"A wonderfully clear voice, with superb melismatic control and dynamic poise. A welcome new presence on the international jazz scene." -- Jazzwise
"When South Korea's still-infant jazz scene comes under the spotlight, many a music lover would name soft-spoken Youn Sun Nah as the country's jazz princess." -- All About Jazz
"Youn Sun Nah really brings some much needed fresh air to vocal jazz music ... To envision the beauty of her voice, you have to imagine Youn Sun Nah a hybrid singer who travels the boundaries of classical and jazz but also combines Korean roots with Western influences. Her technique is astonishing, her pitch fantastic. Her very particular timbre makes comparisons difficult. Some jazz fans recognize Jeanne Lee or Susanne Abbuehl, pop fans Björk or Kate Bush, but trust me, Youn Sun Nah is a unique phenomenon." -- 6 Moons
* The debut jazz album from the first Korean artist exclusively under contract with ACT!
* In 2007, Youn Sun Nah recorded a pop album in Korea entitled Memory Lane. The CD was a best seller in her home country and she was invited to perform across Europe, where she met Swedish guitar virtuoso and ACT recording artist Ulf Wakenius. They decided to record a CD, bringing in producer/bassist Lars Danielsson, Norwegian trumpet player Mathias Eick, and French percussionist Xavier Desandre-Navarre.
* This exquisite quartet displays a distinctly Nordic element on Voyage. As Youn Sun Nah's singing brings together various elements, the repertoire on the album concentrates on diverse predilections including six of her own compositions that range from melancholic ballads to intricate up-tempo tracks.
* Features Egberto Gismonti's "Frevo" as a showpiece for Wakenius; Nat King Cole's "Calypso Blues," recommended to Nah by a French friend; and an ethereal version of Tom Waits'"Jockey Full of Bourbon."
* Received a Korean Music Award. Voyage was named Record of the Month by French publication Jazzman. Youn Sun Nah: vocals Ulf Wakenius: guitar Lars Danielsson: acoustic bass, cello, melodica Xavier Desandre-Navarre: percussion Mathias Eick: trumpet
Un disco de esos que te van entrando, que van pudiendo contigo poco a poco, tranquilamente, pero sin pausa.
Joven cantante coreana con pasado parisino, volvió a su país hace dos años cuando empezaba a ser conocida en los ambientes franceses. Allí ha esperado esta ocasión brindada por el contrabajista Lars Danielson debida a la mediación del guitarrista austriaco Ulf Wakenius.
Calma y serenidad a raudales encierra este disco compuesto en su mayoría por temas de la propia Youn Sun Nah. Las versiones son “Calypso Blues” de Nat King Cole, “Jockey Full of Bourbon” de Tom Waits, “Frevo” compuesta por Egberto Gismonti y una “Indian Song” de Margarita Duras que Youn deja para el final cantándola en francés.
Parece que Danielsson conoció el mismo día de la grabación a Youn y que conectaron desde el principio; desde luego parece verdad por los arreglos minimalistas y perfectos que le ha hecho. Arreglos donde Ulf lleva la manija dejando que Lars, Xavier con la percusión u Mathias con la trompeta añadan los detalles necesarios para enriquecer las piezas.
Misterio, luz y sombra, se complementan en cada tema. Fragilidad y fuerza se suman para que todo fluya y suene de una manera especial.
Discutir si esto es Jazz o no es una bobada: es belleza que te va impregnando y que a cada escucha aumenta de manera proporcional.
Un disco a no perder de vista y una voz que puede ser muy importante en un futuro.
Tracks
01. Dancing With You (Youn Sun Nah)
02. The Linden (Lars Danielsson/Lina Nyberg)
03. Calypso Blues (Don George/Nat King Cole)
04. My Bye (Natacha/Youn Sun Nah)
05. Jockey Full Of Bourbon (Tom Waits)
06. Voyage (Youn Sun Nah)
07. Please, Don't Be Sad (Youn Sun Nah)
08. Shenandoah (American Folk Song)
09. Come, Come (Youn Sun Nah)
10. Frevo (Egberto Gismonti)
11. Inner Prayer (Youn Sun Nah)
12. India Song (Carlos D' Alessio/Merguerite Duras)
LARS DANIELSSON acoustic bass, cello, melodica
ULF WAKENIUS guitar
MATHIAS EICK trumpet
XAVIER DESANDRE-NAVARRE drums
Recorded June 2-4, 2008 at Nilento Studios, Gothenburg, Sweden
Triangle - CMDC-8254 (Korea)
ACT Music – ACT 9019-2 (Germany)