East meets Mid-East on this fascinating collection of strings between Min Xiao-Fen and Rez Ababasi. While Abassi sticks to acoustic and electric guitar, Xiao-Fen not only switches between traditional instruments on the four stringed Chinese pipa, lute-like ruan, banjo/sanxian and zitherish Guqin, but she occasionally adds traditional Chinese operatic vocals that are either high pitched or guttural. The result is a mix of subtoned voices and strings on “Anicca” or a mystical growl on “Ichie” with grunts on “Fiath” and Mediterranean moods on “ Dukkha”.
The mix of pipa and guitar can range from a bluesy “Hatha” and bodhi tree of “Bija” to a jazzy “Karuna” with Abbasi mixing and matching moods to perfection. The conversations between the two are remarkable, betting folksy on “Champaka”, while when Xiao-Fen goes solo voice on “Lotus”, you think you’re entering a cathedral. Fusion at its riches root.