Ulali and Douglas Spotted Eagle among its members – Robertson combines the heartbeat percussion and keening vocals of indigenous music with pop and classical elements. Like Ennio Morricone, he has a gift for sound that's both stately and hip, primal and intricate. A shuddering sadness underlies such pieces as "Ghost Dance" and "Twisted Hair," and that's proper – this is primarily a chronicle of profound loss. But in the Native American poetry and the fused strength of guitar, strings, natural elements and found sound, there is celebration – a ritual summoning of a spirit that lives yet. (RS 698/699)

PAUL CORIO