Medicine Wind

Artist Information

Biography

The Music:
Kinobe has developed his approach based on traditional styles from all of Africa, with a focus on the Kora, the Kalimba, percussion and a soulful voice. Michael’s guitar work draws on classical, jazz, psychedelic and spiritual sources. He is a fingerstylist, making extensive use of open tunings.

The synthesis of rhythms, melodies and emotional directions from their mutual histories creates an amazing ambiance that is both personal and far reaching; at all times reflecting the original source of their inspiration, the power and beauty of Nature.

Both Kinobe and Michael have reached high levels of instrumental virtuosity, and Kinobe has developed a deeply soulful vocal artistry. Their music is presented with the clarity and complexity of classical performance, yet conveys the intimacy and broad energy of world music.

The Musicians:
Kinobe was raised in Uganda, and has been a traveling performer since the age of nine. By the time he was 21 he had travelled to every African country, visiting and learning from musicians from both urban and remote communities. At the age of nine he began touring and performing in Europe, first with his school, then independently. He has visited and studied with the family of Toumani Diabate, played with Ali Farka Toure and performed with Youssou Ndour and Anjelique Kidjo. In 2007 he toured 18 countries with his band Soul Beat Africa, and his music has been used in the recent movie “The Last King of Scotland.” Kinobe’s instrument of choice, the Kora, is a traditional 21-stringed African harp. Kinobe's website is www.nomadroots.com.

Michael was raised in the remote forests of British Columbia, Canada. For 35 years he chose to play the guitar as a spiritual practice, with no intention of playing professionally. In 2004 his encounter with the indigenous medicine ceremonies of the Amazon triggered a 16 month wave of virtuoso composition and in 2005 he began performing publicly. He has recorded this body of compositions in a two CD set called The Medicine Path, and has developed a new fusion of styles that is being referred to as Acoustic Psychedelic Chill.

He has performed in Canada, Uganda, The United Arab Emirates and France. Michael has played the same acoustic guitar for 35 years. The harmonics and overtones this instrument can now produce, after so many years of resonance, are astounding. Michael's website is www.ladybirdmusic.com.

The Performance:
The Medicine Wind performs on both small theatre and large stage settings, offering either two 45 minute sets or one 30 to 60 minute session. Their theatre sessions include a short component describing the instruments Kinobe performs with and their cultural context and history.

Instrumentation

Kinobe - Kora, kalimba, voice, various African percussive instruments
Michael Waters - acoustic guitar, various digital effects

Discography

The Medicine Wind
CD 2008 The Medicine Wind

Kinobe
CD 2007 Soul Language

Michael Waters
CD 2008 Spirit & Space, Guitar & Cello
CD 2006 CD Lost in Tierra del Fuego
CD 2005 Famous in Mongolia

Audio

• Lake of Sand (live loop)
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• Anaconda King segment
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• Finale - Suite Sophie
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Note to Reviewers [+ Show ]
  

  Michael Waters' debut CD was released in December, 2005. It has been submitted for review to sev...
  
  Michael Waters' debut CD was released in December, 2005. It has been submitted for review to several publications.
  
  As well, after 35 years of playing privately. Michael held his first public performace in January, 2006, in Bamfield, BC. What follows are emails and testimonials from this show and several private House Concerts held in Victoria.

• Banyen Sound CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Victoria-based guitar instrumentalist Michael Waters’ first CD, Famous in Mongolia, launches listen..."Victoria-based guitar instrumentalist Michael Waters’ first CD, Famous in Mongolia, launches listeners on a mapless sea of beautiful riffs and tender heart-windows. Since 2004, when Michael met the noted Peruvian curandero Guillermo Arevalo (the Shipibo ceremonies used by Guillermo involve chant and song at its deepest expression), he has been riding an outpouring of creativity which led to the creation of this music.
  
  ...This is music to take you places… a devotional music, fingerpickin’ the soul chords… a guiding light in the strings…"
  

• Performance response [+ Show ]
  

  ....where I first had the pleasure of hearing a guitarist from Victoria named Michael Waters. His m... ....where I first had the pleasure of hearing a guitarist from Victoria named Michael Waters. His music was, and is, transportive in a way that I have heard very rarely by any single instrument or musical expression; it is spawned from such a deep place that at times it seems to cease being music at all and becomes simply aural emotion; it is psycadelic in the best sense of the word with strong hints of jazz fusion; it is liquid in flow and feel.
  
  His favorite tuning, D minor 9th, and his incredibly seasoned guitar yield sounds and sound fluctuations that one would think must be digitalled altered, particularly when heard live.
  

• Performance response [+ Show ]
  

  Thanks for your contribution to a great music evening in Bamfield. I loved the way you play and the ...Thanks for your contribution to a great music evening in Bamfield. I loved the way you play and the way it touched me.....Some sections has a particular impact on me. I feel like strings are being touched within my Being.
  Particularly during some high notes. There is a resonance and vibration that comes alive.
  It is hard to describe exactly what takes place and the closest that comes to my mind is a form of healing.
  

• Performance response [+ Show ]
  

  Your sound simply filled all spaces on some kind of musical holographic plane... I never knew that ...Your sound simply filled all spaces on some kind of musical holographic plane...
  I never knew that guitar could be so sculptural... You are wonderful, humble and masterly,... I felt your spirituality and humility...
  How do you DO that...you seem to be in a richly deeply sort of meditative state when you are in it... Very wonderful to watch you too. Ah, but the ear...FILLED with surprising musical spaces....textures, quiet and powerful, little and lacey, huge and exapnsive, so many things that words don't say. I've never heard such guitar dance with such control and wide open landscape . . .

• CD client [+ Show ]
  

  Michael .. I received the CD .. listened to it .. it is just extraordinary .. off the charts .. beyo...Michael .. I received the CD .. listened to it .. it is just extraordinary .. off the charts .. beyond the beyond .. we love it. Thanks so much. This is really fine music.
  

• CD client [+ Show ]
  

  Hello Michael, I love listening to your CD, I'm playing it over and over. The original compositi...Hello Michael,
  
  I love listening to your CD, I'm playing it over and over.
  The original compositions you created are beautiful and your guitar playing is absolutely gorgeous.
  You are a truly gifted composer and guitar player.
  You're music is intimate, relaxing and stimulating, wonderful, a favourite in a huge collection of acoustic solo guitar players.
  

• CD client [+ Show ]
  

  Dear Michael, ...the two copies made their way to me. I have listened to your wonderful soothing...Dear Michael,
  
  ...the two copies made their way to me. I have listened to your wonderful soothing and beautiful music and I love it. Thank-you so very very much.
  
  With many blessings!
  Lynne

• CD client [+ Show ]
  

  ... your playing is superb. You have a cleanliness of tone and attack that is wonderful. I have lis... ... your playing is superb. You have a cleanliness of tone and attack that is wonderful. I have listened to many solo guitar CD's and there are very few that have that kind of acoustic clarity. The clarity does come partly from the recording, I think, but it originates with your actual technique on the strings.
  
  There are, as far as I can hear, no muffed noted at all, and that is amazing for a project like yours. You give the impression that you are playing well within yourself, and so right away the listener is put at ease. You can do what you want.
  

• Radio Station [+ Show ]
  

  "All you need is a stereo, a beach, and Famous in Mongolia" – Kris Dickerson, Station Manager, The F..."All you need is a stereo, a beach, and Famous in Mongolia" – Kris Dickerson, Station Manager, The FreQ Radio

Setlist

two 40 - 45 minute sets with a twenty minute break

First set:
The Medicine Path - compositions from teh first two CDs

Second set:
Acoustic Psychedelic Chill - one 42 minute voyage with looping and delay effects.

Basic Requirements

Calendar