If you have never heard of "Samite" (pronounced Sah-mee-tay), please allow me to introduce you to a singer/composer who took one of my favorite instruments, blended his voice with it and created magic. "Samite," an artist from Kenya who has spent many years here, put aside his marimba and litungu (harp), to turn his attention on this CD to the kalimba. The Kalimba is a fully constructed African Thumb Piano, while it's counterpart, the mbira, is usually made from a gourd. It's a boxlike instrument which has tuned strips of metal or wood that vibrate when played with the thumbs. A Kalimba can have any number of strips or tines, and usually have from about 8 to 12.

As "Samite" says, "Since they're handmade instruments, each one is tuned to its own scale, and has its own sound and mood." Some of you might remember the Kalimba from a summer camp project. The basic ones can be that simple to construct. Yet, the sound is melodic and soothing.

Throughout the 12 cuts on "Stars To Share," "Samite" combines guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion in varying ways to give a gentle, almost healing feeling, to the music he shares with us. Throughout it all, he gives us the beautiful tones of the Kalimba.

On "Tindiba," the 3 elements of voice, acoustic guitar and kalimba combine to form a sort of imaginary flight of fancy. "Samite" expresses what song a butterfly might sing, while dancing in the air. It's easy to close your eyes and see it.

"Esawayo" uses the bell-like percussiveness of the kalimba (which musically represents the daughter back home in Africa) merged with "Samite's" voice, building in an energetic back rhythm as keyboards, electric guitar, bass and percussion are added. All unite to express the encouragement and love of a proud father for the daughter working on her own goals.

Patti Cathcart, a favorite jazz singer, adds a bit of her style and scat to "Samite's" gentle rich voice on "Bring Back The Music," where they complement each other and enliven the hearts of those who hear this simple question, for music, rather than guns, for peace, rather than pain. The music builds from question to plea, from plea to call, from call to demand. It's a cry from the heart for the soul to feed on music and not gun fire. Beautiful music. Beautiful energy.

"Old Man's Wisdom" is a gentle song featuring voice, guitar and fretless bass. The message is simple. Part of it carries the entire song, "Respect the elders, and all they have to offer." Lovely, simple and nurturing. On "Sala Endongo," "Samite" sings, "Everybody dances." Though the tune is light and soft, it is also melancholy, thoughtful and introspective. Here he is carrying forth the marvel of the uniqueness within each of us. Though we may hear the same tune, we all dance to it differently. There is quiet wonder in this song.

The title cut, "Stars To Share," is a more dynamic piece, infused with the wonder of the universe around us. The fusion of world cultures lends itself well to the scope of "Samite's" sound. "Cradle With Love" is a father's lullaby. Childhood songs usually leave me cold, but this one is so tender and pure in delivery, without being maudlin, that even I was caught up in it.

With a spontaneous release of pleasure in a new musical experience, "Samite" tried an electric keyboard for the first time on "Having A Good Time." You wouldn't know of his inexperience while listening, and though there are no actual lyrics, just his vocalizations, you can hear his delight with this new form of expression!

Syncopation, percussion, kalimba and flute focus the light hearted joy of "Siwa" with it's lyric about a beautiful, imaginary woman. It's a happy serenade to be shared with the lady you love! "I'll Be Strong" is an homage to women surviving abuse. This strong piano piece is almost an auditory lifeline of strength and hope. "Samite's" compassionate and gentle voice wraps this sturdy rope in a velvet sleeve and offers it out to the listener to take hold off. Uplifting, and empowering.

Just when you think you can't be lifted any higher, you are treated to a symphonic ballad featuring both "Samite" and Patti Cathcart, called "Mountains Of The Moon." Just like Aaron Copland, "Samite" creates his own sound and adapts music from the mountain people of Uganda to rejoice in the feeling of freedom and joy in existence. There is an incredibly artful and rhythmic complexity here, which so defines African music, that it suffuses the listener with that same sense of joy. "Samite" carries the heart of this beauty, and in concert with Patti Cathcart, delivers it up with a Jazz flavor, both moving, and joyful.

In a kalimba dominant beat, the symphonic tone evolves to close the CD with the more enveloping sound of "brass" on "Night Stories." "Samite" developed this song to express the sensation of sitting at a campfire at night to listen to storytellers. But that sounds so simplistic when you think about what you are hearing in this piece. There are so many more layers to it. Each element of the music is carrying it's own rhythm, it's own heartbeat, and when combined, a tapestry of incredible complexity and beauty is revealed. If this is what the campfire storytellers can produce with their words and gestures, I have seen them in my mind's eye, merely from hearing this music. I encourage you to listen, too.