Alex E. Smith, Perry “Cheevers” Toppah, Nitanis “Kit” Landry – “Rain in July” Album Review

Alex E. Smith, Perry “Cheevers” Toppah, Nitanis “Kit” Landry – “Rain in July” Album Review

Blending tradition and the grace of some of the most recognized voices on the Powwow Trail, Alex E. Smith, Perry “Cheevers” Toppah, and Nitanis “Kit” Landry's “Rain in July” is a remarkable testament to the creativity and power of the Native American voice. Released in 2009 with Canyon Records, Rain in July is the second installment by the artists and combines both dedication and studio expertise making the album a unique and beautiful approach to the development of Native American music.

Rain in July Cover

The album features vocal harmony in unheard of ways to much of Native America, but continues to highlight the beauty and simplicity of Native American song and culture making Rain in July definite listen among the rankings of American Indian music available today. Their songs highlight many aspects of Native American culture, yet honor the tradition that we know and love – the human voice.

With Alex Smith representing both the Pawnee and Sac & Fox, Perry “Cheevers” Toppah representing his Kiowa and Navajo heritage, and Nitanis “Kit” Landry representing the Whitefish Lake Ojibwe Nation, listeners are exposed to pure Native American originality by artists representing both southern and northern singing traditions. The album also features Native American flute player Anthony Wakeman on several tracks and the renowned voice of Dine Louie Gonnie creating a blend of American Indian musical tradition that deserved to be heard by all.

Rain in July is a notable addition to the catalog of American Indian music that draws upon the timeless heritage of American Indian people – a must listen!

Listen to their CD on Native Music Radio Radio!

 

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Darren Thompson (Ojibwe/Tohono O'odham) is a Native American flute player, activist and educator from the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Reservation in Northern Wisconsin. A frequent performer and public speaker, his commentary on American Indian cultural identity as well as his reviews of his music has been included in Indian Country Today, the Native Sun News, News from Indian Country, The Examiner, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and numerous other media. For more information please visit www.darrenthompson.net

 

Last Updated on October 5, 2015 by Paul G

About Darren Thompson

Darren Thompson (Ojibwe/Tohono O’odham) is a Native American flute player and writer from the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Reservation in Northern Wisconsin. He contributes to Native Peoples Magazine, Native News Online, Native Max Magazine and Powwows.com. For more information please visit www.darrenthompson.net


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