Perched on the rugged edge of a mountainous terrain lies the “feathered lion of the sky.” Engulfed in the totality of peace that comes with nature’s finest, silence reveals the rhythmic pace of every living thing that pulsates the energy of zen. In it’s optimal disposition, zen is the conduit of calm that is often channeled through meditation and invitation.
In the world of Tibetan singer and songwriter Ansa GaRangDengZhen, it is a way to become one with a brand of folk and world music that sets the intention to inspire and uplift. It’s one of the reasons why the music prodigy’s name in English is Zen, a nod to the creative vanguard that repurposes a cohort of instrumentation as transformative works of art as he does on “Alaye,” his latest contribution to the universe.
First listen to the uptempo production gives the impression of the former, an exploratory spirit animal soaring the crystal clear skies of a sacred open space. Zen symmetrically flourishes in his zone, parlaying his powerful voice over a bountiful construction of flutes, drums, and exotic musicality. Meanwhile, the song flirts with insertions of optimistic dance-infused moments, compounded with influences from his Canadian and Tibetan roots.
“Alaye,” produced by Hillary Wang, is the follow up to Zen’s full-length studio albums Global Village and Songs from the Himalayas. Zen’s masterful discography embodies a collection of songs that demonstrates the formidable aspects of humanity. Not surprisingly, the expression of love and peace in his music is an extension of his real-life philanthropic endeavors in the arts community.
His involvement has been recognized with several accolades that include the American Love and Art Contribution Award, British Charity Artist Honor, and Performing Artist Award. He was also appointed the Vice Chairman of the Tibetan Performing Arts Alliance and named the ambassador for the Canadian Liver Fund, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, and the Tibet Aid and Development Foundation.
Zen has also evolved in the television and film world, being featured in Sichuan Satellite TV’s China Love, Big Song Club, CCTV15 Music Channel Folk Song China, and Tibet Satellite TV’s Tibet Feihong, to name a few.
The all-encompassing career of the artist has granted many honorable titles, along with an overflowing well of inspiration to create, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. While the 2020 release of “Alaye” faced the unprecedented peril and delay of the pandemic, Zen’s sonically advanced rebound in 2022 is one to be marveled just as the feathered lion of the sky that soars above the masterful composition of the universe.
“Alaye” can be listened to on music streaming platforms, such as Amazon Music and Spotify.
