Live Review: Midori Takada, Krakatau

Melbourne progressive jazz band Krakatau open the show at the revered Melbourne Recital Centre to an eager, early seated crowd. The ambient opening composition mixes samples of breath and pattering drums that simmer under the proficient four-piece's instrumentation. The band's attempt to show the beauty of composition between keys, organ, bass, percussion and saxophone is achieved and the swirly warmth of the different parts pick up pace. By the end, you can hear elements of dub, even dancehall, bringing up the beat. Tenor saxophonist Alejandro J Abapo is compelling to watch.

Midori Takada's presence, a shadow to the right of stage, silences the building. A creature of balance and form, Takada moves like a dancer slowly unfurling onto the stage with command and control. The Japanese composer is lauded as supreme the world over for her ambient, visceral compositions in percussion - most recently rediscovered thanks to the reissue of her 1983 solo recording, Through The Looking Glass. Takada's performance sees her moving as though floating, but also very much grounded and with awe-inspiring control over her instrument.

Takada's mind-blowing skill is demonstrated via her command of percussive soundscapes that are placeless and worldly; melding African with Asian, and ruminating through spoken word notions of memory and childhood. At once narrative and meditative, her music conjures images of coconut trees by the river at one stage. The performance moves along flawlessly and hypnotises the audience.

The stage houses many percussive instruments: gongs, symbols, drums. Closing our eyes, we are overwhelmed by the balance in the percussion and the arresting flow of the marimba when in Takada's hands. Opening our eyes, Takada is a pillar of strength whose body seems to remain still while her arms, wrists and hands take on the role of effortless storytelling. Takada's every tap and stroke is heart-stopping as she pivots around a three-walled drum enclosure.

Takada is renowned as one of the greats of modern minimalist composition, and tonight it's a privilege and a joy to discover why.