Global Canvas is the 30th album by world flutist/composer/producer Ron Korb (plus appearances on many other artists' albums). I have to admit that although I've reviewed a number of albums that Ron has played on, this is my first full album of his music - and I am BLOWN AWAY!!! The Japanese/Canadian flutist is known for his extraordinary virtuosity as well as the wide-ranging musical influences he's gathered from a lifetime of exploration. Ron has collected at least 260 flutes from all over the world and plays a variety of them on this album. A very impressive group of international instrumentalists added their artistry on piano, strings, harp, bass, percussion and drums, ukulele, guitar, keyboards and a variety of world instruments. Using a broad range of music styles that include Pan-Asian, jazz, and Latin, the eighteen original tracks tell a fascinating story based on a Korean myth about a magical bamboo flute called Manpasikjeok. Again, I'm beyond impressed with this album. Even the sound quality of the recording is incredible!

Global Canvas begins with "Dream of the King Prelude" and "Dream of the King," an intriguing start! "Desire Prelude" is a short, mysterious duet for bass flute and tabla. Heartfelt and slightly mysterious, "Desire" is one of my favorite tracks. Tabla, koto, guitar, piano and bass create a gentle swaying rhythm while the flute soars - love it! The bright and rhythmic "Havana Sun" goes in a very different direction, expressing the joy of making music as well as experiencing the warmth of tropical sunshine. Hilario Durán's piano is amazing in this one! "Kindness" is tenderness and compassion set to music and expressed with a variety of instruments that include bawu, flutes, erhu, cello, pedal harp, janggu and buk - another favorite! The upbeat "Isla Grande," winner of the Best Instrumental Composition at the USA Songwriting Competition, overflows with musical sunshine! "Bass Flute Bossa" is a trio for bass flute (Korb), guitar (André Valério), rebolo and pandeiro (Rick Shadrach Lazar) that suggests images of gently-swaying palm trees and gentle ocean breezes. The warm and inviting "Azure Nights" includes flute, piano, accordion, guitars, bass, drums and percussion - carefree fun set to a Latin jazz rhythm! "Angkor Wat" refers to a Hindu-Buddhist temple in Cambodia - the largest religious monument in the world. One of the few solo pieces on the album, Ron plays the Pie Pook, a traditional bamboo woodwind instrument made especially for him. The distinctive sound of this instrument is very haunting on this piece, giving it an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere that seems to reflect on the temple's nine-century history. "Hinamatsuri" has a much more Japanese flavor both in the style of the music and in the instrumentation which includes shinobue and flute (Korb); koto, shamisen, guitar (Ray Hickey, Jr.); bass (Chris Gartner) and percussion (Larry Crowe) - graceful and very elegant! "Peace Flute" is another solo piece, this time with Ron on the bass flute - again, very peaceful and beautiful. The last two tracks on the album are "Kingdom Prelude" and "Three Kingdoms," both large ensemble works with a fascinating selection of instruments and musicians from all over the world.

I can't say enough about how impressed I am with Global Canvas! Fascinating, inspiring, incredibly beautiful and even, at times, full of fun, this is one fantastic album! In times when it feels like the world is falling apart and being divided into warring factions, this music strongly suggests feelings of global unity and how much we can all share with each other, breaking down barriers while maintaining the traditions of our cultures. I know that's reading a lot into the music, but that's the way it makes me feel. Thank you, Ron Korb, and your brilliant group of musicians and collaborators!

Global Canvas is available on CD and to download from Ron's website; to download and stream on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes, and on many streaming platforms including Pandora. Don't miss it!