Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble (2015, DSD256) – Yarlung

Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble released in 2015 by Yarlung Records. The recording includes compositions by Steve Reich, Eric Whitacre, Happenstance, a world premiere recording by Derek Tywoniuk, and works by Toru Takemitsu and Ravel.

It opens with Reich’s complex Nagoya Marimbas which shows off the virtuosity of the ensemble. Together the five musicians weave into filaments of sound and rhythm as if they were one person.

Each track is a musical and sonic spectacular with perhaps Lou Harrison’s Cantitcle No. 3 with its hauntingly, primitive feel punctuated by the ocarina interspersed with John Cage-ish percussion segments being my favorite. This recording’s huge dynamic range, instrumental colors and especially cornucopia of percussion instruments including bass drum and tam-tam will give even a thoroughbred audio system everything it can handle and even a bit more.”