Album Notes

This is the first solo effort from MAKWABID, a singer/songwriter of the Abenaki Nation in the Northeastern U.S. He credits his Ancestors and Traditional Elders of his people with the inspiration to write, arrange and record these thirteen songs, a sacred number, and no accident. He is a Mikw8baid - a Rememberer - one who has been given the responsibility of relearning and keeping alive Abenaki language and Traditional knowledge to pass on to Seven Generations.

Makwabid is the first in his maternal line to speak aln8ba8dwa (Western Abenaki) for a hundred years. Eleven years ago he was introduced to a spiritual Grandmother of his People, who had been told of his coming. When she took his hand, his life changed forever. He began to relearn the ancient language, and has written at least a dozen Traditional songs that have been performed and heard by thousands at Native PowWows and Gatherings in New England.

A twenty-plus year veteran of the rock n roll bar band scene, Makwabid sings about his own battles with addiction and recovery, spiritual identity, and racial discrimination - many problems that continue to confront the Abenaki community and Native people as a whole. His music has been described as darkly powerful, with soaring guitar lines, sparkling vocal harmonies and heartfelt spirituality.

'WAWANOLEWAT (Greylock's song)','THE HIDDEN PEOPLE' and 'N'DAIBENA'SKUA (We Are Still Here)' are Native Rock Anthems, describing the pain and suffering of the non-Federally Acknowledged Abenaki Nation from Colonial history to on-going State-sponsored genocide and minimilization as a Native people. His electric guitar sparkles, crunches and wails with heartfelt emotion, showcasing his years of playing rock n roll. 'WAZWATEGOK' and 'N'OKEMES (Medicine Song)' have been described by one reviewer as being 'pure Merle Haggard-Country'. There is a joyful, honoring side to this album; 'W8B8BAN(The Dawn)','HERON SONG', 'I SEE THE RAINBOW' and the title track, 'WAMPUM ROAD' all celebrate goodness and truth. The album's closing track, 'NANIB8NSAT (Night Traveler)', is a journey through alienation, lonliness and ultimate self-discovery that shows the influence of, and pays homage to, another Native musician, Robbie Robertson.

Makwabid was interviewed by NATIVE PEOPLES MAGAZINE (September '05) for a Native Artist feature article and review of WAMPUM ROAD. Native Voices Radio on WAIF did a live studio interview with him on Saturday, August 13...check out www.nativevoicesradio.net