Flow
In A Circle, 2021
8/10
A fascinating duo comprised of a world renowned pipa player (Wu Man) and a shakuhachi specialist (Kojiro Umezaki), together the pair touch on folk songs, modern execution and a very precise balance between the ancient Chinese and Japanese instruments on this 5 track listen that thematically surrounds the changes of season in a traditional Eastern garden.
“Winter/Night Thoughts II)” starts the listen with proficient and warm pipa playing from Man, as the carefully played strings dance with gorgeous restraint, a hypnotic quality and, near the end, much attention to space, and “Spring” follows with both pipa and shakuhachi interacting with a playful, graceful quality that’s not short on melody.
In the middle, “Summer” is a more firm delivery of quivering pipa amid a meticulous and often fascinating EP highlight, while “Autumn” displays both instruments pulsating with a charming, inviting energy that can also retreat to sparse moments. “Bamboo” exits the listen with a timeless soulfulness as the strategic shakuhachi emits a very distinct beauty that lends itself to reflection.
The pipa, a stringed instrument that’s a pear shaped Chinese lute, and the shakuhachi, which is similar to a flute but made out of bamboo, radiate a very unique sound, and together in these very capable hands, it’s a 30 minute listen that you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Travels well with: Silkroad Ensemble- Falling Out Of Time; Hilary Hahn & Hauschka- Silfra