Rhythms of the Chakras
Velez has created dozens of recordings featuring his percussion, working in a variety of styles and ensembles. On this album, listeners have the rare chance to hear a meditative, simple solo effort. He plays bendir (a frame drum from North Africa) or bodhran, adding caxixi (a Brazilian rattle) or maracas. He overlays this with wispy voices that come and go. Touted as "healing" musical work that stimulates the energy centers of the body and mind it is also excellent listening music, played with subtle passion or firebrand virtuosity, building layer upon layer of complex rhythm using the most basic of tools. Velez makes a frame drum sing melodies like few percussionists can, and here you can have it without the usual extras--Louis Gibson