Lorrie Sarafin: Reviews/Press

A Musical Journey through the Desert Southwest

From flutist Lorrie Sarafin comes an album which contains some of the best combinations of desert ambient soundscapes, haunting Native American-influenced flute, and environmental sounds since John Huling's classic release, Desert Plateaus. Listening to SECOND WIND is like taking a journey through the southwestern United States, from the majestic landscapes of Monument Valley to ancient Anasazi and Pueblo ruins to shadowy sand and cactus landscapes which are both beautiful and terrifying in the isolation they represent.

Employing various instrument sounds and loops (e.g. assorted synths, percussion and keyboards) as well as her excellent flute-playing, Sarafin portrays a day in the life of the desert, starting with Bobbi (Canyon Sunrise) and its plaintive echoed piano and washes of ambience with additional hand drums later added to the music, and ending with the eerie textural Dusk (featuring some evocative kalimba, i.e. thumb piano, set against the sounds of crickets and synth washes) and the mysterious yet serene Camelback Shadows with flute hovering over tribal percussion and waves of synths that evoke images of the lengthening shadows of the song’s title.

In between are thirteen more tracks, all of them offering variations of this assortment: ambient-flavored pieces that contain excellently engineered synth/keyboard washes and tones, songs dominated more by the artist's Native flute, or perfectly balanced blends, such as Floating, which bounces reverberating bell tones underneath pulsing hand drums, a flute refrain, and fluid synth lines. Some tracks delight with their inventiveness, such as the whimsically titled It's A Dry Heat (swooshing whirling synths set against sampled plucked upright bass which morphs into a quasi-glitchy piece as ping-ponging tones are set off by ebbing and flowing washes before settling into a shimmering collection of electronic textures, suggesting heat rising from the desert floor). Zen Gardens has, as one might expect, an Asian sound to it, although the addition of reverbed tones scattered throughout the track juxtapose the bamboo flute and tribal percussion nicely. Environmental sounds add just the right emphasis to Monsoon as approaching thunder leads to a torrential downpour before fading into a gentle rainstorm, while a Robert Rich-like flute floats hazily in mid-air and subdued electronic effects impart an otherworldly sensation to the piece.

From a technical standpoint, as an independent release, Second Wind is exceedingly well produced and engineered (the artwork is equally professional, especially when compared to some other indie first-time recordings I have seen). Seeing as how this is Lorrie Sarafin’s first solo recording, it’s exciting to speculate where she is headed. This album is one of the best efforts in capturing musical desert ambience I’ve heard in a very long time. I eagerly await future music from this extremely talented woman.

Rating: Excellent   

- reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 1/19/2006

"I love your powerful and deeply healing music."
~Laney Goodman, Host/Producer "Women In Music" - a nationally syndicated public radio show.

Hauntingly beautiful, and soothing to the soul. Every time I listen, it takes me on a new journey. Press "play", close your eyes, and let the music take you away. From the uncommon beauty of Lorrie's Native American Flute, to the soundscapes that surround it, this is a must-have CD.

Wonderfully evocative...your playing is quite soulful...

"Every one of the 16 tracks on this CD is a jewel and a sensory experience not to be missed."

...captures you from the very first chords...a brilliant debut...ideal for meditation, relaxation and recovery. "SECOND WIND" is a waterfall of sincere emotions that soothe a heart and elevates a mood.
(Translated by Tatyana L. Permyakova.)

Serge Kozlovsky

click on "Reviews" once you get there and look for My name...

"Your flute playing is truly artful and touches the core of my soul. It reminds me of animals, the Sonoran desert, and how precious life really is."

Thank you for sharing your gift to the world. I've been practicing the effects of sound vibrations for healing and relaxation and have many other CD's. I just finished listening to Second Wind and it is still my favorite. Once again I feel wonderful. Your CD is a Second Wind for the mind, body and soul...

This CD has calming powers.
This album is awesome. It takes you away from the real world and to a place that is so peaceful and tranquil that it is hard to even imagine. Close your eyes and listen to these sounds and your soul will begin a journey like no other.

Haunting, Spiritual, and Beautiful!
Lorrie's performance on her native American flute is so hauntingly beautiful. It takes you to a new level of mind and spirit. Each track is clear, distinct, and excitingly descriptive. You will walk through the Zen Gardens, you will float like the eagles, you will feel the heat of the desert and sense the desert creatures slithering past you. Her music will touch your soul. Her CD is a journey that will relax you physically, spiritually, and mentally. It's a beautiful listening experience.

"SECOND WIND" is superb!

...captivating and hauntingly delicious...I felt better each time I listened to it...

"SECOND WIND" is a WIN-WIN CD! Combining all the best of New Age elements in one wonderful package. What's not to like in Lorrie Sarafin's first solo effort!

I've Purchased Over A Hundred Relaxation Compilations. Some Were Good, Some OK, Some, Merely The Same, Production And Mixing Studio Formulas. This Artist Has The Amazing Ability To Share Her Deepest Soul...It's REAL. It's Captivating. It's A Masterpiece.

Awesome! Perfect for yoga and meditation. A must buy.

Excellent Stuff...

Fantastic!!
A great CD to listen to the various nuances of the Native American Flute!!. This CD is great for meditations or just those quiet times when you need to find a place away from every day stresses. Highly recommended!!!!

It's wonderful - enlightening - representative of true spirit within nature. The soothing and flowing music on "Second Wind" allows one to travel easily on his/her own spiritual journey.

Your flute captures the spirits of the land and its healing properties (medicine for the soul and mind). The shamen I imagine would use your compositions to bless their sacred spaces. You are truly talented.

...it's wonderful...

Well mixed and very relaxing...