Dust and Sand 2005

With musical experience ranging from centuries-old Nagauta to jazz, rock and electronic glitch, the On Ensemble has crafted a repertoire of ground-breaking taiko music. "Dust and Sand", On Ensemble's first studio-recorded album, is a perfect example of the group's eclectic sound. Japanese flute, Tuvan throat-singing, koto, turntable and a host of percussion instruments accent and contrast the taiko (Japanese drum). The album was recorded over a one-year span in the group's small studio and this process imbued its own character on the group's music. Multi-track layers of percussion and the use of found-sound and electronically manipulated samples characterize this album as the ensemble further explores the musical possibilities of this ancient drum.