Jason Kao Hwang wrote the music for this album, which accompanies poems by Davida Singer, Lester Afflick, Patirical Sears Jones, Fay Chiang, Seve Dalachinsky and Yuko Otomo. The musicians range from the voices of Deanna Relyea and Thomas Bucker, while Hwang’s viola and violin are teamed with Piotr Michalowski/reeds, Taylor Ho Bynum/ct-fh, Andrew Drury/dr, Ken Filiano/b, Joe McPhee ts-tp, William Parker/b and San Won Park/voice-trad inst.
Having given credits, the music itself consists of strings ranging from semi classical (“Nocturnal” and ”In Like Paradise/Out Like the Blues”) to wild and brassy trumpets as on “Someone.” The voices themelves veer in and out of plucking bass and violin strings, going from see saw during “I Dream About You Baby” to pizzicato musings on “Days of Awe.” Askance moods and shadowy atmospheres are in abundance here. Sun glasses and berets in a smoky room are a necessity for taking in the proper delivery.
Innova Records