Ancient Seeds by Aco Takenaka

 

Ancient Seeds

By

Aco Takenaka

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

What if someone could take all the songs from the ancient world throughout time, and keep them safe in a botanical garden of music, keeping them safe for the decades and centuries ahead, on Ancient Seeds by Aco Takenaka the artist has tried to do just that. The album has one of the most original concepts I have ever come across, as ancient chants from Yoruba and other African traditions, Native American, Tibetan, Indian, and Japanese songs are all arranged in a contemporary musical soundscape, and caters for everyone’s palate, on its forward thinking journey.

There are 11 tracks on this brilliantly arranged, composed and recorded album, ranging from one of the most harmonic starts ever in Ame Kuni, whilst my knowledge of Japanese is quite limited, I believe translated it means rain country or land of rain, the repeating chant here is mesmeric, and the use of pause within the piece brilliantly executed.

The listener can find music from the great Native American nation The Lakota in the piece Wani Wachi Elo, which I believe is a Lakota Peyote Healing Song, boy does the planet need this right now, or the energy raising O Mama Bakudala, Xhosa women sing this song at the beginning of gatherings or celebrations as an invocation to the spirits of their  matriarchal ancestors. The words translate literally as “The mothers from way back used to pray."

Next we fall into one of the most beautiful of all pieces in my view called Ramadasa, The Ra Ma Da Sa mantra is often used in healing practices, specifically in Kundalini yoga, I remember a version of this a few years ago by Snatum Kaur way back around 2010, the gentle acoustic guitar and layered vocals make this track for me one of the most cathartic from the album.

Lokah would be one of my wife’s favourite tracks from the release, Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit mantra that’s translation reads; “I wish peace and happiness to all beings. May my actions and behaviour contribute to others in a way that brings peace and happiness, and reminds me of the Reiki Precepts of, Just For Today, Do not Anger, Do not worry, Be Humble, Be Honest in your Work, Be Compassionate to Yourself and Others, this is also one of the finest examples of globally fused music I have heard for decades.

The conclusion to the album is the most powerful of all and called Tohokami Emitame, from my research I believe it is an ancient Japanese Shinto mantra believed to invoke divine protection, harmony, and spiritual connection, the incredible vibration from this track alone makes it a stand out track, and the powerful vocals remind me of Miriam Stockly with AO Music back in the day.

Ancient Seeds by Aco Takenaka has to be one of the most original albums of the year thus far, probably for many a year, and with this being said, I highly recommend this release for all who wish to immerse themselves in a myriad of musical chants and cultures, showing it’s not just our planet that requires our respect and love, it is the world of tone, timbre and music and art as well, leaving me in no doubt that Ancient Seeds by Aco Takenaka will be thoroughly embraced by all who listen to it, and a huge chart hit and possibly more will be seen on the horizon of hope for the artist.