South Korean artist Sungjae Son brings some rich tones and ideas out on this debut album of his for ECM. He plays tenor sax and bass clarinet with Suwuk Chung/g, Yulhee Kim/voc-perc, Soojin Suh/dr and a cameo appearance by Sori Choi who adds some traditional Korean percussion for a track.
The moods and sounds are quite varied,with some almost liturgical voices subtly supported by percussion on “Mot” while the soft vocals contrast with Son’s breathy tenor and the fuzz rock guitar on a trudging “Pa:do” while the team drifts like a gentle mist on the floating “Galggabuda.” Indie rock guitar strums support Kims’s delicate voice, where she sounds like a dimmed light quietly penetrating a dark grey evening on “Baram” while Choi’s percussion adds thoughtful exoticism. Haunting effects and ethereal voices create a cirrus clouded “Jinyang” and the leader sighs on tenor over the rumbling drum and subtle “oohs” on “Ebyul.” Son uses his reeds for supporting a mood, leading by serving, and it serves well here.