Markus Burger - Lament & Liberation - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Hans Backenroth bassRoger Svedberg vibrafonDaniel Tilling pianoOscar Johansson Werre drums

In August 2019, I had the privilege of spending two afternoons in Vienna, the music capital of Europe, recording. I traveled to Vienna with my friend and producer, Jim Linahon, to spend two days recording in the Bösendorfer piano showroom, courtesy of Ferdinand Bräu. Vienna has been my favorite European city for a long time. And I have been a fan of Bösendorfer pianos since studying at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany, where I fell in love with the sound of this amazing instrument. For the past 20 years, I have visited Vienna many times, and have played in various ensembles around this beautiful capital of Austria. Vienna has always had a distinct impact on me. The city's people, their humor, elegance, and joy, are like few other places I've been. While recording, I enjoyed exploring the sound of the piano, especially in the upper register. I also chose to improvise in a minimal way to let the instrument guide me on a musical stroll. I found my time in Vienna relaxing, inspiring, and deeply spiritual. I hope you, the listener, will enjoy the music as much as I enjoyed playing it. (Markus Burger)

Jihee Heo has done for me that rare and beautiful thing I value and cherish most about incredible music, she has inspired me. - Kirk Whalum. Raised in South Korea, pianist-composer Jihee Heo studied in Amsterdam before receiving her Masters from the Manhattan School of Music in 2013. Now with a decade ensconced in New York's music scene, Jihee found inspiration for producing this album of alternately pastoral and grooving trio music through Robert Henry's classic treatise for artists, InchArt Spirit.Inch Reciting passages in the opening track, InchAre You Ready?,Inch the sense of offering a vision into her musical process and deep involvement with 'the moment' informs the 8 artfully melodic original compositions. Along with the wide-ranging talents of drummer Rodney Green, who also co-produces, and bassist Marty Kenney, rapper Saidu Ezike voices Jihee's ambivalence toward her New York experience on InchTrust,Inch followed by what could be considered a love note to the city on the instrumental InchOh, New York.Inch InchJihee is a very special artist. She uses her music to paint vivid pictures and take the listener on a journey they're sure to enjoy.Inch - Rodney Green