Labor of Love

Another masterwork by one of America’s true mavericks—Scott Johnson, a composer/performer who works slowly and meticulously crafts every detail. A new work from him is truly a cause for celebration and this sprawling, extended 74-minute eight movement suite marks the culmination of his pioneering work transcribing speech into musical melodies. Here recordings of philosopher Daniel C. Dennett are set in lush and colorful musical landscapes that brilliantly mix pop sensibilities with classical rigor. A labor of love and five years in the making, this is one of Scott’s greatest creations, successfully synthesizing opposing musical inheritances into an exciting new language.

Featuring beautiful Japanese garden photography and insightful writing, Kyoto Gardens is a labor of love from master photographer Ben Simmons and Kyoto-based writer Judith Clancy.