In a world where technology has invaded every minute
aspect of our lives, the music of Asa-Chang & Junray
seems somewhat anachronic. Despite making intense use
of technology, the compositions of this Japanese formation
rely heavily on ancient musical traditions to create
one of the most unusual and fascinating piece of work.
Hot on the heels of last year’s impressive Jun
Ray Song Chang album comes this mini-album
by Japan’s most important musical export ever.
Pursuing the sonic experimentations based on ex-Tokyo
Ska Paradise Orchestra Asa-Chang’s unconventional
use of the Indonesian dandud bongo and U-Zhaan’s
traditional approach to tabla, Tsu Gi Ne Pu
was inspired by a poem of the same name mixing ancient
and modern Japanese. The duo’s constant duelling
is augmented with the sonic shapes drawn by programmer
and guitarist Hidehiko Urayama and sound artist Kiyoshi
Kusaka. Reportedly obsessed with the notion of precise
timing, Asa-Chang attaches a great importance at following
the method used by classical composers to divide time
and investigate the possibilities left by hidden intervals.
With Tsu Gi Ne Pu, he pushes further the boundaries
of his music by allowing more interactions between the
percussions and the treated sounds and voices, resulting
in each element being perfectly integrated in the soundscape.
The unpredictability of the melodies adds to the exotic
feel of the compositions, setting the work of the quartet
far apart from that of their contemporaries. The traditional
aspects are used here as a basis to build incredibly
tight sonic structures, challenging the western conceptions
of music in the process. The electronic elements respond
to the organic instrumentation as Urayama and Kusaka
reciprocate the delicate percussive convulsions. The
density of the five tracks credited on the cover is
balanced by the hypnotic sixth, hidden, piece, on which
the percussions take a back sit for a while.
The strength of Asa-Chang’s and U-Zhaan’s
beat constructions and melodic outlines combined with
the sonic experimentations of Urayama and Kusaka offers
a rare combination of ancient and modern music forms.
Tsu Gi Ne Pu is as truly unique and fascinating
as its predecessor. Prepare to be charmed...
4.7/5 |
