Various - Moss

Seven tracks here from Canada, Japan and Berlin based artists. The idea is to help the people of Sendai relax and sleep with the aid of music. In troubled times music can be a powerful healer and that is very much evident from the quiet power of these tracks. Things begin with some lovely piano work from Takeo Toyama who contributes 'Amethyst'. A sweet and playful stripped back track with repeated and hushed ivory phrases. Gently melodic and very easy on the ears. "And Patterns' is a Nils Frahm piece which as expected deploys the piano along with some static and distant restrained electronics. Nils is very good at what he does and this track is no exception, creating warm and reflective moods. Esmerine offers some spacious music box like chimes and super gorgeous violin strings on 'Sand And Clouds'. Takumi Uesaka presents 'Pray' which has tender acoustic guitar and very sweet Japanese language vocals. This has a very optimistic yet melancholy feel. Greg Haines' 'Two Rotations' has an engaging naive simplicity to it. Treated piano keys are utilized to conjure up distant childhood memories. I'm given the mental image of a dolls house coming to life after the sun has set. 'Missing People' is Peter Broderick's offering and again as expected it's a moving and very evocative piece of modern classical music. It's a extremely powerful piece that makes me imagine the sun rising once again after some mass destruction, the glory of seeing a new day after you thought it was the end. Seigen Tokuzawa closes the album with 'tsugi hug e' which is comprised of piano, strings and a light dusting of delicate glockenspiel hits. What's particularly good about the album is that it flows really well. Even though it's the work of seven artists it manages to retain a narrative throughout which concludes in Tokuzawa's dramatic playing which is a peak of brief intensity before things slowly retreat. A great third release from this very promising label.