The Crooked Jades - Shining Darkness (2008)

"Shining Darkness" is the sixth studio album by the American folk band The Crooked Jades, based in San Francisco, released on January 1, 2008, on the band's independent label, Jade Note Music. The release received rave reviews from critics (including a full 5 stars on reputable music platforms) and was called "a stunning and addictive album" by British magazine fRoots.

The album's uniqueness lies in its instrumental eclecticism: in addition to standard violins, banjos, and guitars, the musicians used bass ukulele, harmonium, mbira (African piano), cello, and traditional Vietnamese instruments such as the jaw harp and the dan bao (a one-dimensional zither). The result is a hypnotic, organic and pulsating sound, where fast-paced, energetic beats give way to ghostly, dark acoustic ballads.