ON ENSEMBLE: Dust and Sand

On Ensemble

Dust and Sand

© 2005 On Ensemble (634479124075)

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Seeking to explore new realms for traditional Japanese drums, On Ensemble combines musical influences ranging from centuries-old Kabuki music to jazz, rock and electronica .

notes

With the powerful rhythms of ensemble taiko music at its foundation, the On Ensemble (pronounced "ohn") combines the musical and dance talents of its members into unique and provocative performances. As a Los Angeles newspaper put it, "On Ensemble ... has made its mark in both the U.S. and Japan with its one-of-a-kind blend of taiko with non-traditional styles including jazz, rock, and electronic."

In their 60 years of combined taiko experience, the On Ensemble's young musicians have studied and performed with renowned masters of traditional and contemporary music and dance in the United States and Japan. With musical experience ranging from centuries-old Kabuki music, to jazz, rock and electronica, the On Ensemble has crafted a repertoire of ground-breaking taiko music. After a successful debut concert in northern Japan and its first western-US tour in the spring of 2002, the group received the Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award at Los Angeles' Japan America Theater, "in support and recognition of emerging artists of promise who are furthering the development of Asian Pacific American performing arts."

The On Ensemble utilizes Japanese drums hand-made by Miyamoto Unosuke Shouten instrument maker to the Emperor of Japan. Current works feature these drums in conjunction with dance, bamboo flute, koto (Japanese zither), electric guitar, western drum kit, turntable and Tuvan overtone singing.

reviews

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  • Constantly amazed...
    author: Ayumi Pantell

    On Ensemble constantly amazes me with their talent and creativity. It's music on a whole new level and my ears are happier for having On Ensemble touch them. I was going to say which ones I love most, but realized I was about to rattle off the all the songs on the album! I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a pre-release copy of their newest album and I'm still amazed. If you love Dust and Sand, be sure to keep an eye out for "Ume in the Middle".

  • Excelent sound
    author: Hachi Gatsu

    I saw the On Ensemble in concert once and I was hooked, they do amazing work, whether its live or on a CD. Some bands aren't so good live, but the On Ensemble deliver on both ends with their own sounds. They don't call it Neo-Traditional Taiko for nothing. I recomend it for those who think outside the musical box.

  • Solid... yet it flows
    author: Raven of the Red Sky

    I'm glad I purchased this. The quality is quite good and every beat of the drums brings forth energy while the voices are brilliant. "Little Man" makes me want to jump in as a chorus of voices greatly adds to the energy of the song in a later portion. There's some variation with the songs "Same Planet" and "Zeecha" as the electronics really come into play and add flair to every moment of the songs.

  • Every song bursts forth with energy and imagination.
    author: Jon Bergstrom

    This is one of the most innovative CD's I have ever heard. Every song bursts forth with energy and imagination. The recording is crisp and clear - yet there is mystery everywhere as there are more sounds than I can comprehend. The editing and mixing are really first rate - exceptional for a first album. My congratulations to everyone involved.

  • On Ensemble's debut CD will become a collector's item
    author: B. Au Yong

    On Ensemble's CD DUST AND SAND contains all the hallmarks of an alternative classic: smart musical structures, groovy aural textures, balanced mixes, unique sounds, and raw innovation grounded in tradition. Even though each successive track is totally different, the recording as a whole flows seamlessly from song to song. For the liner notes, I want to read more about each track. I especially want to know about On Ensemble's instrumentation. Along with taiko and percussion, I hear a bevy of world vocals (Tuvan, English, Japanese, etc.), turntables, koto, and other instruments. From their debut CD, I get a sense of On Ensemble's many influences and look forward to how their sound will solidify into a distinctive voice in the years to come.

  • author: CD Baby

    Using traditional Kabuki (Japanese theatre) music as a springboard for their contemporary world fusion mix, On Ensemble beautifully combines folk, jazz and rock into a tightly-woven fabric making full use of acoustic potential before adding tasteful electronic colors. Their music has a calm and meditative center about it- there is a steadiness, a wholesome, humble beauty that journeys inward for more variety as opposed to adding on ideas from the outside. Featuring both instrumental tracks and those with vocals, their innovative vocabulary bends and refreshes the imagination.

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