KYUL

After having listened very much to the very prolific Russian multi-instrumentist SENMUTH, I wasn't expecting to find something sounding similar to him. The similarity is mainly in the rhythmic part and in the chord progressions. Of course, Senmuth plays a lot of ethnic instruments, but I'm not sure about the Korean Dulcimer that Yun plays excellently. I have no idea of the kind of skill neded to play it, but I have the impression of a virtuoso.

Similarity in the kind of sensations and mental images that their music is able to raise. Despite being from the far East, it's only on track #5 "Rust" that we can hear something clearly oriental, and it's a beautiful track. Repetitive but not obsessing, melancholic but not dark on which the fretless bass enters unexpected and takes the lead for few bars before giving the stage back to the dulcimer.

This track would be enough to make this album a good purchase, but the whole album is extremely enjoyable, moving from dark ambient to newagey oriental flavors. The musicianship of this trio is remarkable. Drums and sometimes percussion create a perfect background on which bass and dulcimer take the lead.

The absence of guitars and keyboards is not perceivable. When some distortion is needed it's the bass that works as an electric guitar.

The production is very clean, and for this kind of music a clear production is a must. I think it could be used to test ampli and speakers by audiophiles.

I want to mention track #8 "Hide and Seek". even if it has a fast and strong rhithm, it makes me think to Vangelis with the chord progression, with the addition of a very fast dulcimer playing. It's incredible the way it sounds "full" even without a keyboard background.

A 4 stars album from a highly skilled trio.