White Lotus is multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer Min Xiao-Fen’s original soundtrack to “The Goddess”, a 1934 silent film from China’s cinematic golden age starring Ruan Lingyu, in one of her final roles, and directed by Wu Yonggang. Best known for her genre-breaking performances on the four-string pipa, Min has collaborated with artists like Randy Weston, Jane Ira Bloom, John Zorn, and Bjork.
White Lotus also features the work of acclaimed guitarist and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow recipient Rez Abbasi, co-producer and multi-Grammy winning recording engineer/producer Jim Anderson and Grammy-nominated immersive sound producer Ulrike Schwarz.
In White Lotus, Min collaborates with Rez Abbasi. The resulting combination of Pipa, Guqin, Ruan, and Sanxian – all plucked instruments – with acoustic and electric guitars produces a limitless range of juxtaposition: of similarity and imitation; of dialogue and contradiction.
The ethnomusicologist Marc Perlman once remarked that “musical borders can be crossed, but the value of crossing them depends on the degree to which you respect them.” Some hybrids are slapdash.
The intermingling of styles in White Lotus is complete and comprehensive.
Min Xiao-Fen – Pipa, Sanxian, Guqin, Ruan and Voice
Rez Abbasi – Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar
The DSD & DXD Editions of White Lotus are Exclusively Available at NativeDSD Music
The booklet is not available on this album page, but it is included in the purchase.
Min Xiao Fen’s album was featured nationally in the US on NPR during the weekend following its release: The Traditional Chinese Pipa Meets Guitar In Min Xiao-Fens White Lotus
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 00:45:30
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | AANYOiM2120D |
| Qualities | DSD 512 fs, DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
| Genres | |
| Analog to Digital Converter | Horus, Merging Technologies |
| Audio Cables | AccuSound |
| Mastering Engineer | Ulrike Schwarz |
| Microphone Preamplifiers | The John Hardy Company |
| Microphones | Sennheiser |
| Instruments | |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Power Cables | MusicCord |
| Producers | Min Xiao-Fen & Jim Anderson |
| Recording Location | The Bridge Studio in Brooklyn, New York on March 7, 2020 |
| Release Date | June 23, 2021 |
Press reviews
JP’s Music Blog
The pipa is one of the key instruments in Chinese music, with its origins tracing back over 2,000 years. One of the masters of the pipa instrument is Min Xiao-Fen, who is preparing the release of her new album “White Lotus” on June 25, 2021. She is joined on the album by guitarist Rez Abassi. It is the featured original score for the 1934 Chinese silent film “The Goddess.”
The twelve-track album slowly re-introduces you to Min and the sounds of the pipa in the gentle picking of the opening track “Anicca.” The speed that Min can strum the pipa is present in the next song “Bija,” as her performance is supports by the subtle hint of acoustic guitar.
Next, its Rez’s turn to take the lead with the wonderful guitar work in “Champaka.” The two experiment by stepping beyond the boundaries of the normal use of their instruments with the many different sounds of “Emaho.”
The pipa is once again featured on the magical sounding “Gassho,” before Min Xiao-Fen wraps up the album with the blues of “Hatha,” along with the energetic strumming of “Karuna” and the quiet, atmospheric touch of “Lotus.”
1 review for White Lotus
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This is a fantastic album…! It brings you to another state of mind with its addictive jazzy and ethereal music. The sound quality is outstanding as well. Highly recommended.
Peter Veth (verified owner) –