SAIYUKI

Newest NGUYÊN LÊ album is based on Chinese novel written in the XVI th century by Wu Cheng'en. SAIYUKI is the Japanese name for the « Journey to the West ». So, as you can expect, there is world fusion, but quite unusual. Two supporting musicians both are virtuosos of their very specific instruments (national Japanese and South-Eastern Asia percussions and strings, plus vocals).

Very first song is traditional very acoustic Japanese song, with Nguen electric guitar added. Second one is a bit more folk-jazzy. Combination of authentic SE Asian folk music, very acoustic and melodic, but played in more extra-high technique manner, with some East- West sounding electric guitar, built very strange, beautiful and magic sounds there.

Nguen guitar has unique sound, kind of melted Hendrix energy and eastern melodic scheme."Mayur" is more world-rock fusion, with long electric guitar line."Sangam", next song, continues with more modern sound, with faster tempo and more usual fusion structure and sound. Eastern influences are all the time somewhere very near, but not main accent there.

"Azur" is melancholic ballade with almost Western melodies and musical structure, but played with exotic Eastern instruments. Imagine Al Di Meola work with New Sinfonia, but if all musicians will be played with Eastern musical instruments.

"Hen Ho" is return back to traditional Asian folk, filled with electric guitar sound."Nanae Goromo " is another guitar based ballade with Mieko Miyazaki lyrical singing. "Ila", the last album's song, is slow string melody, with almost blues structure ( Asian blues?).

All the album is excellent piece of acoustic, beautiful, exotic and magical music, full of tasteful improvisations and perfectly played. Really, very unusual and pleasant work, very recommended!

For sure 4,5!