OKI is an Ainu musician who combines traditional music, played upon the tonkori, with a range of influences that update the sound while retaining a ritualistic purity. The sound is generally very spare–the tonkori is a plucked five stringed open-fret instrument–but there is diversity among the tracks because of the lovely guest vocals (notably by Ainu folk singer Umeko Ando) and surprising sonic addtions–from casio beats to throat singing. I recommend experimenting with various tracks. (For a quick taste of the range, try Yaykatekar Dub and Iuta Upopo.) The album is a balm for hard times.