Japanese vibraphonist Masayoshi Fujita lives and works in Berlin. Like colleagues and friends such as and , he moves just as easily in the techno as in the neo-classical world. His electronic alter-ego is called El Fog and he regularly collaborates with producer . Book Of Life, however, is a neo-classical gem dominated by its repeating vibraphone patterns, complemented by light symphonic melodies.
Fujita examines his instrument by preparing it and sometimes using different sticks than traditional mallets. The distortions and strange resonances he creates with this give an extra dimension to the solemn music. Mist, ripples on the water, waterfalls and other rustic images of nature come to life on a dozen pieces as musical poetry. (MR)more
