Search - Okkyung Lee :: Nihm

Nihm
Okkyung Lee
Nihm
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Born in Taejon, Korea, Okkyung Lee moved to Boston in 1993, where she received degrees in film scoring and improvisation. A ubiquitous figure in the downtown scene since 2000, her playing is passionate and uncompromising. ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Okkyung Lee
Title: Nihm
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Tzadik
Release Date: 5/24/2005
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
Style: Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 702397771524

Synopsis

Album Description
Born in Taejon, Korea, Okkyung Lee moved to Boston in 1993, where she received degrees in film scoring and improvisation. A ubiquitous figure in the downtown scene since 2000, her playing is passionate and uncompromising. For her debut CD she has created a sensitive suite drawing inspiration from her Korean roots, the world of mystery and the world of love. Featuring many of the musicians she has grown close to in the past several years, Nihm is a brilliantly conceived collection of music blending composition and improvisation in surprising new ways.

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CD Reviews

Great debut.
Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 05/31/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Downtown cellist Okkyung Lee's debut recording is an enjoyable and well executed record. Utilizing a number of downtown musicians to great effect, Lee moves through several styles, infusing many of the downtown forms with a sense of brokenness and discord. Her harmonies tend to us an overt dissonance, while her playing is infused with an almost lamenting passion or a sense of animosity. It is this conveyance of emotion so powerfully throughout the record that really helps it stand up nicely.



Opening with a moody percussion feature (forJohn Hollenbeck, who steals the show at the drum kit on every track he appears on) ("On a Windy Day"), the feeling of discord is obvious from the start. As Hollenbeck splatters, tinkles, and explodes his way through the piece (supported delicately but whirling and haze from electronics manipulator Ikue Mori), a sense of unhappiness is conveyed. Whether this is due to compositional strength or performance is somewhat difficult to discern, Hollenbeck's work sounds pretty mixed as read and improvised.



Still, if performance is the strength, then its the leader who shines in emotional displays on "That Undeniable Empty Feeling" (a Masadaish jazz piece), standout "Story of You and Me" (a real standout duet with harpist Shelley Burgon-- Lee sounds, even on the most beautiful lines, to be filled with tension) and "Deep Blue Knot" (an explosive free improv duet with drummer Tim Barnes). And for compositional power, look no further than powder-keg "Closed Window", threatening to explode but never quite getting there and solo (with overdubs) cello piece "Sky".



There's moments that don't quite live up to the rest-- "Returning Point" doesn't seem to go anywhere, and "Home" is expertly performed by pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and Mori, but really isn't a spectacular piece (its a traditional piece arranged by Lee), but for the most part, this is a great recording. Recommended for downtown music fans."