World-Jazz-New Age-Instrumental Review & Interview With Ron Korb- Global Canvas

Release Date:  February 28, 2025

Label: Humbledragon

Website

Ron Korb's latest recording, Global Canvas, is a musical journey worldwide. His instrumental compositions, ranging from up to 4:59 to as short as 46 seconds, paint a diverse and vibrant 'canvas' of sound and colors, all guided by his extraordinary flute playing.

 

The recording's information promised a journey through sounds of Asia, Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian samba, and Bossa Nova, all immersed in jazz and world music textures across the eighteen tracks. This promise was more than fulfilled, as the album proved to be an absorbing and satisfying listen, engaging the listener from start to finish.

 

Joining Ron on this multicolored musical project are a group of esteemed musicians. These include Latin Grammy-winning Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Hilario Durán, known for his innovative compositions and virtuosic playing, percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar, whose work with Manteca and Loreena McKennitt has earned him a reputation as a master of rhythm, and guitarist Bill Bridges, whose collaborations with Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, and Peggy Lee have solidified his place in the jazz world. Also contributing are bassist Steve Lucas, known for his work with Bruce Cockburn and Levon Helm, George Koller, a versatile bassist who has worked with Holly Cole, Peter Gabriel, Phil Woods, and Dizzy Gillespie, and master tabla player Muthu Kumar, a student of Zakir Hussain and former member of Alice Coltrane's band.

 

"Havana Sun" immediately captivates with its Latin essence of percussion, setting the stage for the other instruments to weave their way over that strong foundation. Ron's flute adds an airy and joyful sound, while the piano, bass, and nonstop percussive elements drive the piece from start to finish. The rhythms and beats are extraordinary and irresistible, with the flute adding a jazz overtone to the mix and the piano taking flight. It's a vibrant, colorful, and moving piece that embodies world music's essence.

 

"Kindness" moves on to other lands in the Far East with its definitive textures of the Chinese erhu player Xiaoqui Lin. The track is picturesque, capturing the atmosphere and tradition of millennia gone by. There are also the delicate strings of a harp that I heard to accentuate the unique beauty of the erhu. The mixture is stunning and memorable.

 

"Isla Grande" provides a magnificent piano to help create that Latin atmosphere. The piano blends with the percussion elements and Ron's flute, which flits in and out like a beautiful bird in full flight. I am reminded of some of the music of Flora Purim, and I might add, most fondly. The music is sublime and relaxes you from head to toe.

 

Then, to take things in an entirely different direction (an ongoing feature of this recording), "Angkor Wat" features the Cambodian Pie Pook woodwind instrument. The sounds emanating from that flute are mystical. Some folks may also consider it eerie, as it has many atmospheres. Either way, you will interpret what you hear, as it immediately pulls you in with a mesmerizing effect.

 

These are four examples of how diverse musical styles, genres, and cultures can make a listen multicolored and eclectic. The merging of the world musically does have its advantages. I appreciate how Ron Korb brilliantly incorporates that inspiration into his compositions using the flute as the lead instrument. Taking a non-traditional lead instrument and mixing so many genres takes tremendous talent and skill; Ron does so consistently from start to finish.

 

All good music has a power and strength, and all these tracks have that one factor of persuasion and force upon you that will resonate long after the last note is played, making Global Canvas one of the year's most highly regarded world music releases of 2025.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Reviews Founder

June 4, 2025

TRACK LIST: 

1. Dream of the King Prelude 0:46 

2. Dream of the King (cinematic flavour Asian flutes, cello & harp) 3:29 

3. Desire Prelude (feat Muthu Kumar tabla) 0:57 

4. Desire (feat Muthu Kumar tabla & Japanese koto) 4:59 

5. Havana Sun (feat Latin Grammy Winner pianist Hilario Duran) 4:41 

6. La La Formosa (Brazilian Samba) 4:48 

7. La La Formosa Postlude (percussion by Rick Lazar - Samba Squad) 1:26 

8. Kindness (feat erhu Chinese player Xiaoqui Lin) 4:10 

9. Isla Grande (feat Latin Grammy Winner pianist Hilario Duran) 4:16 

10. Bossa Guitar Prelude (acoustic Brazilian guitar) 0:51 

11. Bass Flute Bossa (Brazilian Bossa Nova) 3:24 

12. Blue Heron (jazz crossover with piano, flute, violin, cello) 4:37 

13. Azure Nights (Latin mid tempo) 4:12 

14. Angkor Wat (featuring Cambodian Pie Pook woodwind instrument) 4:29 

15. Hinamatsuri (featuring Japanese bamboo flute, koto & shamisen) 4:41 

16. Peace Flute (featuring bass flute) 3:31 

17. Three Kingdoms Prelude (Asian flutes & Korean percussion) 0:45 

18. Three Kingdoms (featuring erhu & Korean percussion) 3:37 

“Global Canvas” by Ron Korb | Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff

What do you get when you have 19 renowned musicians from all over the world merge their talents together for one big, beautiful album? You get a “Global Canvas,” of course. 

“Global Canvas,” Ron Korb’s 30th album release, offers a vibrant and innovative exploration of global musical traditions across 18 tracks. Here, we have a brilliant weaving together of the rich sounds of Asia with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian samba, Bossa Nova, jazz and world music.

This thoroughly engaging album showcases intricate, elaborate arrangements and all acoustic performances – with no AI, no pitch correction, and no autotuning – by world-class musicians from around the world. The result is an incredibly dynamic fusion of jazz spontaneity, classical precision, and global rhythmic sophistication.

Named one of the "Ten Best Flute Players in the World,” Japanese-Canadian flutist Ron Korb, a two-time Grammy® Award nominee, a celebrated musician, composer, and producer is legendary for his extraordinary virtuosity and wide-ranging musical influences. Ron’s music ranges from the fiery to the sublime, as well as to the intimate and cinematic. Among the 18 compositions is the track "Isla Grande,“ which won "Best Instrumental Composition“ at the USA Songwriting Competition.

A fascinating story also weaves in and out of this masterpiece of musical artwork. The original idea for this project is from the Korean myth about a magical bamboo flute called “Manpasikjeok,” which inspires the beginning, middle, and end of this album.

Joining Ron on this exceptional album is a host of first-rate musical talent, such as Latin Grammy® winner, Afro-Cuban pianist Hilario Durán, bassist Steve Lucas, George Koller, percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar, guitarist Bill Bridges, Brazilian jazz guitarist André Valério, cellist Margaret Maria, Celtic harpist Sharlene Wallace, master tabla player Muthu Kumar, and erhu player Xiaoqiu Lin.  The underlying brush strokes for this canvas include Asian flutes and stringed instruments, ambient, multi-faceted textures, along with fascinating world rhythms.  All 18 tracks are original and are composed and produced by Ron Korb.

I like that the album opens with a 49-second prelude, which sets the stage for all that comes next. We feel ourselves nicely drawn in with its haunting flute and light drumming, beckoning us enticingly to explore further. Next, we are led to the tranquil, delightfully melodic and mesmerizing, “Dream Of The King.”

“Desire Prelude” is an enchanting 1-minute prelude, again with ethereal flute and light drumming. The composition, “Desire,” has a beautiful and sultry flute melody, with strings and percussion adding texture, depth, and a unique rich tapestry of sound.  This is very uplifting and captivating on so many levels.

While we can’t address every track on this outstanding album, here are some other highlights: “Havana Sun” is so fun and filled with the joy that encompasses that “vacation vibe,” where one can just escape from all that ails them. I love the keyboards here in particular. Ditto for “La La Formosa,” which can translate to “the beautiful island.” We just feel transported.  I must mention that this track has a “postlude,” which I find fascinating and very effective in terms of artistic expression.

After all this fun, we encounter the gentle and flowing “Kindness.” This is very nicely done with many expansive layers and textures.  I can completely understand why “Isla Grande” won the big songwriting competition award that it did. This is thoroughly engaging with many twists and turns.

“Bossa Prelude” is 49 seconds of enticing guitar seducing us more than effectively into “Bass Flute Bossa.” This is a “must have” for Bossa Nova lovers everywhere. Just outstanding.

Conjuring up that “feel good” vibe, “Azure Nights” gives us another great escape. Violin and cello, among other interesting instrumentation add to the allure.  And “Peace” is just that in a flute solo by Ron. Love it.

This breathtaking album winds up with the sinuous “Three Kingdoms,” with flute, piano, violin, cello, and much more leaving us with just the right amount of breathlessness and awe, knowing we have just partaken of something extremely special. Get the whole thing! In my opinion, it’s a Picasso.  Bravo!

Get it here or your favorite digital service: https://ronkorb.com/store

Review by Dyan Garris, New Age Notes May 31, 2025