Comfluence

by Richard Crandell / Masumi Timson

2nd collaboration piece following their Pacific Bridge album released in 2014. Richard Crandell playing the African instrument Mbria, Masumi Timson playing the Japanese traditional instrument Koto, featuring 2 skilled African musicians playing the mbira and guitar recorded in Oregon, US. The musicians and the instruments are all from different continents and backgrounds but they somehow all go well together leaving just a pleasant feeling. Richard, a multi-instrumentalist, has recorded 11 albums with guitar and mbira. His first mbira album, Mbira Magic, produced by John Zorn, was a Washington Post Top Ten of the Year in 2004. Masumi holds a Masters Degree in Koto music and is a regular guest musician of the world-renowned band Pink Martini. She has participated in the recording of several of their albums, and has performed with the band around the world. Chaka has been playing the Mbira since he was four. He has been performing throughout the world with Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited for over 20 years. Gilbert, a legendary guitarist, has been performing with Thomas Mapfumo since 2003 at festivals throughout the world.