Naoko by Ensemble for Sound Poetry and Contemporary Music

Naoko, the album by the Ensemble for Sound Poetry and Contemporary Music, is a sonic homage to the artistry of Naoko Maeshiba, a renowned improvisational dancer whose work bridges the ephemeral and the eternal. The album captures the spirit of Maeshiba’s performances, translating her kinetic energy and visceral presence into an auditory experience that transcends genre.

Through a seamless blend of sound poetry, contemporary composition, and improvisation, the collective mirrors the fluidity and tension of Maeshiba’s movements. Each track unfolds as a dialogue between the body and the sound, evoking moments of stillness, eruption, and transformation. Ethereal vocals, fragmented texts, and dynamic instrumental textures create a multidimensional soundscape where silence holds as much weight as sound, much like the pauses in Maeshiba’s choreography.

The ensemble's tribute is deeply personal, inspired by Maeshiba’s philosophy of dance as an act of becoming. In Naoko, they channel her essence—not as a fixed memory, but as a living force, continually evolving and dissolving. This album invites the listener to experience improvisation as a shared ritual of presence, resonating with Maeshiba’s own quest for authenticity and connection.

Naoko is not just an album; it is a space where sound and movement coalesce, honoring the intangible magic of an artist who moves between worlds.

Ensemble For Sound Poetry And Contemporary Music (EFSPACM) is a group creating various musical works. The basis of being part of the Ensemble is taking part in our projects.