Album Notes

"It's wonderful when you find someone that can express
the melodic side of percussion. I think Jim Roberts has done that. Plain and simple, this album is just good music!" says Victor Wooten of the Grammy Award winning group, Bela Fleck and Flecktones.

Ancient Hand was the first solo recording by percussionist, producer, Jim Roberts, released in 1998. It is mood-driven music that features experimental use of rhythm instruments such as West African Balaphon, Banjo Uke, Djembe, Trash Snare, Conga Kit, Log Drums, Strum Stick, EMbira, Water Gourds, Paddle Drums, Trash Bells and Big Bass Tubs. Rhythmic and harmonic instruments create poetic mantras for 7 different vocalists, ranging from lofty, Cuban inspired "Yemaya" to the dark moody "Wait for Me" sung by Horse Fly singer, Jeff Claus. The CD features a number of prominent Nashville and Ithaca, NY musicians including Beth Nielsen Chapmen, Victor Wooten, members of the Horse Flies, The Burns Sisters, and Essra Mohawk.

Beth Nielsen Chapman, acclaimed vocalist of 2004 release "Hymns" will be releasing this version of "Yemaya" on two different projects in 2005. She is joined here by the Burns Sisters.

It was recorded in both Ithaca, NY and Nashville, TN. Jim had been playing music with friends in Ithaca in the summer/fall of 1996 and he returned in the winter/spring of 1998 to mix the CD at Pyramid Studio with producer, Alex Perialas.