Midori Takada is the percussive mastermind behind Mkwaju Ensemble, as well as a member of the free-jazz trio Ton-Klami. This is her only solo release, and it’s gorgeous, comprised of percussion (mostly marimba, as well as what sounds like traditional Japanese drums), shakuhachi, and field recordings (mostly birds). It’s not all as fluffy as it might seem, though–Midori Takada is first and foremost a percussionist, so the album peaks when she picks up steam, building up to ecstatic, drawn-out drum crescendoes (especially on the closer, “Catastrophe Σ”). It makes for a record that is alternately dreamlike (“Mr. Henri Rousseau’s Dream”) and fiery (“Crossing”), but always precise and beautiful (and with an album cover that looks like a leaked painting from Rousseau’s secret hallucinogen phase, no less).
Still enjoying the Mkwaju Ensemble post, so definitely looking forward to this one!
Many, many thanks. Fantastic blog you've got here.
do you know who the artist is who did the cover? cheers Mal.
really nice ~ thxxxx for sharing~~
Cover: "｢残されたアリウス｣" by Ochida Yoko (1981).
amazing, thank you!!
Ochida Yoko also did some great artwork for this Dorothy Ashby album: http://imaginaryradiostation.blogspot.fr/2017/04/dorothy-ashby-djangomisty.html
This is one of my all-time fave albums, thanks for sharing!
The link is dead…. any re-up ? Thanks : )
link got taken down because of the reissue — go buy it, worth every penny! http://paltoflats.com/release/midori-takada-through-the-looking-glass/