Ancient Visions
The Native American flute isn't difficult to play simply, but it takes real ability to fully exploit its subtle range of expression. David Arkenstone has that ability. He's best known for his keyboard and orchestral opuses of the '80s and '90s, but he's a gifted multi-instrumentalist on guitars and flutes, including the Native American variety. Ah-Nee-Mah is a duo he formed with his wife, keyboardist and singer Diane Arkenstone. They aren't married anymore, but that's about the only thing that has changed as they continue to make music together. Like the other five CDs in the series,Ancient Visionsis marked by sweeping synthesizer pads, often propulsive rhythms, and lush arrangements that frame Arkenstone's flute melodies. "Sun Circle" and "Spirits of the Past" stand out for their dynamic romanticism, while Arkenstone creates a meditative space on the echoing flute duet, "Shaman's Dream." But too much of Ah-Nee-Mah comes from the Native store of kitsch. From the banal album title to the amalgam of vague symbolism and echoed chants, it's all wrapped up in the glitter and velvet that has made the Native American new age sound something of a cliché.--John Diliberto