No wonder the prevailing mood is often melancholic this time of year - the season makes many people yearn for atmospheric sounds that further stimulate contemplation and retrospection. Today's recommendation fits that sound profile perfectly well, in my view, and it doesn't matter at all that the album is not brand new.
As a matter of fact, the early pioneers of the Chinese electronic music scene, Hong Kong- / Beijing-based artists Christiaan Virant and Zhang Jian aka FM3, have become more celebrated for their ingenious Buddha Machine loop player (if you have no idea what the heck that is - just as poor me - see here) than for conventional studio work lately.
The first full-length album in a decade, 'Ting Shuo (听说)', as the most recent masterstroke by the two creative musicians is entitled, was released in November 2014 after the duo had toured mainland China and Hong Kong in 2013 and 2014, writing and recording along the way for this special project.
The ensuing tracks were mastered by Kassian Troyer in Berlin; the instruments used include a cello, a Steinway Grand piano and a vintage Roland keyboard as well as the mandatory Buddha Machine. Overall, the sound is more classical and melodic but as moody and innovative as ever.
Of course, the digital album is available for streaming and download via Bandcamp (for 5 US$ or more; plus VAT for EU buyers).
And in case you want to explore some more: Enjoy a short documentary that was originally filmed by Vice China in 2013 in Chinese language, introducing the two guys, the Buddha Machine player they invented and Buddha Boxing (don't panic, the newer version below has added English subtitles!).
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