"Violinist Vicki Richards e-mailed me recently to say she had seen my 1998 review of Parting the Waters only last month. Keeping with the theme of time dilation, I considered it appropriate to finally check out her 1999 release Temple Dwellers (Temple Street Music). Fusion music predominates, though a few classically based interludes pop up, including Richards' jaw-dropping multi-tracked version of herself as string quartet on "Slices of Ravel." On "Wellspring" I first thought I was hearing a sarangi. But it's Vicki emoting deeply with a nod to classical Indian styles as a drum kit, tabla (played by Tim Richards) and Sam Chiodo's jazzy bass build a structure strong enough to accommodate the elation of her gorgeous violin. Amit Chatterjee of Weather Report fame contributes a Mahavishnu-esque lead guitar to the piece. After surviving English prog-rock group the Flock in the 1970s, I never thought I'd ever want to hear a violin with wah-wah pedal again. But her subtle use of this gimmick on "Earthwalker" emulates a human voice to marvelous effect. "Temple Dwellers" uses violin, voice and percussion to evoke the majestic loneliness of the Canyon de Chelly Navaho site. Richards' versatility, taste and style are abundant on this disc. Major record labels, where are you?

.....(by Bob Tarte, The Beat magazine, Volume 22, Number 2, 2003)