Record Reviews

JUNE YUN ~ ENLIGHTENMENT - SOLID WAVES SNMC 0079 (Barcode: 8809800620683) ~ SOUTH KOREA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Korean Jazz vocalist / songwriter June YunFind albums by this artist, recorded in NY with an international team of instrumentalists, including a classic piano trio: Israeli pianist Shai MaestroFind albums by this artist, Japanese bassist Kanoa MendenhallFind albums by this artist and Korean drummer Jongkuk KimFind albums by this artist. Three more guest musicians appear on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Yun, with lyrics in English and Korean. The music is quite surprising and far from what one expects from a vocalist at the early stage of her career, who rather than follow a familiar path of singing Jazz standards, choses to perform a highly original, inventive thread, which combines modern Jazz and Avant-Garde vistas of Free Improvisation, mixing vocals and vocalese effectively and ambitiously, and as such presenting a solid aesthetic statement, which is a rare phenomenon on today’s vocal Jazz scene. Yun is superbly accompanied by the piano trio and the guests, all of which follow her highly spirited delivery and provide an ideal accompaniment to her vocal performances. Maestro is brilliantly amicable for this demanding task, and adds some elegant and inspired soloing, without overshadowing the proceedings. The rhythm section also manages to stand up to the demanding challenge, with amazing bass parts by Mendenhall, one of the few female acoustic bass players with an amazing touch and feel, and spirited drumming by Kim. The guests add additional instrumental layers on selected tracks, played by vibraphone, guitar and saxophone, all perfectly suiting the musical environment. Overall, this is an excellent debut effort, original and ambitious, aesthetically pleasing and offering music, which immediately engages the listener, and which is something that relatively few albums, especially vocal offerings, are able to do these days. Definitely well done and you can be proud of yourself young Lady, for this achievement!

Updated: 21/08/2024Posted: 21/08/2024

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