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Following the success of her debut release, ORCHID, pipa-master Shao Rong again rejuvenates the image of this ancient Chinese instrument by creating a wholly traditional yet vibrant, contemporary recording. The pipa is a four-stringed lute that uses microtonal scales and has the ability to bend whole notes, giving the instrument the suppleness of the human voice. This is key to Rong’s sound. Her virtuoso playing can evoke laughter or tears with the sharp enunciation of a plucked note or the slow weep of a bending scale. On ORCHID II, Rong continues with her fusion of traditional instruments paired with western production and percussion, but this time, three of the album tracks are written and performed by her. The tender and evocative “Milky Way” features her vocals, which are sung in Chinese and have translations available in the liner notes. On this track, like the others, her voice is breathy and precious, much closer to the international stylings of Brigitte Bardot then the traditionally hard-edged vocals of Chinese folk music. “Desert Flowers” features Rong’s tremolo style of plucking over lush piano chords and subtle trip-hop drumming. ORCHID II represents an essential step forward in the evolution of this unique artist.
