Featuring
- Jonathan Chen: violin
- Tatsu Aoki: contrabass
Tracklisting
- Reading Comprehension
- Beneath the Skin
- Capital
- Imago
- Bell
- Harber
- Bracket
- Four Twenty-Three
- Backwards
March 15, 2007
Asian Improv Records AIR0071
ASIN: B001D0N0NA
Buy from Asian Improv aRts Midwest / aStore
Album Description, Editorial Review
Elliott Simonall aboutjazz.com
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30295
The lofty aspirations for the cleverly titled Jonathan Chen's Orchestra are nearly achieved as violin and bass meet in intimate yet adventurous soundscapes. Both utilize harmonics and perhaps some electronic aids in performing what is a broad array of improvised compositions. Chen plays in a staccato fashion while Aoki maintains beautiful support that highlights his instrument's depth on cuts like CD opener “Reading Comprehension” and the delightful romp “Capital.” It is however, on the more 'out' pieces like “Beneath the Skin” and “Imago” where the duo are at their most inventive, morphing their stringed instruments into otherworldly equipment. The former has Chen simulating an operatic diva while the latter features a somewhat astonishing in-tandem percussive exploration. At times the duo surprises with a catchy melody like that of the mesmerizing “Bracket” or when Aoki plays in a register that seemingly should be Chen's on the hypnotic “Four Twenty-Three.” “Backwards” ends the program with a lovely exotic feel brought about through what can best be described as a constructive “birthing” simulated by Aoki's percussive chords and Chen's cries and sobs.
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visit jonathan chen's web site: jonathanchen.net
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Back to Tatsu's Discography
