Award-winning musician, Michael Searching Bear, shows fans a whole new side of world music in his newest album, Mirror; a collaboration with T.J. Marlatt. Released this year, Mirror harmoniously blends Middle Eastern beats and begins a haunting musical journey around the world. The Marlatt-Searching Bear collaboration seamlessly blends captivating cultural rhythms from around the world with modern instrumentation giving the album an enchanting twist. Even those who do not love world music will appreciate the music reflected in this enticing album.
Searching Bear won best world recording at the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) for his last album Ceremony, and without pausing for breath, launched his new album Mirror. It would not be surprising to see Mirror snag the same award this year. Mirror features the extremely talented Michael Searching Bear on drums, flute, and guitar, T.J. Marlatt on keyboards, Lora Gray on vocals and violin, Jen Richeson on violin and harmony vocals, and Jeff Brockett on guitar.
The title song, “The Mirror,” envelopes the listener in Middle Eastern rhythms and a dissonant Gypsy scale. Featuring wonderful lyrics sung by the ethereal voice of Lora Gray, the song depicts the gypsy myth of how the violin was created. The song features a unique, almost off key sound that is both surprising and compelling. “The Mirror” exemplifies the tone of the album. Nothing is what you would expect from a Michael Searching Bear album, and yet it still manages to exceed expectations.
The first and most noticeable departure from expectation is that Michael Searching Bear, renowned for his Native American flute music, rarely uses that instrument in this album. This CD highlights Searching Bear’s immense talent as a percussionist by featuring heavy drum beats and using the flute sparingly. While Michael is known for his beautiful and haunting flute work, he is also a classically trained musician who can play multiple instruments. Mirror shows that he can play both the guitar and the drums with the same grace and passion that abounds in his flute playing.
Songs like “Caravan of Camels” show off Searching Bear’s affinity for the drums. From the beginning of the song to the very end, Searching Bear’s drum work dominates. “Caravan of Camels” features a pounding African-inspired drum rhythm that powerfully drives the melody. The song’s heavy drum riffs are tempered by soft vocals and sweeping violin music. The song expertly combines African rhythms with Middle Eastern sounds to create a track that insists the listener get up and move.
Other show stoppers are “Moonlight” and “Domus Iterum.” Marlatt begins “Moonlight” with classical piano riffs that crescendo into a full bodied sound that could easily belong to any great rock opera. The sound is deceiving in its intensity. It is difficult to imagine that such a small band is creating those massive sounds. While “Moonlight” speaks of rock operas, “Domus Iterum” belongs in a sweeping epic. The sound is inspired by Viking and Roman rhythms and Gray’s numinous vocals conjure up images of ancient monasteries and cathedrals. Mirror is true to its word. It sends you on a grand journey across the world without ever having to leave your home. The world reflected in Marlatt-Searching Bear’s Mirror truly shines.
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