TAOS PUEBLO, N.M. – After a four-year hiatus, American Indian recording artist Robert Mirabal is back with the strongest album of his career. The 13 tracks on ”In the Blood,” blend scenes from the American experience – past, present and future – with themes from contemporary Native life. Sung both in English and Tiwa, Mirabal’s native tongue, love songs merge with ghost songs that roll into Americana ballads and full-on tribal rocker anthems.

Produced by Nashville legend Andy Byrd, this concept album will please dyed-in-the-wool Mirabal fans as well as attracting a brand new following.

”It’s the strongest songwriting and performance being put forth today from an indigenous point-of-view,” Byrd said. ”This album follows a narrative cycle of songs in the quest for a brighter future.”

New renditions of all-time Mirabal favorites like ”Medicine Man” and ”The Dance” shimmer beside new works like ”Brave New World,” ”Pottery Shard Man” and ”Holding up the Sky,” which ends with an 1866 quote from Sitting Bull.

”This is a concept record that was inspired by writings of Ken Kesey and the character of Big Chief Bromden he created in his novel ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,”’ Mirabal said. ”What happened to Big Chief after he escaped from the mental hospital? Where did he go? What did he do? It’s also influenced by Aldous Huxley’s novel, ‘Brave New World.’ People don’t realize, but most of that book is set in a futuristic New Mexico.”

Guitar master Larry Mitchell provides the lightning and thunder for the quartet while Patrick Shendon Mirabal, Mirabal’s brother, adds his voice, percussion and sweet flute music. Paul Fowler joins in on keyboards while Mirabal drums, sings and plays flute.

His ninth release overall and second on his own label, Star Road Records LLC, ”In the Blood” is Mirabal’s breakout, crossover CD.

”This album honors Robert’s songs in a new way,” Byrd said, ”Making ceremony of performance and taking us on a techno-tribal journey that returns us to family, hope and love. You’ve never heard anything like it.”

Mirabal has won many honors, including two-time Native American Artist of the Year, three-time Songwriter of the Year, and a 2006 GRAMMY award for ”Sacred Ground,” Best Native American Album of the Year. His 2002 breakthrough PBS musical production, ”Music From a Painted Cave,” remains a benchmark of Native musical entertainment.

For more information on Mirabal or to purchase his CD, visit www.mirabal.com.