Río De Luz River of Light Album by Oscar Reynolds

KARUMANTA MUSIC is proud to present the release of Río de Luz (River of Light), an all-original new album by Oscar Reynolds. Río de Luz has aired on over 850+ NPR and PRI affiliate radio stations and syndicated programs throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad, including NPR's Morning Edition and has debuted at #7 on the NAR charts! Thank you everyone for your support of this wonderful album!

Each musical piece celebrates the versatility of the Bolivian panflute as it combines with South American and flamenco guitar and African-inspired Bolivian and Peruvian percussion. Retaining the same spirit of the Andes, the new album remains true to the Bolivian tradition with its rhythms and instrumentation, while revealing Mr. Reynolds' unique musical style. Oscar explains, "This music retains the same spirit of the Andes, but it also has a part of me. I am playing this music in a new context--with my own style--inspired by my heart, life, and experience in music."

One listener of the track Río de Luz writes, "This music touched me so deeply. My friend bought your CD "River of Light" for me, and I have listened to it many times since then. But the first song, "Río de Luz" is so hauntingly beautiful that I find myself crying as I listen. There are times when I feel the hands of God reaching inside of me, cradling my heart and then lifting it up to the heavens. It is pure joy. Thank you for sharing your music. You have a great gift." - Donna Bonin, Haverhill, Massachusetts

We are proud to feature the best South American guitarists and percussionists in the San Francisco Bay Area as guest musicians: Enrique Coria of the David Grisman's Quintet on guitar, José Luis Reynolds on charango, and Fernando Sanjinez 13, Raul Ramirez, and Perú Negro's Lalo Izquierdo on percussion. Also featuring the special participation of flamenco guitarist Chuscales, hailed as “one of the best flamenco puro players in North America” by guitar luminary Jesse Cook. Click on the guitarist and percussionist links to view their individual biographies.

"River of Light is a beautiful work that deserves a wide audience! This is top quality World Music played by fine artists. I highly recommend this project."
- The Critical Review

"An exotic, tasty blend of guitar and Andean flute. The music of Oscar Reynolds and his top musician friends is a magical and at times--mystical, delight."
-A. Canales, The Critical Review

"Beautiful melodies that range from a symphonic romanticism to a World Music of mystic suggestions are plentiful."
- Marcella Cirignola, Amazing Sounds

"This CD is, quite simply, the best album I've listened to in this issue...extremely well-recorded, and full of supremely soulful music from the heart. His music is just so easy to fall in love with!"
- Improvijazzation

"There will be very little that your ears don't like. I'm highly impressed, and expect we (and you) will be hearing a LOT more music from this master. "River of Light" gets our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating!
- Improvijazzation

"Give it a listen and see if you don't discern the blending of the Spanish influence with the timeless rhythms of an ancient people. But I must warn you: these simple yet haunting melodies can be both intoxicating and addictive."
- Nightflying

"River of Light suggests that there is a confluence of light everywhere you look throughout the day and from the night. Oscar Reynolds has gathered it up and used it as inspiration for his beautiful flute music. Every song is warm, friendly and energizing." full review
- New Age Reporter

"Sin duda, uno de los 10 mejores álbumes que recibí este año 2005 (más de 150, de momento)." [No doubt, one of the 10 best albums that I have received in 2005 (more than 150 at the moment.)]
- Francisco Manuel, LA OTRA ORILLA at www.radiodespi.com, Spain

"A tasty audio sonolog that weaves a musical spell with a grace and dexterity that will keep you coming back for more."
- Chris Specter, Midwest Record Recap

"Oscar Reynolds turns in fine Latin melodies in the shape of flamenco and South American folk rock. The glimmer from his airy flute melodies shines brilliance across all of the tracks."
-J. Sin, Smother.net

"The eleven instrumental pieces combine flamenco guitar and Latin rhythms with Reynolds' melancholy antara flute, the notes sometimes a sad conspiratorial whisper, others a joyful cry of release. These mellow yet upbeat songs have one foot in the traditional world music, with the other planted in a more contemporary, new age feel. While it may not get you moving, this river flows along nicely."
- James Rodgers, Victory Review

"Oscar Reynolds as composer and multi-instrumentalist has the uncanny knack for writing some of the most compelling Latin originals around."
- J.Sin, Smother.net

"He wisely combines the Bolivian roots of his musical career with elements of new instrumental music. With his warm Andean panflutes, he transports us to dreamy worlds."
- Amazing Sounds

"Oscar Reynolds refers to his music as '...a flow of melodies that glide along like a river of light,' hence the title of the album. And that's as accurate a description of the music on this album as one might come up with."
- Rambles.NET full review

"The overall effect marries South American folk with flamenco while gorgeous sensual melodies quick one's pulse and send the spirit soaring."
- Arizona Networking News

"An all instrumental recording full of evocative Andean rhythms and melodies." full review
- Angel Romero, World Music Central

"Airy, flute-based melodies, which represent the spirit of the high Andes, over soft acoustic guitar and charango melding together with Afro-influenced rhythms...result in a light, tranquilizing feel with a touch of sadness and longing in every note." more
- San Francisco Observer

"Reynolds'...approach to traditional tunes and more contemporary themes in the music bring far more light and shade to the sound... There's an effortlessness in 'River of Light' which takes the listener on a timeless journey across imagined, endless plateaux, meeting broad sunset rivers flooded with sparkling light." full CD review
- Dave Atkin, World Music Central

"The music is a melting pot of Spanish flamenco nylon string sway, Andean string instruments and percussion and of course lofty smooth vocal-like lines delivered around the lush rhythms from Oscar's antara. This is almost 70 minutes of soothing uplifting melody that flows very much like a languid slow moving river from Oscar's soul to that of the listener."
- Mike Blackburn, Sea of Tranquillity

"This blending of traditional and modern, more relaxed with more fast-paced influences not just his life, but his music."
- Victory Review, March 2006

"There's an effortless quality to the music that reflects the professionalism of the group. It's difficult to name a favorite from the 11 tracks."
- Rambles.NET full review

"Río de Luz is superb and very exciting."
- Kitty Norris, KMFB/KZYX

"Polyphonic rhythms and a lush tapestry of guitar, charango, Andean pipes (antara) and bass...gorgeous and sensual melodies..." full review
- Cranky Crow World Music

"Tranquil and relaxing--a perfect backdrop for dining or just listening."
- Rambles.NET full review

"Río de Luz is a beautiful CD full of engaging and warm rhythms."
-Robert Heriford, KGPR

"Río de Luz is a great CD; it's simply beautiful!"
-Kaveh Nicpour, KCSM

"Inspiring." full CD review
- Bruce Von Stiers, BVS Reviews

"A very refreshing album for flamenco or South American music fans!" full review
- Matthew Forss, Inside World Music with Paula E. Kirman

"Reynolds plays the pan pipes very well...bringing a wide range of tone, feeling, and musicality from them." more January 2005, brief reviews
- Chris Nickson, globalvillageidiot.net

"Oscar Reynolds reaches out for something different...a beautiful album."
- World Discoveries

Read the Río de Luz poem by Stephen C. Wetlesen inspired by the album