Michael Joseph: PRESS/Reviews

MPMFestival, Kaldi's, World/Roots

...Ulery states that his music is an "effort of combined and varied musical influences ... not meant to represent any one particular culture or medium." Indeed, the hypnotic instrumental album O-Glepi is a mélange of styles, with Spanish guitar flutters, Appalachian roots and, most prominently, Native American flute work. The end result makes for a tranquil listen, like New Age music with a pure, organic appeal.
~Music to take candle-lit bubble baths to. (MB)

The Indie Review
Michael Joseph: A Swim in the Deep End

The “dumbing down” of worldly music has aided in the creation of baseless ideas and/or contents that portray, perhaps, a random scattering of emotions. It’s a win-lose situation: On the one hand, the music’s simplicity and shallowness allows the “toddlers” to swim with both the big kids and adults alike. Tragically, on the other end of the spectrum, we’re left with “grown-up” music fans barely getting their feet wet, wading in music’s hypothetical kiddies pool—offerings that feel no deeper than a bird bath to the more-so refined crowd. By the grace of a guitarist/composer named Michael Joseph and his 2005 release O-Glepi, the aforementioned patrons are given the go ahead to dive in: It’ time for Adult Swim!

With O-Glepi, Michael Joseph (Ulery) reaches beyond typical cultural boundaries, as he spans and weaves from classic guitar work to the classical Spanish plucking style to heavy Native American overtones. The Native American vibe is often carried entirely by the variations of flutes on offer, which he so effortlessly masters throughout the disc. As he states, the album is not to be categorized into one genre or culture-specific medium. Rather, as he puts it: “…it is a product of various musical and cultural influences. Music for the sake of music…”

Titled O-Glepi: Songs for the Native American Flute and Guitar, the composition begins with “Ancestors Song,” arguably a tribute to Ulery’s cultural heritage and its accompanying influences. The song wastes no time in introducing the listener to the album’s two most prominent instruments, acoustic guitar and the almighty flute. O-Glepi is a journey into the deep roots of the artist, both instrumentally and emotionally. All instrumentation is earthly—in a way that the cellophane wrapper smells of both peyote and traditional American comfort food (or may as well anyway).

It’s anything but surprising when the Native chants seem to exist well after they actually appear in the recording. As it seems, so much of what occurs is implied rather than actually recorded to disc. We hear what we want to hear, because we think it needs to be there; it feel like it shouldn’t actually be audible for the masses. Reason for this being: The listener is summoned into the music. Thus, we’re able to give our own input, and rather than being forced into participation—for those moments we don’t care to be—Joseph instead allows us to simply opt for soothing, and perhaps transcending, background music if we wish.

Michael Joseph’s O-Glepi is an inspiring listen. And it’s a great bet to satisfy anyone anxious (and daring enough) to swim in the deep end.

Acoustic Magazine, UK
In his sleeve notes, Michael Joseph Ulery informs that this recording "is an effort of combined and varied musical influences" and that this album is "music for the sake of music". What the artist does not state however is how tranquil and absorbing his music is. I defy anyone to feel stressed while listening to this tender, yet simple album. Heavily influenced by his roots, Ulery has created a charming work that flows serenely with gently strummed chords and authentic native flute playing. The term itself O-Glepi is the Lakota word for "shadows" and serves to further reinforce the organic and earthy feel of this album. The album benefits from what can best be described as a naked honesty and humility. For a genuine and satisfying taste of what a campfire on the Plains underneath a clear, starfilled sky must feel like, try O-Glepi- you won't be disappointed.
April /May issue

Return of the Native to North America

There is an echoing sadness and an appealing beauty to Michael Joseph’s music. His album O-Glepi subtitled Songs for Native American Flute and Guitar is a testament that ancient themes can materialize into a modern world and still bring peace and comfort to troubled spirits.

From the northern hemisphere to the south, music has always been an essential part of Native American life and Joseph’s music is no small contribution to that tradition. He uses guitar, flute and natural percussion to celebrate the power that music has, to honor the Great Spirit, and to rejoice in everyday life. His style is folksy, yet respectful of his roots. The CD is organic; that is to say it wasn’t a studio perfect recording. Instead, I think it represents a true portrait of a man enjoying and creating music for the love of the experience. There might be a few unscheduled time changes and a few drum beats a little different from the others, but that is what made the whole album earthier and more authentic.

A tune ten years in the making, Ancestor Song opens the album with a soft, trilling flute lead and a warm rhythm guitar. Influenced by his Pan American roots and the songs of his grandfathers, Michael offers a tranquil homage to the past.

The simply titled Traditional is a solo flute piece played on a hand-crafted 5-hole flute. It is a soft, crooning melody that reminds us of echoing mountains, clear rushing streams and the vastness of the open plains. It is a very soothing piece that represents Joseph’s best effort.

Red on White is just about my favorite on O-Glepi. It sounds as if the wind has become real and it plays a number of echoing flutes to commemorate the tragedies of the Lakota. Like many cultures that inhabit the Americas, they were punished for their beliefs and a tenacious hold on their way of life. In particular the Ghost Dance, a dance that promised a return to plentiful food and much cherished freedom turned out to be a catalyst that incurred the wrath of the white man.

Anpo’wie is a very traditional sounding tune that honors the power of the stars. It seems that on every continent countless numbers of wayfarers used the light of the stars for direction and as a strong basis for their beliefs. The Lakota believe that what occurs in the stars is mirrored on earth.

Contemporary is another flute solo that is melancholy, yet reflects the nature of man today. Hopeful describes it best and reverent to the beliefs that some day it will be as it was. Sparrow brings out the down-to-earth composer and guitarist in Michael as he does a bit of magic and turns a tiny bird into a soaring eagle. It is the sound of a light hearted spirit that loves freedom.

O-Glepi is Lakota for shadow. It is a perfect title for music that profiles the harsh, yet honorable life that the Plains peoples embraced. Even today there is no stronger example of tradition that that of the Native American people. Michael Joseph has put history to music and he has done it well.

Featuring the warm, melting tone of Native American cedar flute, supported and anchored by mellow, acoustic guitar and soft drumming, "O-Glepi" by Michael Joseph fuses folk styles from rock to folk blues with indigenous music and a calm but directed new age approach regarding accessibility. Similar in ways to the Carlos Nakai and Peter Kater collaborations, Joseph's work is always grounded and earthy, easy to digest and relax to. A very fine album.

Michael Joseph - O-Glepi 5.0 stars

The music on this album is hauntingly beautiful and sad at the same time. Sometimes you can hear the cries of the Native American people in his music. Track #4 Traditional (flute solo on hand made 5 hole) is simply beautiful. There is no doubt Michael has perfected his craft it shows on every song. There are also influences from other cultures, like the Spanish influenced Red on White (blood on snow) that again is simply a beautiful song. I hope, just like Michael, that everyone will be able to enjoy this CD. It is truly worth your time to sit down and listen to the beauty of music.

Ok, Rock and Roll is my life. I'm not ashamed to say it; my love of music has dominated my life in ways that I wouldn't have dreamed of when I was younger. And yet it has always fed my soul and enriched my life beyond measure; just the right album will do that for you. O-Glepi, by Michael Joseph (Ulery) is such an album.

This is a record of instrumentals that showcase Joseph's exceptional compositional and playing skills, and his Native American background. With the haunting washes of flute that define this music, one is tempted to label it "new age" but Joseph's former life as a punk rocker cancels out any hints of bloodlessness associated with "new age" music.

There is a feeling of spiritual calm that runs through many of these tracks: "Ancestors Song", "Mojave Lullaby", "Anpo'we", "Redrock" and "Contemporary" all evoke a sense of peace, grace and beauty that gives one a feeling of hope.

All the material here showcases Joseph's masterful guitar skillz, and often recall his previous punk rocker roots, especially on "Gourdhead", "Red On White (Blood On Snow)" (wonderful mandolin work there), "Sequoia Boogie" and "Time With You". Not a note out of place or a moment wasted; music for the heart and the head.

Joseph ends things on up note with the soaring (no pun intended) "Sparrow" which will leave you glowing feeling long after it's done. O-Glepi is nectar from the gods that should be sipped and savored--allow it to feed your soul.

MICHAEL JOSEPH: O-GLEPI (self-released)
There's something charming about the music of guitarist/songwriter Michael Joseph Ulery. His promotional material emphasizes his mixed heritage, not just his Native American roots, and his mixed musical background (rock/punk/jazz/blues/classical/bluegrass). And his acoustic music reflects the mind of someone being who he is, not some marketing ideal. O-Glepi begins with folky acoustic guitar chords under a Native flute melody called "Ancestors Song." Then a hit of acoustic blues guitar with flute on "Gourdhead." The flutes mesh well with the guitar, and are featured on two solo tracks. Michael Joseph shows off his own licks on the multitracked "Red on White (Blood on Snow)." He's clear about his music, saying "It is not meant to represent any one particular culture...like the artist...it is a product of various musical and cultural influences." Humble and refreshing, O-Glepi is a sweet taste of contemporary acoustic music with Native (and other) roots.

On "Sequoia Boogie"...
"If this song was a painting, it would be a group of people having a good time. The sweet melody burtsting...the fusion is great!

O-glepi a true work that reaches the spirit in all...

Need a break from the loudness of life? Michael Joseph's sophisticated and earthy guitar and Native American flute stylings will transport you to a different place and time. Michael's music will gently touch your soul and your yearnings for simplicity. A great gift, too, for friends who seek the pure sounds that honor culture, our world and the goodness life has to offer.
5 Stars!

The flute music is haunting and evocative, inviting serene transcendence. The combination of guitar, drum and flute yields sensuous, lyrical, rich music. The fluttering echoes and natural rhythms are ethereal and at the same time earthy, leaving me with a melancholy longing for a past existence in simpler times.