Waters Deep by Maia The Artíste
Water is life. Water is a vital spiritual medicine, essential for cleansing and healing. It embodies a space for surrender, memory, strength, and enlightenment. All living beings depend on water to thrive, as it symbolizes life, fertility, and sustenance, as well as hardship. For many people, water is viewed as a sacred gift from the Creator. Multi-instrumentalist Maia (Sonjia Denise Hubert Harper), a longtime member of Chicago's AACM and the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra in Los Angeles, originally created Waters Deep as a solo harp piece to accompany a dance tribute, choreographed by Laurie Goux, for the iconic dancer, Miss Katherine Dunham in Chicago in 1996. Miss Dunham was present at the debut of this piece. Over many years, Waters Deep evolved into a three-movement suite celebrating water as life’s essential force.
Tracklist
| 1. | PASSAGE (1st Movement) | 14:28 |
| 2. | YEMANYA CELEBRATION (2nd Movement) | 7:55 |
| 3. | MOONLIGHT BAPTISM (3rd Movement) | 9:55 |
| 4. | REBIRTH (Finale) | 4:09 |
Credits
This album is dedicated to Derf Reklaw, James Leary, Y’deedaw Dardah (Cheryl Coleman), Katherine Dunham, and Oscar “Bobo” Brown, III, who have passed on.
Special Thanks to Radha Botafasina for the use of her Camac Pedal Harp and Salvi Lever Harp. The Lyon & Healy Lever Harp is from Maia’s personal collection. To Carlos Niño for his effortless respect and support through completing this project.
Movement 1 & 2 recorded by Mark Maxwell, Mixed by Griffin Alan Rodriguez
Movement 3 & 4 recorded by Jesse Peterson, Mixed by Jesse Peterson and Joseph Leimberg
Mastered by Andy Kravitz
Cover art by Low Leaf
Design by Erika Ho
Liner Notes Maia and Samuel Lamontagne
The Village
License
All rights reserved.
Maia The Artíst is a Multi-dimensional Expressionist, most notably featured with the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra located in Los Angeles, Ca., where she resides. Maia’s notoriety is due partly to her membership with the AACM of Chicago. A band leader and composer who is proficient on several instruments including flute, harp, vibraphone and other mallet percussion. Maia is also a beloved Vocalist.