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. ~ Bruno Deschênes