Emergence

AMG Review of Emergence

Carol Wright
All Music Guide

Emergence, a compilation album, offers a dozen songs, prayers, and chants honoring love, the Earth, and "all our creations." Sophia's compositions and arrangements are fullbodied, and her vocal tone is pure velvet. "Dream Song," with Raphael on synthesizer and Terri Sternberg on violin, is a lovesong of pure nectar. Tracks range from the hypnotic Lakota chant, "The Earth is Our Mother," the "Prayer of St. Francis," with Sophia playing hammered dulcimer, and a number of originals by Sophia. Other contributing musicians include Teja Bell on guitar, Dallas Smith on sax, Pinchi Pete Valesquez and David Schiffman on percussion, and others. Sampled albums include Roots and Wings, Turn to the Sun, Of Thee I Sing, Legend of the Rose, Shine! Big Sur Celebration, Mother, Mistress, Madona, and Journey Into Love.