Luo ChaoYun & Erdem Helvacioglu Yaping Wang - Lab Of Polyphony

Review by Sandra Chambers Gallipeau

Lab Of Polyphony, the collaborative album by Luo ChaoYun, Erdem Helvacioglu, and Yaping Wang, is a mesmerizing journey through experimental soundscapes and intricate sonic textures. The album, released in 2019, features a unique blend of traditional Chinese instruments, electronic manipulations, and field recordings, creating a truly unique listening experience.

The album opens with "Polyphony I," a track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The piece features a series of layered sounds that weave in and out of each other, creating a complex and dynamic sonic landscape. The use of traditional Chinese instruments adds a haunting quality to the piece, while the electronic manipulations add an otherworldly feel.

The album continues with tracks like "Polyphony II" and "Polyphony III," which further explore the use of traditional Chinese instruments in an experimental context. The use of field recordings adds a sense of place to the album, with sounds like birdsong and water adding a natural element to the electronic manipulations.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Echoes of the Past." The piece features a haunting melody played on a traditional Chinese instrument, which is then looped and manipulated to create a mesmerizing and hypnotic sound. The use of electronic manipulations in this piece is particularly effective, adding a sense of depth and complexity to the melody.

Summary by Sandra Chambers Gallipeau

Lab Of Polyphony is a stunning album that showcases the talents of three unique musicians. The use of traditional Chinese instruments in an experimental context creates a truly unique listening experience, and the electronic manipulations and field recordings add a sense of depth and complexity to the album. Fans of experimental music and world music will find much to appreciate in this album.