CD Review: Geomungo Factory's 'Metamorphosis'

Geomungo Factory
Metamorphosis
Synnara

Geomungo Factory hails from South Korea. The geomungo is a six-stringed, elongated instrument with 16 frets and 3 movable bridges. It is plyaed with both hands that either pluck the strings or strike them with a bamboo stick (suldae) or a musical bow. The plucked instruments are constructed in a similar manner, but the sizes and sounds vary. The result is a relatively lo-fi recording of folk songs without a lot of vocals or much in the way of additional instrumentation. However, the vocals on Track 6 are poetic, moving, and harmonic. The plucked sounds of the geomungo instruments resemble the earthy tones of the koto, the dutar of Central Asia, and the vibrancy of the shamisen. Irregardless of cross country organological comparisons, Geomungo Factory is uniquely Korean--with an instrumental repertoire dating back to the 4th century. At times, the strings sound frenzied, scratchy, and loud, but that is the exception. Track 4 contains part of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, while other tracks are steeped in Korean tradition. The high and low tones of the geomungo are always captivating with each listen. Delve into the music of South Korea today with Geomungo Factory as your guide. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Paul Winter Consort

Paul Winter Consort

Miho: Journey to the Mountain

Earth Music Productions

Built in 1997, the Japanese Miho Museum is an architectural marvel that houses antiquities from the West and the East. In addition to the historical or architectural considerations, the Paul Winter Consort recorded most of the music in the Miho Museum. Paul Winter, a saxophonist, includes numerous musicians on sarangi, sazabo, koto, frame drums, Heckelphone, English horn, oboe, cello, keyboard, bansuri flute, percussion, and bass clarinet for a relaxed listening experience. The subtle musical tones and new-age sounds incorporate vocals from Armenian Arto Tuncboyaciyan on "Love Is Not In Your Mind" and "Before It's Too Late", with Tibet's Yangjin Lamu on "Words of Wish Fulfillment". The vocals and instrumentation is modern, yet retains a traditional and majestic spaciousness as grandiose as the Miho Museum's breathtaking design. Not only does Paul Winter incorporate the obvious instruments and vocals, but also includes the soudns of elephants, whales, cicadas, and birds. Essentially, Miho... is a 'journey' unto itself with all its cascading melodies and associated arrangments. If the Earth had a soundtrack, this would be it! The seventy-eight minute running time is not a bad thing either. ~ Matthew Forss