Like its predecessor, Kinishba birthed from many years of study, on-site research, recordings, and collaborations with a variety of Apache tribal members, most notably Edgar Perry — who was a significant contributor to the preservation of Apache traditions. This new release entwines the electronic ambient sound that Martin and Wøllo are known for with traditional tribal instrumentation throughout, highlighting these collaborations. “Burial Ground” opens with Martin’s ethereal refrain: “Here I am, Here I stay,” an honoring song for those who have gone before us. From its austere beginnings, the track swells into the hypnotic as Leno Edwards, Alfredo Way and Edgar Perry add drums and vocals of an Apache Crown dance. Martin’s voice soars with theirs over a lush bed of Wøllo’s synthesizer for the composition’s riveting finale. On “Fort Apache Meadowlarks,” Wøllo’s euphoric guitar glides over a tapestry of Martin’s pueblo shakers, Taos drum loops and vocalizations. The entire work features these powerful sonic realizations engaging the listener in a transformative experience.
For Martin and Wøllo, Kinishba is “the house of the ancestors,” the inspiration for this latest work about honoring those who came before, and the healing power of ceremony. Kinishba, named for an abandoned pueblo on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, is a reflection on this theme, a vivid collection of 10 pieces that open a respectful, authentic window into remembrance ceremonies of the Apache people. These compositions are an homage to the traditions of the American Indian, ensuring they can never be lost to time like Kinishba itself. For in Apache, there is no word for “goodbye.”
