Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jeong Hwan Park: Sound of Bronze

9

Jeong Hwan Park: Sound of Bronze

By

Sign in to view read count
Jeong Hwan Park: Sound of Bronze
A debut recording which belies the youth of its leader, Sound of Bronze is the handiwork of Jeong Hwan Park, a bassist on the rise who has assembled some fine talent and terrific compositions on this promising quartet album. Bouyed by the presence of veteran tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, Park and his colleagues specialize in music which possesses a quiet sophistication and considerable emotional depth.

Park penned all eight of the album's cuts, and they are remarkably well-conceived, with an unhurried development which allows their winsome appeal to emerge naturally. Nothing is forced here. Pianist Nitzan Gavrieli's gently ringing chords announce the opening title track, and Perry's patient unfurling of the tune creates an alluring warmth which is further enhanced by robust solos from Park and Gavrieli, all the while supported by the unfailingly graceful touch of drummer Takehiro Shimizu. Perry's own solo statement is a marvel of restraint, with impeccable delivery and subtle logic. Most of the album moves in a similar vein, with slow to mid-tempo pieces which allow plenty of room for nuanced expression and an expansive feel. Perry is the ideal saxophonist for this music, with an ability to reach to the core of Park's strong melodies without excessive ornamentation and with an uncanny instinct for giving each note its due, even sometimes lagging just a mite behind the beat, so as not to rush the proceedings.

Tracks with a bit more punch, such as the steady-swinging "Blues for GD" or the straight-ahead up-tempo burner "Cringe Moments," have their own potency, and Perry is certainly able to unload with both barrels when needed. But these pieces don't quite do justice to Park's compositional acumen, which is best revealed on the quieter, more melancholy tracks. Take the lovely ballad "Ultimo Fine de Semana," for instance, in which Perry's dusky tenor carves out a reflective space for poignant longing. Or the lilting waltz "Maldivia," with a simple yet affecting theme which becomes more captivating each time one hears it. On these pieces Park demonstrates the instincts of a natural composer, and they give the album its distinctive appeal.

The album concludes with another striking ballad, "Oracion," and once again one is impressed by the refined beauty of Park's music. Played rubato, with even more room for expressive freedom, Perry's haunting tenor winds delicately in interaction with the other three players, each luxuriating in the piece's inviting charms, almost reluctant to stop, lest the music's spell fade away completely.

Track Listing

1.Sound of Bronze 2. A Letter from the North 3.Blues for GD 4.Cringe Moments 5.Ultimo fin de Semana 6. Maldivia 7. Entreat 8. Oracion (for Mother)

Personnel

Album information

Title: Sound of Bronze | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: JPbassandmusic

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.