Probably the best words to describe John Kaizan Neptune are explorer and adventurer. Almost all the instruments used in TakéDaké are bamboo-only instruments of Neptune's own creation: baliphone (bamboo marimba), bambass, bamboo drum set, bamboo conga, bamboo frame drum, and, of course, shakuhachi. To that are added some other instruments from Bali, Vietnam, and more. TakéDaké in fact means "bamboo only." The music itself is as much an exploration as the instruments themselves. For example, the melody of the first piece "Ocean Motion" is based on a Japanese five-tone folk scale, the 12/8 rhythmic groove is African and it is accompanied by a Vietnamese torung. Two pieces are distinctly Balinese and Javanese in character. The other pieces have Japanese, Korean, Cambodian, African, and other influences. Quite a melting pot, but quite an adventure. Something to satisfy for the best musical travelers. by Bruno Deschênes
Tracklist:
1 Ocean Motion 6:00
2 In The Hollow 5:49
3 Jegoging 3:53
4 Java 5:55
5 Korea Idea 4:44
6 Japanese Roots 7:33
7 Five Nodes 7:39
8 Uduboo 5:45
9 Parting Paths 2:25
10 Sky And Sand Way 4:05
11 Angklung Journey 3:52
12 Angklung Journey
Credits:
Congas [Bamboo], Percussion – Yoshinori Nohmi
Drums [Bamboo Drum Set] – Mark DeRose
Frame Drum [Bamboo], Percussion – Christopher Hardy
Performer [Baliphone] – Hitoshi Hamada
Performer [Bambass] – Yoshihiko Katori
Shakuhachi – John Kaizan Neptune
