Lim Giong + Guests – A Pure Person

The debut release on LA-based Taiwanese-American label Pure Person Press, A Pure Person celebrates the iconic opening track of Hou Hsiao Hsien’s New Wave cult classic Millennium Mambo by Taiwanese composer Lim Giong, who is known as “the godfather of Taiwanese experimental electronic music.” Giong’s original, a guitar-driven techno-pop song sung in Taiwanese, is left off the EP due to rights issues, but in its place are four gorgeous new interpretations drawing from the melodies, textures, and philosophies of Giong’s original, along with a new track from Giong. Taiwanese artist Point Hsu’s version is especially beautiful and retains the deeply cinematic quality of Giong’s original with lush synthesizers, various field recordings, Taiwanese traditional instruments, and ghostly echoes of Giong’s unforgettable vocal. For further listening, we highly recommend checking out Pure Person Press’ second release, Sounds of Taiwan, an eco-musical project originating from the field recordings of Lim Giong.

Recommended – Full Listen