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Daniele Germani: A Congregation of Folks
by Troy Dostert
Ambition is not in short supply for up-and-coming alto saxophonist Daniele Germani. Back in 2019, the Berklee College of Music alumnus committed himself to writing a song a day, and ten are featured here on his debut disc, A Congregation of Folks. Nor are they easy-come, easy-go compositions; there is an innate restlessness in Germani's muse, leading to pieces which ebb and flow with a surging intensity. While Germani is no stranger to other musicians' projects, his own record is ...
Continue ReadingEshed Korten Biolcati Kim: A Way Out
by Friedrich Kunzmann
One of the more exciting scenarios in jazz unfolds when a group of players comes together, not to realize one individual's specific vision, but just for the sake of making music together and to develop a chemistry which, ideally, was there from the beginning. The group effort here presents the fruits of such an occasion. A Way Out captures a contemporary jazz quartet that's in it for the joy of playing together. Forming the band name under which ...
Continue ReadingSimon Moullier: Spirit Song
by Geno Thackara
Simon Moullier sounds like a pretty old soul for someone only releasing his debut. At the same time, even more impressively, it is a relentlessly playful one, with an equal love for the old and new. One might think an instrument as established as the vibraphone only has so much potential to be taken to new places. With a mind as sharp as his hands, though, Moullier puts that familiar sound in a world-spanning musical context which makes everything both ...
Continue ReadingSimon Moullier: Spirit Song
by Dan Bilawsky
Simon Moullier conjures elemental tides on this remarkably fluid and ear-catching debut. The French vibraphonist--a Berklee College of Music and Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz alumnus, now living in Brooklyn--offers a glowing attack, sweeping suggestions, worldly modernism and otherworldly light in these pieces recorded over the span of several sessions between 2017 and 2020. Coloring his work with synthesizers and subtly shining graces, drawing on tight bonds with bassist Luca Alemanno and drummer Jongkuk Kim, filling out ...
Continue ReadingSukyung Kim: Lilac Hill
by Mike Jurkovic
Lilac Hill, Korean-born, Brooklyn based pianist/composer Sukyung Kim's five song, self-produced, engaging debut EP fervently introduces a musical sensibility that is an airy, traditional blend of youthful wit and studied style with a lean, casual sense of swing at its heart. The title track starts the proceedings confidently enough with tight and dynamic group interplay, proving an early and undeniable testament to Kim's solid understanding that as one player shines so too shines the whole ensemble. “Stargazer" opens ...
Continue ReadingSukyung Kim: Lilac Hill
by Friedrich Kunzmann
There is a lot to admire about Brooklyn-based pianist Sukyung Kim's debut outing, whether it be the thoroughly narrated elements forming the individual compositions, the crystalline transparency of the recording, the dexterous performances by all involved, or the equal amount of innovation and traditional savoir-faire which defines these five original cuts. At just over half an hour, this first contact with the pianist might be short, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. ...
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