The Way of Tea, featuring Derek Nakamoto (2005, Junko Music)

Track List:
1. With Heart+
2. Bending with the Wind
3. Infusion
4. Shades of Amber, Green And Black
5. Gentle Passage - Interlude
6. Harmony
7. Respect
8. Wabi (Beauty of Imperfection) - Interlude [侘]+
9. Purity
10. Tranquil Lonliness
11. Ja Mata - Interlude [じゃまた]

* = Vocal Track
+ = Personal Favorite

Notes:

• All tracks are instrumental
• "With Heart" is June's dedication to the story (and memory) of Sadako Sasaki [佐々木禎子]. See the Sadako & the Thousand Cranes page for more details on her story. I had a chance to speak with June about this song (and the Sadako story) just after returning from my trip to Tokyo & Hiroshima, Japan in March, 2005. We talked about this song when I saw the band live at Thornton Winery (c. late June), a few months before the album were released.
• Track #08, Wabi [侘], refers to a Japanese Buddhist term reflecting the perceived "perfection" found in everyday imperfections. Wabi (part of the sentiment of Wabi-Sabi) celebrates the transience and imperfection of our human existence. [Thanks to Ron Taber for the background information on this topic.]