Little Universe

Only one year after their acclaimed 2020 release Songs Beyond Words, Taiwan-based group A Moving Sound return with another eclectic release of pan-Asian influenced music. Led by vocalist Mia Hsieh and multi-instrumentalist Scott Prairie, plus various guests on instruments ranging from the Chinese erhu to Brazilian percussion, this new album continues to explore various folk traditions from Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. A song like ‘Crossing Usuli’ sounds like it could be from a group of Mongolian cowboys, but with a touch of Americana.

As on their previous album, it is the more Chinese/Taiwanese derived tunes that really stand out. Hsieh is a stunning vocalist, effortlessly switching reciting softly to loud, wordless chants, best heard in duet with the erhu and backing from electric guitar and bass on ‘The Crying Song’. The only misstep is the Dave Matthews-sounding ‘City Adventure’, partially sung in English but which doesn’t really work as ‘pop’. Otherwise another fine release from a band I am sure is excellent live, and more proof of a vibrant music scene in Taiwan.