The Physicality of Sound: Ecophony Rinne
This is a very niche post, but if you’re a fellow fan of Akira or a music nerd maybe you’ll appreciate it.
Thanks to a recent reissue, I managed to get a limited edition copy of the mesmerising orchestral suite ‘Ecophony Rinne’ by Genioh Yamashirogumi, a Japanese collective composed of over 200 untrained musicians and regular people (engineers, journalists, students, business workers and scientists).
Comprising of Japanese Buddhist chant, Noh, deep rainforest audio, ancient wind instruments, bamboo percussion, specially built synths and other naturally captured sounds, the 39 minute 4 track suite recorded right at the dawn of the digital age pushed experimental music to new levels. It blends ancient sounds with the emerging digital era of the late 80’s.
Tsutomu Ōhashi
But the most interesting part of this reissue is the theoretical science behind why it has been pressed, for the first time, on a ‘Hypersonic Audio’ edition following the discovery made by the collective’s creator, Shoji Yamashiro (a scientist, professor, composer and producer).
When comparisons were made between the vinyl LP and CD releases, Yamashiro noticed the differences in sound. With an interest in neuroscience, he decided to scan the brain activity of listeners. Those exposed to the higher, non-human hearing, frequencies present on the vinyl pressing experienced increased blood flow to the brain.
Not to be confused with my coined term, ‘The Eargasm’ (when you get goosebumps listening to certain music)
His ‘Hypersonic Effect’ theory suggests that the ultrasonic frequencies we can’t consciously hear may still subtly affect our brain and body, changing how we experience the music.
So, this reissue has been recorded and pressed in a way that preserves the higher frequencies on the vinyl, for the first time ever. Whether there is a notable difference between this and other releases is up for debate, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
And the Akira link? Well, Katsihiro Otomo was so inspired by ‘Ecophony Rinne’ that he commissioned Geinoh Yamashirogumi to compose the soundtrack for his groundbreaking film. Similarities can be heard on ‘Symphonic Suite Akira’ which is why it’s so unique sounding. Unfortunately, an original vinyl pressing of that costs £600+….
If you made it this far, I appreciate you.
Above is the Hypersonic Audio edition with an obi strip. This edition is on black vinyl. The image below is the limited coloured pressing I also ordered.
