GONGTOPIA TAIRAKU by Michael Bettine / Brian Ritchie
These improvisations are a meeting of minds and instruments. Improvising percussionist, Michael Bettine, plays a wide array of gongs, bells, and metal percussion. Brian Ritchie plays a variety of Shakuhachi, the Japanese bamboo flute. These two masters of their craft create music that is serene and meditative, yet retains a sense of exploration and adventure.
MICHAEL BETTINE specializes in solo and improvised percussion, and has a fondness for all types of vibrating metal. He works under the name, GONGTOPIA, presenting both solo concerts, and meditation sessions, using a wide variety of gongs, singing bowls, bells, and percussion.
BRIAN RITCHIE studied shakuhachi for seven years in New York City with James Nyoraku Schlefer. Ritchie achieved the rank of Jun Shihan (teaching license) in March of 2003. Along with the license he received the professional name “Tairaku” which means “Big Music”. He is also the bassist for American folk punk band, Violent Femmes; and Australian surf band, The Break.
Tracklist
| 1. | Long Night, Winter Stars | 7:01 |
| 2. | Reflecting Pool | 4:54 |
| 3. | Dralas | 2:42 |
| 4. | Choshi | 6:37 |
| 5. | Swirling | 4:59 |
| 6. | Thai Pavillion | 5:13 |
| 7. | Kyorei | 10:24 |
Credits
Michael Bettine - Gongs, Singing Bowls, Bells, Bell Plates, Wood Block
Brian Ritchie - Shakuhachi Flutes
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Neurodivergent percussionist specializing in resonating metals. He brings his interests in Alchemy & Hermeticism into his work, and manipulate the realms of time & space.