"the magic of mystery" is the most appropriate title this album from free-improviser henry kuntz could have. kuntz is long-time bay-area resident who has run his own hummingbird imprint since 1979 (the year i was born!). but "the magic of mystery" takes its inspiration and evocations from the east. originally appearing on a hummingbird cassette, these four pieces are based around thai, chinese, balinese, javanese, nepalese, and bolivian instruments. kuntz explains, "these prototype wind & percussion ensembles emphasize sharply contrasted and divergent textural, timbrel, and rhythmic elements." what they create, though, is a cathartic journey through time, searching out exactly what the title suggests. on "the magic of mystery," spirits are dancing free. 100 copies