James Galway - The Enchanted Forest: Melodies of Japan (1990)

The Enchanted Forest is the latest release by the world-famous classical flautist James Galway, collaborating for the first time with Japanese synthesist Hiro Fujikake. Five of the tunes are traditional Japanese pieces (including the lovely "Sakura [Cherry Blossom]"), while the other ten are original compositions by Fujikake, a skilled musician who draws heavily from the romantic and classical traditions of the West as well as from the musical heritage of his native Japan. The tunes range from the instantly catchy Kitaro-esque title track to the playful rhythms of the children's song "Zui Zui Zukorobashi," from the majestic "Nakasendo" to the impressionistic tone poem "Song of the Deep Forest." Galway plays with his usual sensitivity, combining the fluid voice of his golden flute with Fujikake's lush synthesizer colorings to produce this lyrical and enchanting tribute to the Melodies of Japan.