by Mary Youngblood

Multiple Grammy winner Mary Youngblood is an artist who likes to branch out in different directions with her music. Many of her recent albums have touched upon the realms of jazz, folk and blues, evoking modern touches and earthy rhythms in her tonal soundscapes.

The collection SACRED PLACE, however, is a showcase for Youngblood's softer side. The selections emphasize her serene, sometimes melancholy flute playing against sparse backdrops. She does flirt with rhythmic textures on "Yuba" and "Wind Whispers," and guitar weaves its way through much of the album. But Youngblood's confident flute playing has enough presence to make you push the other elements to the background and focus solely on her harmonies. Included on the album are "Misty Rain" - a pleasant "afternoon in the country" song from DANCE WITH THE WIND, as well as "Sacred Place," "The Offering" and "Nana's Lullaby."

1. Sacred Place
2. Beneath The Raven Moon
3. Wind Whispers
4. Unrequited
5. Tears For Kientepoos
6. Misty Rain
7. Walk With Me
8. Yuba
9. Silent Wolf
10. Nana's Lullaby
11. Dreams To Find
12. Above The Mother Earth
13. Fog
14. On Our Journey
15. Offering, The