Ron Korb is versed in different Japanese flutes (bamboo flute, shinobue, misatobue, ryuteki) as well as Western flute. The pieces were written by
Korb and Hiroki Sakaguchi (keyboardist on the CD), except for arrangements of two Japanese traditional songs. Other contributors to the album are Senzan Tani and Yoko Tanaka, and the instruments used include the shakuhachi, koto, shamisen, taiko, guitars, synthesizers, and percussion. The pieces evoke themes of Japanese history ("The Story of Heike," "The Tale of Genji"), landmarks ("The Todaiji Temple"), or spirit ("Winter Night," "Autumn Rain"), yet most of them are also reminiscent of Western semi-classical types of pieces, as can be found among many Japanese composers. ~ Bruno Deschênes