Chiri – The Return Of Spring

Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week is The Return of Spring by Chiri.

Chiri are Australians Simon Barker and Scott Tinkler on drums and trumpet, and South Korean Bae Il Dong on vocals. The Return of Spring is the latest round of an exchange between Australian and Korean musicians that has been happening over the last few years, the most notable of which was the 2005 release Daorum which featured Simon Barker, Matt McMahon, Carl Dewhurst, Phil Slater, Kim Dong Won and Bae Il Dong.

On The Return of Spring Barker, Tinkler and Il Dong have created a fusion of cultures and genres as Il Dong sings in the traditional p’ansori style over Barker and Tinkler’s jazz improvisations.

The most striking feature of the album is the mighty vocals from Il Dong. The vocalist is said to have trained his voice by ‘singing against a waterfall’ and his power and mode are truly unique. When this is combined with the virtuosity and unpredictability of Barker and Tinkler, Chiri foray into the unknown soundscapes of genre.

The Return of Spring is an incredibly abstract release which requires patience and thought, and it is then one realises the great success the three musicians have achieved on the album as East meets West and old meets new.

The Return Of Spring is a release on Kimnara Records. For more information go to www.kimnara.com.au

Stay closely tuned to Eastside as we are giving away a copy of The Return of Spring to a listener everyday this week!