage is- not on the CD cover, either). The owner of a web site featuring authentic Native American music (www.rainbowwalk.com) also has yet another note about this album- somewhere there might've been the word scam. The bottom line is- it is gorgeous music- and to name oneself 'The Fearsome Brave' is hardly illegal, if perhaps having the potential to be grossly misleading in this specific context, yet I would have appreciated knowing what I was truly purchasing. Further, my appreciation would be far more glowing -and perhaps I could almost overlook the Claus alias- if I had the sense that Native Americans had gotten a fair deal in the making of the albums. There are, at the very least, some serious questions. I may continue to enjoy the music as I paid [amt] for both CDs- though I have a saddened heart about how many Native Americans may feel about the production. I recommend that potential buyers research these CDs on independently and make decisions from there. As I said, difficult to know what to say, exactly."

I loved this C.D.

Brian A. Kempski | 12/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a perfect sound. You can feel the spirit of the group. Ecpecially, when I listen the second song of Part 2 (Yeho-Noha), I forget everthing and only listen to the music."

Sacred in Spirit

Brian A. Kempski | West Seneca, New York USA | 01/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one CD where every song will reach out and guide your inner feelings; the rhythm works well whether driving, hiking, relaxing or working out! After listening to over 25 Native American CD's (or referenced as such) this Sacred Spirit is the best. If the price is too high for a first attempt at Sacred Spirit, purchase the Sacred Spirit CD entitled "Yeha-Noha", you won't be disappointed. You can sample the tracks on Amazon."