What are the elusive qualities that give an album a distinct identity? 1) Having its own sound, not quite like any other album. 2) A consistent, cohesive sound from the first track to the last, and 3) Giving the listener a unique feeling, a particular kind of enjoyment that they won't find anywhere else (even on other output by the same artists - in this case "Feather Stone and Light"). This is such an album. People have called Red Wind "desert music" or "southwest music" and we might as well accept these terms to describe the land of high skies, steep canyon walls, long shadows, sudden heat and coolness, bright sun, patches of shady green, magical twilight and black night that this album seems designed to evoke, where man is a small player with a big, observant spirit. William Eaton's guitars (quite varied in sound) seem to be nature herself, including rocks, wind and animals. Will Clipman's drumming could be man's activity, including his work, rituals and celebrations. And Carlos Nakkai's Native American flute could represent man's thoughts and feelings as he observes nature and ponders his place in it. Your own interpretations might be different, but this is beautiful music that slows down your internal chatter to a point where you can find your own place in it, and your own interpretation.This excellent CD is a mix of many of the skills of these musicians. There is, of course, the SW American Indian basis, very haunting. But these guys design most of these songs around many of the skills that they bring. There are jazz elements and riffs, some gentle reminders of popular music, especially in the guitar. But mostly this seems to be great SW musicians enjoying themselves tremendously. They are superb musicians playing a dizzying variety of instruments making some unusual sounds, and at times they even seem to be having some fun -- but it never really leaves those canyon and desert roots. And it all blends together superbly -- not gimmicky at all.The only thing that might disappoint some is that this is not "pure" SW Indian music; it's that plus a lot more.Beautiful background for meditation.Some albums are noteworthy, others are sublime, but this is both. It rises above in subtle ways, and takes you with it. It is the best album I have purchased in the last 5 years easily, and definitely one of the best I have ever purchased. To the musicians who created this masterpiece, thank you.This is one of my favorite CD's by far. You have three wonderful musicians that blend their instruments perfectly in my humble opinion. Over a 15+ years of listening I have had a lot of meditative moments.I have been a looking a long time for different music for massage therapy. Someone once told me that Native American Indian music is therapy and would be a compliment to my massage therapy sessions. I purchased this and I do agree.. Thank you so much for such a wonderful CD!!have been listening to this over and over since I recently bought it; not tired of it yet - wonderful music!I love anything recorded by R. Carlos Nakai ! This is CD is worth getting !All good.