This album encompasses a diversity of musical skills and directions. Multi-instrumentalist/composers Michael Atherton and Tony Wheeler join with shakuhachi-master and composer Jim Franklin and technologist/composer Jon Drummond to blend Western and Asian acoustic instruments (resophonic guitar, frame drum, percussion, clarinet, saxophone, guqin, ruan, shakuhachi, kulintang) with synthesiser and real-time electronic manipulation. Most of the tracks were created fairly traditionally; the instruments were performed and recorded in multi-tracked layers, in some cases with the simultaneous addition of real-time electronic processing (especially of the shakuhachi). Subsequently, they were mixed and edited. Additionally, several textures based on improvised acoustic performances, manipulated electronically in real-time, was recorded. A collage of these textures was edited to create the extended final piece of the album. Despite the use of electronics, a focal point for all the pieces was an affinity with images of natural landscapes and materials; this is reflected in the titles of the album and of the individual pieces. The recordings were made during 2015 in the studios of the University of Technology Sydney, and the musicians gratefully acknowledge the support of that university in realising this album.

Michael Atherton is a multi-instrumentalist whose creative output includes composition, screen music, performance and artistic direction in many genres and styles. He is an educator and author whose research expertise includes early music and Australian-Pacific intercultural practices. His recordings span music of ancient Egypt and Greece, medieval and renaissance music, and electroacoustic improvisation. www.michaelatherton.net

Jon Drummond is a sound artist, composer, software designer, programmer, researcher and educator at the University of Newcastle, NSW. www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/jon-drummond

Jim Franklin is an Australian-born composer, master performer and teacher of the shakuhachi (shihan), and sound engineer. Despite spending many years in Europe, he has collaborated on numerous projects with the Australian-based musicians on this album. A focus of his compositional work lies in the interaction of the shakuhachi with live-electronics. www.bambooheart.com

Tony Wheeler is a performer and composer. He studied at the Queensland Conservatorium, Shanghai Conservatory and University of Hong Kong. He frequently performs on clarinet, saxophone, guqin and ruan in traditional, contemporary and improvisatory contexts, has played in major orchestras in Australia and relishes opportunities to collaborate with musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/artist/wheeler-tony

Hiroko Sugino is a Japanese musician and artist, who has spent long periods living in France and Germany. In Paris she worked in a chocolate shop to support her creative activities. She commenced drawing during quiet periods in the shop, and gradually developed her illustration style.