Every elementary, middle school and high school music teacher should have a copy Hawk Hurst’s “Roots of Time” to introduce his or her students to highly skilled Native American flute playing, West African drumming and singing, and to other world musical forms. Students can drum, dance and sing along with the traditional and original selections.  But this CD is not only educational, but also provides a pleasurable listening experience.  The melodies and rhythms are soothing as you sit back, clear your mind, and feel the stress in your body dissipate.  In addition, "Roots of Time" will get a lot of play at our house as background music when we have guests over for dinner.
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As the album cover says, this CD is "designed to uplift your spirit, relax your mind, ease your emotions, and empower your body". I say that it succeeds on all accounts. Roots of Time opens with a lively, energetic piece called, "Ray of Light".  If there were no other song on the album, except this one, the album would still be worth purchasing. What a happy song it is! Another favorite is "Battery Blues".  When I first heard it, I imagined an approaching storm on the plains of Africa or in the Desert Southwest. Other selections feature the haunting sounds of flutes, the steady rhythm of drums, and when vocals are heard, Hawk's voice is clear and strong.
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