Since its early days in Ancient China, tea – the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water – has been valued for its potential for invigoration, medicinal use, and meditation. Its link to the Taoist and Buddhist contemplative traditions is perhaps best captured by the phrase “Zen and tea – one flavour”.
Each piece on this album was created as a multi-track improvisation during a long session with multiple infusions of one kind of tea. Palimpsests; meditations; compositions in layers of time. They are homages, in a way, but also invitations – to sit, to brew a pot of tea, and to listen.
1. Eight-Year Liu Bao – 4. 1. 2021 05:58
2. Shui Xien Wuyi Oolong – 17. 12. 2020 06:36
3. Qilan Wuyi Oolong – 26. 12. 2020 05:02
4. Millenium Liu Bao – 18. 12. 2020 05:18
5. Lang He Shu Pu-erh – 30. 12. 2020 06:23
6. Mengku Gushu Sheng Pu-erh – 20. 12. 2020 04:02
7. Golden Tippy King Shu Pu-erh – 3. 1. 2021 08:24
8. Ali Shan Oolong – 17. 12. 2020 06:38
Mastering: Ladislav Železný (ldn.ferrum.name)
Music, recording, mixing: Ian Mikyska (www.ianmikyska.com)
Instruments: baritone electric guitar (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8) | bass clarinet (2, 5, 7, 8) | classical guitar (3, 4) | guqin (1, 5) | viola da gamba (1, 4) | bass recorder (5, 6) | great bass recorder (7) | banjo with ebow (7)
