Many flowers are growing
Happiness is under the control of beauty
No one, nothing is here to stay
They all flow away
And those that are lost become your shadow
Broken hearts turn into fallen leaves
Touching the real thing in unquiet times
Love blows a cool breeze
in my mind
A warmth like a morning light
For Kankyo Records inaugural incense collection, Jesus Weekend's Seira Nishigami crafted three new tracks inspired by the morning incense, ‘Murmurs’. For Nishigami, the scent conjured up images of the sun, sunrise and the morning glow. 'Murmurs’ is a blend of nine essential oils with mainly citrus, herb and woody scents. I found the top notes of Lime, Bergamot, Pine needles and Eucalyptus brilliant and welcoming, while Cedarwood felt grounding and Peppermint offered a touch of sweetness. Together, the scent created an atmosphere that awakened the most stagnant of bodies. 'Murmurs’ easily transported me into the airiness of Nishigami's sonic vibrations. The artist created these morning songs from dawn, just before the sun rises, to just before noon, conveying in the music, the feeling of realizations and thoughts 'flying around' as we wake.
There is a fogginess that I feel waking up in the middle of a dark winter morning. After a taxing year rushing to return to a level of normalcy, the new year felt sluggish for me. Where I live, at the North Western edge of Lake Ontario, the thick January skies are gray, the cold wind is piercing and crackled sheets of ice form around the frozen lake quietly. My mind drifted in the overcast mist, longing for a soft glow. My body, barely engaged, floated along silently. I sought out new practices to wake my sleepy spirit.
The first track, ‘Awakening Tones’, begins with a ritual-like aura. Lengthy wave-like drone washed over me, with quiet transitions that lent itself as the perfect backdrop for a meditative practice of reflection. I met myself in the suspension and allowed my body and mind to sync in the generous expanse. In 'Solar Waltz', Nishigami successfully summoned the intensity of a sunrise, with immediate energy asserted on the piano. As the magic flowed through, the radiant melody and energizing scent activated even the smallest of molecules. The movement of the song swung like a powerful pendulum, prompting the body to move forth with intentions. In the final track, 'Murmurs’, Nishigami led us with her half-sedated voice, then through an array of layered textures. The verberated sounds coaxed us into the wilderness of the day.
In the spiritual practice of sound and scent, I found ‘Murmurs’ offered a new ritual for emergence. It enveloped me with a holistic connection to my senses. The start of the new year often feels dreary and slow. But it is in this limbo state, I allow myself the time and space to refocus, recalling my dreams and desires and reflecting on my deepest and truest values. As it always does, the year sweeps into its uninterrupted cycle without a blink. As I slowly rise into this reality, I let myself move into a rhythm that resonates with my newly cast intentions. [Eunice Luk]
credits
released March 17, 2023
Recorded at Forest House
Mixed by Seira Nishigami, Riku Sawada, Ayumu Musha
Mastered by Ayumu Musha
Track 1 written by Seira Nishigami & Riku Sawada
Track 2,3 written by Seira Nishigami
Additional musicians: HAPPY
Awakening tones : Riku Sawada (Synth, Flute) Sota Hayashida (Cymbal, Bar Chimes, Bass Drum) Syuhei Umehara (Bass)
Solar Waltz : Riku Sawada (Synth, Rhodes) Sota Hayashida (Elephant Bell, Cymbal) Alec Polonsky (Guitar)
Murmurs : Sota Hayashida (Percussion) Shohei Uehara (Guitar) Riku Sawada (Synth)
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