Today marks the release date of flutist Hanz Araki’s new record titled Foreign Shore, on Little Sea Records. Recorded at Secret Society in Portland Oregon, and produced by Hanz himself, Foreign Shore is perhaps the most mature and satisfying of his many albums. (My previous review is here.) Some of Portland’s finest trad players support him here, notably Cary Novotny on guitar, with Colleen Raney, Lisa Ornstein, and Eddie Parente, among others.

Fans of modern pure-drop traditional Irish music in the vein of Lunasa or Altan will love this record. Every tune or song found here sounds as smooth as a baby’s behind (without the odor). Hanz Araki has a voice like summertime, and his playing on flute and whistle is absolutely flawless. His family heritage may play a role: his background is part Irish and part Japanese. In fact he comes from a direct line of several generations of shakuhachi flute players, and he is trained in the tradition. No wonder that when we listen, this album sounds natural and true, like it was meant to be.

LISTEN: Crockery Ware / The Sligo Reel

LISTEN: The Herring Song / The Boats of Killaloe