Search - Various Artists :: Bamboo Music

Definitely different and beautiful!!!

K. DeVore | Chicago | 10/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A stunning musical collection! There are a number of cd's out here that have various bamboo flutes from a variety of places, but there are too few that feature bamboo instruments on the same scale as this. There are about six or so different Java and/or Balinese groups on here. Each uses only bamboo instruments: drums; gongs; flutes; etc. Each group presents its own individuality so that none of it seems repetitive. At times, it sounds Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Tibetan, and Thai, and those are moments within the songs and frequently within the same song. What it is not is Hawaiian or music typical of other Pacific-Rim peoples. The music here is also very rhythmic. It flows from simple rhythms to the more complex and amazing poly-rhythms. If you know of and can appreciate the complexities within gamelan music, then you have a very good basis to enjoy and comprehend this CD. Unlike gamelan music though, this tends to be more melodic in my opinion. Some songs do have a more gamelan sound, but some are definitely more melodic. Not that either is bad. There are no western instruments on this or anything more recognizably known. No guitars, basses, drum sets, sitars, keyboards or contemporary instruments. So, it has a very pure sound. And as far as the clarity of the recording itself, excellent!"