Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai, Vol. 2

Performer: Kitaro
Engineer: Kitaro; Gary Barlough
Producer: Kitaro
Distributor: IDN Distribution

Notes: On SACRED JOURNEY OF KU-KAI VOL. 2, Kitaro sets out to complete his musical survey of Shikoku. A secluded Japanese island, Shikoku is the home to 88 ancient temples. (The iconoclastic Buddhist priest Ku-Kai was the first to make the sacred pilgrimage across this island.) As on the first volume, Kitaro brings to life the ancient beauty and mystical power of this land. In order to do this, the New Age composer traveled to many Shikoku temples, among them Ryouzenji, Konsenji, and Gokurakuji. His goal was to internalize the natural beauty of these surroundings and to capture the sound of each temple bell. Not surprisingly, these bells are heard throughout the album. Their soft tolling especially complements Kitaro's keyboards on the futuristic "Kan-Non" and on the foreboding "Ritual Waves." Kitaro also uses traditional Asian instruments on all 11 tracks. Among others, the opening track, "Shining Spirit of Water," features a spacious and haunting koto (Japanese zither) melody. Additionally, various flutes and pipes are heard soaring high above on many of these selections. The best example of this may be on the sweeping ballad "As the Wind Blows."

Born Masanori Takahashi, Japanese keyboard wizard Kitaro first came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of the band Far Out, which would quickly change its name to Far East Family Band, one of Japan's first and most legendary psychedelic groups. On his own, Kitaro produces pioneering New Age synthesizer music that is atmospheric and meditative, with simple melodies unfolding at unhurried tempos. His world-famous TV soundtrack SILK ROAD led to soundtracks for other films and even a Broadway show, in addition to numerous successful Kitaro albums proper.

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