Asian Fusion Dance Program

 

 

100% Organic Loop-Free Dance Music with Asian Flavors

 

Shown: Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Bui Huu Nhut (Vietnamese dan bao),
Salah Takesh (Arabic percussion), Zhao Hui ( gu zheng) and Doug McKeehan (keyboards)

Asian Fusion

Named for the ensemble's sixth recording, Ancient Future’s Asian Fusion dance mix program features Asian master musicians such as Bui Huu Nhut (dan bau, a Vietnamese instrument with one string), Zhao Hui (gu zheng, the Chinese ancestor of the Japanese koto), or Shenshen Zhang (pipa, a Chinese lute) with a monster rhythm section including Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Doug McKeehan (keyboards), and a master percussionist such as Salaheddin Takesh (Arabic percussion) or Abbos Kosimov (Uzbek percussion) playing 100% organic loop-free grooves.

This ensemble is featured on two Putumayo World Music samplers, Asian Lounge (PUT 244-2) and Music from the Tea Lands (PUT 180-2), and of course on Asian Fusion (Narada ND-63023).

"Ethnomusicologists and musical explorers have long been fascinated by the sounds of Indonesian gamelan, Indian classical music, Japanese folk, and other intriguing styles of Asian music. In the past 10 years, DJs and electronica artists around the world have been remixing Indian and East Asian songs to create trendy music with an exotic, otherworldly flavor. In London, an 'Asian Underground' movement began among young musicians in the Indian and Pakistani immigrant community. Formed in the late 1970s, Ancient Future coined the term 'world fusion music' to describe its use of Indian, African, Balinese, and other musical traditions within a contemporary framework." – Putumayo World Music, liner notes, Asian Lounge (PUT 244-2).

In contrast to a prevailing trend in the "Asian Underground" movement, Ancient Future's music features 100% organic loop-free music. No drum machines, loops, or programmed beats are used. The theory is that many people spend all day long doing tasks to the clock of the computer. Why should people then spend their free time dancing to the computer clock as well?

Venues: Outdoor Festivals, Concert Series, Concert Halls, Clubs, Universities, Raves
Traditions: Asian Fusion, Asian Jazz, Asian Underground, World Jazz, World Fusion
Moods: Animated, Bright, Energetic, Exciting, Exotic, Exuberant, Festive, Fiery, Passionate, Powerful, Pulsing, Rousing, Spicy, Thrilling, Uplifting
Hashtags: #AsianFusion, #AsianJazz, #Asian Underground, #WorldJazz, #WorldFusion, #DeadHeadsCanDance

Video from Ancient Future's Appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC

Shown performing on the Rachel Maddow Show: Matthew Montfort on Godin Glissentar (11 string fretless guitar), and Bui Huu Nhut on dan bau. This clip can also be viewed on nbcnews.com.

Featured Tracks

>YTmusic (Asian Dance repertoire). Studio recordings of the repertoire played by this band variation of Ancient Future.

Ja Nam (Matthew Montfort 3:53). iTunes. >YTmusic. "Ja Nam" is a reggae version of the Vietnamese folk standard "Ly Chim Quyen" (Song of the Nightingale). The song features the musician Bui Huu Nhut playing the dan bau, a unique instrument of Vietnamese origin in which a flexible rod attached to a resonating gourd is bent to change the pitch of a single string. Montfort describes it as the Vietnamese equivalent of an electric guitar's pitch-bending whammy bar.From Asian Fusion (Narada Equinox ND-63023) CD-$24.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. Also available on Asian Lounge (PUT 244-2).

Gamarock (Matthew Montfort. 6:25). iTunes. >YTmusic. Inspired on a study trip to Bali by the gamelan (percussion orchestra) music that fills the night air, and the Balinese love affair with a form of music known as Rock and Roll . What to you get when you cross gamelan with rock? You guessed it...Gamarock. The song includes a kotèkan (Balinese interlocking rhythm) from the Gamelan Anklung repertoire. Add CD to Cart. Buy CD Now.

Mezgoof (Ian Dogole. 6:20). iTunes. >YTmusic. Based on Qawwali, a Sufi devotional form of music popular in Pakistan and India. From Asian Fusion (Narada Equinox ND-63023) CD-$24.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.

Recordings Featuring Ancient Future's Asian Fusion Dance Ensemble

Related Programs

Asian Cultures: Showcases masters of traditional Asian music such as Bui Huu Nhut (Vietnamese monochord) and Zhao Hui (Chinese zither). Featured on the top selling Asian Fusion by Ancient Future, two Putumayo samplers, and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.

Asian Jazz: Ancient Future’s Asian jazz program includes Chi Music (Chinese jazz) by Liu Qi-Chao, composer and virtuoso performer on Chinese winds.

Chinese Classical: Features Zhao Hui (gu zheng, ancestor of the koto) and Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar).

Contact Info

Tel: 415-459-1892. info@ancient-future.com

Booking: Additional booking information, or use the contact information above.
Catalog: Listen to the CDs and use the secure online shopping cart system to purchase music.
Concerts: Current list of shows online.
Guest Book: Subscribe to the Ancient Future e-mail newsletter. Contests for prizes such as concert tickets each issue.