Youn Sun Nah - Lento (2013)

Female singers who manage to stir a whole genre are seldom found. Diana Krall and Norah Jones are such outstanding talents who gave vocal jazz a whole new colour, and Korean singer Youn Sun Nah has been equally phenomenal. In the last few years she has conquered the music world with her albums Voyage (2009) and Same Girl (2010) both released on ACT. Her new album Lento gives an explanation by combining Youn Sun Nah s unique qualities. One of them is the blending of different cultural and musical sources, in a respectful yet unconventional manner. Besides jazz and related styles, she draws on chanson, pop and folk music, and in addition to compositions by herself and her band members, there is the extremely light version of the Korean folk song Arirang as well as Hurt by the alternative rock band Nine Inch Nails, and Stan Jones Ghost Riders In The Sky , a classic country song made famous by Johnny Cash. For the first time Nah also calls upon European classical music: Alexander Skrjabin s Prelude op. 16 Nr. 4 in E minor with its tempo indication Lento was a source of inspiration for the album s title, and it also sets up an intimate, atmospheric and harmonious musical world. With her universal yet individual style Youn Sun Nah gives traditional vocal jazz a new flavour, while unconventionally and effortlessly exploring new exciting spaces. She is one of the most outstanding representatives of vocal jazz that includes the whole spectrum of contemporary music.

Tracklist:

01. Lento (Alexander Scriabin / Youn Sun Nah)
02. Lament (Youn Sun Nah)
03. Hurt (Trent Reznor)
04. Empty Dream (Vincent Peirani / Youn Sun Nah)
05. Momento Magico (Ulf Wakenius)
06. Soundless Bye (Youn Sun Nah)
07. Full Circle (Vincent Peirani / Youn Sun Nah)
08. Ghost Riders In The Sky (Stan Jones)
09. Waiting (Lars Danielsson / Cæcilie Norby)
10. Arirang (Korean trad.)
11. New Dawn (Youn Sun Nah)

Persoonel:

Youn Sun Nah - vocals;
Ulf Wakenius - guitars;
Lars Danielsson - bass & cello;
Vincent Peirani - accordion & accordina;
Xavier Desandre-Navarre - percussion.