THE SULTAN’S PLEASURE Javanese Gamelan & Vocal Music Recorded under special arrangement with a Javanese Sultan, The Sultan’s Pleasure features performances on royal gamelan sets by the royal ensemble of the palace of Yogyakarta. Some pieces are also accompanied by percussion and vocals. Extensive notes on the music and instruments are included. (MOW 116) |
SHINGETSU Tadashi Tajima The shakuhachi, a notched bamboo flute, is the most important wind instrument of Japan. This recording features eight pieces for solo shakuhachi played in a distinctive style by Tadashi Tajima, one of Japan’s finest traditional flute masters. Tajima’s breath, phrasings and use of long flutes combine to make this an exceptional recording. Excellent for concentration and relaxation. (MOW 124)
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OFFERINGS Ralph Samuelson The shakuhachi, a vertical bamboo flute, is the most important wind instrument of Japan. The pieces on Offerings are characterized by a focus on breath as the central element to meditation, by long and full notes, and by an emphasis on each individual tone and its subtle variations in pitch, quality, and dynamics. The music explores the deep world within each sound and brings the performer and listener to a state of stillness & harmony. (MOW 153) |
LANDSCAPE OF THE HIGHLANDS Trân Quang Hai The mesmerizing and exotic sound of the dan tranh, a sixteen-string zither from Vietnam, is the focus of this recording. Five compositions for solo dan tranh are played by Trân Quang Hai, a talented and well-known musician who comes from a family of five generations of musicians. Since 1966, he has performed thousands of concerts around the world, and has taken part in hundreds of international music festivals. This music expresses a wide range of feeling, from melancholy to exciting and engaging.(LAT 50612) |
BAMBOO VOICES: FOLK MUSIC FROM LAOS Khamvong Insixiengmai This recording highlights playful melodies from the fascinating music tradition of Laos, and features talented singers Khamvong Insixiengmai and Thongxhio Manisone. They are joined by master instrumentalist Khamseung Syhanone, one of the best khene players in the world. He plays amazing harmonica-like sounds on a free-reed bamboo instrument known as the khene. Also featured are the phin, or plucked lute, and cymbals. (LAT 50601) See AllMusic reviews and album credits
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ECHOES FROM THE PALACE Sam-Ang Sam Ensemble Dancing has been associated with the court of Cambodia for over a thousand years. Khmer Court music, in its present form, is an integral part of an ancient and highly expressive dance tradition in which the Khmer people take great pride. The dancers use articulate movements and gestures to convey a story as it is told musically by the orchestra. This traditional pinn peat ensemble, directed by Sam-Ang Sam, employs a wide variety of gongs, reeds, xylophones, drums and vocals. Translations of the Khmer lyrics and detailed notes are included. (MOW 140) |
SONG OF THE BANYAN: FOLK MUSIC OF VIETNAM Phong Nguyen Ensemble This recording features beautiful Vietnamese folk songs performed by renowned musician Phong Nguyen and his ensemble. The fourteen tracks feature vocal and instrumental pieces, and use a variety of Vietnamese lutes, zithers and percussion. An excellent introduction to Vietnamese folk music and an important addition for Asian music collections. (LAT 50607) See AllMusic reviews and album credits
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MOHORI: Khmer Music from Cambodia Sam-Ang Sam Ensemble Beautiful Mohori-Khmer entertainment music and songs from Cambodia are performed by the Sam-And Sam Ensemble. Instrumentation includes xylophones, hammered dulcimer, folk fiddles, zither, flute, drums and finger cymbals. (LAT 50609) |