Amazingly BIG sound from five people

Welcome to ‘Dodd’s DSD Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly.

The Pacific Quintet, players from all over the world, make a joyful noise, presenting music from their home countries of Japan, Honduras, South Korea, Germany and Ukraine/Turkey. No, it doesn’t sound like world music as much as it seems like…just music. In fact, as a salute to Leonard Bernstein the last three pieces are arrangements of songs from West Side Story!

Listen to the first of a medley of Japanese folk songs, Hanaichimonme (track 12). It starts out like an Irish Jig, and then develops a Bum pa da da rhythm that reminds me of some good ol’ Italian songs. It’s great!

But I am a sucker for those West Side Story tunes— Maria (track 22) is a sheer delight.

Surprising music from five excellent players!