Zen Gardens by Wall Matthews Erikanian Music, 2003 http://www.zengardensmusic.com Here's an elegant little album of what might be called "Japanerie," that is, the decorative and somewhat playful use of "Oriental" motifs by a Western artist without any heavyhanded attempt to be "authentic." Wall Matthews uses synthesized sounds and acoustic percussion in transparent tracks of pentatonic pleasure. His rhythms are gentle and undemanding; they don't force themselves on you, but carry you along easily. His harmonies are dominated by Oriental pentatonics but they could just as easily be Western jazz harmonies. One of the nicest things about this album is that Matthews does not overload the texture with overdone multiple layering. He has one synthesizer layer, one percussion layer (synthesized or not) and a few special effects or natural sounds, like crickets or thunder. This sparseness is highly effective in conveying a peaceful, gardenlike atmosphere. At times, this sound reminds me of the dry, ironic compositions of Richard Bone; at other times, the minimalism of someone like "A Produce." I also enjoy the emotional distance of this album. It isn't drenched in sentiment and it doesn't make any appeals to "the heart." It invites meditation and quiet, without the overwrought piety of some "Zen" renditions. Its last track, titled "The Philosopher's Path," with its thunder and rain sounds, sums up the theme of this album: contemplation in a beautiful garden. It's a place I am happy to visit. Hannah M. G. Shapero 3/31/04
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