*** Jerry Alfred & the Medicine Beat

CHARCOAL GYPSIES

(Red House)

HHH Jerry Alfred & the Medicine Beat, Here's a beautiful combination of tradition and experimentation. Guitarist, hand drummer, and vocalist, Alfred blends standard folk singer/songwriter elements and the musical sounds of the Northern Tutchone Nation -- the Yukon-based people from which he comes -- and fits the mix to arrangements so spare and unusual they're borderline "out." This CD's about stories and spirit, the music warm, organic, and soulful. Tutchone and English vocals co-exist; Bob Hamilton lays down atmospheric guitar colors. Call it Native American psychedelia.

-- Ted Drozdowski