snobb
Korean-born, Amsterdam-based young female drummer, Sun-Mi Hong, undoubtedly belongs to the cohort of virtuosic jazz drummers/band leaders who concentrate on the compositional part of their music (much like John Hollenbeck, Tyshawn Sorey, and Ches Smith among others). "Meaning Of A Nest" is Hong's fourth album, the three previous are all recorded in a similar key. Trumpeter Alistair Payne is the only member who played on all four recordings.
The album's music is a mid-tempo mix of quite precise and a bit formal compositions with regular inclusions of freer improvisations from each member. There are some sentimental moods, and a few fireworks in the music as well. The quintet works well together, and in general the music is well balanced, without being too dry, but still always under control. Possibly, that feeling of successful proportion between composed and improvised is the album's main musical attractiveness. Interplay between the young musicians is great, still, the compositions are always particularly interesting or memorable.
A good example of today's jazz, with possible growth potential.
