Ritual Diamonds

Acclaimed electric bassist Christopher Hale is one of Australia’s most virtuosic and respected improvising musicians. Ten years after releasing his critically-acclaimed album Sylvan Coda, Hale is back with his latest recording, Ritual Diamonds — a cross-cultural collaborative work featuring percussionist/composer Minyoung Woo (on changgo, a Korean double-headed drum) from Seoul.

Inspired by the rhythm system called hohup, a method at the heart of Korean drumming’s power and flow, Hale has assimilated the processes of this tradition into his own unique vision for improvisation with this explosive new creative work. Over 10 years, Hale and Woo have developed a unique musical language together, in which Korean rhythmic forms are recast with the dramatic flourishes of flamenco; Hale’s irresistible melodies adorn knotty, complex Korean-inspired timelines. In the project’s most unique innovation, Woo’s shamanic drumming language is reassembled using Australian improvising rhythmic codes.

This music is for listeners with a love of rhythm, a curiosity about the possibilities of jazz processes creating brand new musical styles, and an interest in the worldwide possibility of collaboration, friendship and improvisation. Joining Hale and Woo are a true super-band of Australian jazz luminaries: long-time collaborators Jamie Oehlers (tenor saxophone), Andrea Keller (Rhodes), Theo Carbo (guitars) and Simon Barker (drums).