Sacred Rhythm of Bali - 2002

VA - Sacred Rhythm of Bali

Жанр: World, Gamelan
Страна-производитель диска: Япония
Год издания диска: 2002 (2008)
Издатель (лейбл): Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Номер по каталогу: XSCL 10007
Аудиокодек: MP3
Тип рипа: tracks
Битрейт аудио: 320 kbps
Продолжительность: 1:03:03
: да
Треклист:

01. Gamelan Semar Pegulingan STSI Denpasar - Tabuh Batel 'Pengalang' (4:15)

02. Seka Kecak 'Puspita Jaya' Br. Ulapan Belahkiuh-Badung - Kecak 'Pengawit' (1:30)

03. Seka Gender Wayang Batel 'Punarbawa' Desa Sukawati-Gianyar - Tabuh Angkat-Angkatan 'Kejojor' (2:08)

04. Gamelan Semar Pegulingan STSI Denpasar - Tabuh Batel 'Bebapangan' (3:07)

05. Seka Kecak 'Puspita Jaya' Br. Ulapan Belahkiuh-Badung - Kecak 'Kapandung Sita' (8:58)

06. Seka Gender Wayang Batel 'Punarbawa' Desa Sukawati-Gianyar - Tabuh Pategak 'Sekar Jepun' (3:31)

07. Gamelan Semar Pegulingan STSI Denpasar - Tabuh Pengalang 'Semara Winangun' (8:53)

08. Seka Kecak 'Puspita Jaya' Br. Ulapan Belahkiuh-Badung - Kecak 'Ring Taman Asoka' (9:06)

09. Seka Gamelan Gong Gede Desa Batur Kintamani-Bangli - Tabuh Gilak 'Paponggangan' (3:21)

10. Seka Kecak 'Puspita Jaya' Br. Ulapan Belahkiuh-Badung - Kecak 'Pasiat' (2:20)

11. Seka Gender Wayang Batel 'Punarbawa' Desa Sukawati-Gianyar - Tabuh Pategak Batel 'Saketi' (10:29)

12. Seka Gamelan Gong Gede Desa Batur Kintamani-Bangli - Tabuh Telu 'Bebaturan' (5:25)

Об альбоме (сборнике)
I bought this SACD, its a pure DSD multi-channel recording of Gamelan instrumentals and Kecak 'singing'. I only have a two channel player, but can see that this type of music would really work multi-channel. It is obvious that it is a theatrical performance, with the vocal tracks telling a story and the instrumental tracks illustrating a scene.
The Kecak is a complex interlocking chant, based on the Ramayana story of the abduction of Sita and her subsequent rescue by an army of monkeys. The monkey chant is performed a cappella by a large 'choir' of men. Its hard to describe, but the choir chatters like 'monkeys', and croaks like 'frogs'. Its hard to describe, but the sound mesmerizing and a very interesting application of the human voice. It is obvious that numerous modern composers like Terry Riley have taken inspiration from this style of singing.
The vocals are so clear, you feel like you can see the singers standing in a choir in front of hut on the sand. You can make out each individual voice in the chant, with clear positioning and depth. I felt if given a pencil and paper that I could have drawn the positions of the singers, who was standing and who was taller.
Interspersed between the vocal tracks are pieces of Gamelan music, magical melodious percussion music. It is performed using orchestras of tuned gongs, bronze kettles, bronze metallophones, bamboo xylophones, drums and cymbals. Melodic parts interlock, divided in such a way that musicians play alternate notes to form the melody line.
From the instruments used, you can imagine the variation in tonal texture which is achieved. Being a long time fan and owner of original pressing of the nonesuch explorer series on Vinyl, I can say that the direct DSD recording with modern microphones really ups the ante several notches, the level of detail was quite staggering.
Whilst listening, images of each bronze key was etched into my mind. I felt I could see coarse rough casting of the bars. When each was struck, I could hear the initial 'tink' followed by the resonant note, including slight changes in the tone as the energy in the bar dissipated. I wondered if I was also hearing some resonance in the instrument frame, and had a picture of the bar moving slightly as it was struck. Further, I could hear the sound coming from the resonance of the stick used to strike the instrument. As different notes where played along of the instrument, could you easily pin point each bars horizontal location. Cymbals sounded like they were in the room, and the drums were uncanny in that you could hear their simple construction. It was like 'well, that’s just what it sounds like if someone was right there beating the drum', it didn't sound recorded at all, but completely acoustic.
This is my first disc review, so apologies if I used the wrong terms or if it was too subjective. All I can say, is the music is fantastic, but even if you hate Gamelan, you should have this disc to impress your friends and give your system a workout. I'd love to hear someones multi-channel and/or panel/electrostatic experiences
-- Daniel