2007 was not an outstanding year for Korean music to be brutally honest. I found myself liking this song here and that song there, but only a few albums as a whole have commanded my attention this past year. The following are my top 5 picks for best Korean albums of 2007. My criteria for … [Read More]
Music (page 95)
Concert notes: Choi Jin at SOAS
Concerts at SOAS always seem to have a good turn-out. Monday (19 November) was no exception when Choi Jin and colleagues presented a programme of modern compositions and arrangements of music for traditional Korean instruments. Keith Howard provided some informative introductions to the music to be performed, which provided useful context as well as some … [Read More]
Yi Sung-yol #2: In exchange
Fluxus Records, May 2007. This was one of my gullible speculative purchases foisted on me by Mr Jay Kim at AM Records in Manhattan’s Koreatown. Bless him — he’s getting to know me too well. This one’s a cracker. Yi (이승열) has a gorgeous mellow voice — but with the occasional rough edge to make … [Read More]
Album review: Ji-Eun vol 1 – Rain
Review by Jenny Wu (Yedang Entertainment, May 2007) YG Entertainment’s Kim Ji Eun has finally debuted. Her debut has been pushed forward for quite some time now, making this album all the more anticipated. As most die-hard YG fans already know, she gained fame through appearances on other artist’s albums (Jinusean, Taebin, Wheesung, and Lexy … [Read More]
Jang Yoon Jung – first album
(Sony Music, October 2004) Jang Yoon Jung was the first of the younger generation stars to experiment with Trot. Brought out in late 2004, her first album was a hit with older and younger buyers alike, and encouraged other Trot revivalists to have a go. Those who came after were somehow less successful, let down … [Read More]
Event news: Kayagum and dance at SOAS
As part of the SOAS autumn concert series there’s a kayagum recital, with traditional and contemporary dance, on 19 November at 7pm. Choi Jin (최진) : Evocative Korean Kayagum and Dance Choi Jin is one of the most brilliant kayagum players in the Korean music world. As a well-known performer, she has given many concerts … [Read More]
Suzannah Clarke’s musical diplomacy
A while ago I posted about Jason Carter’s trip to Pyongyang to participate in the annual Friendship Festival. While in Pyongyang, Carter met up with Middlesborough opera diva Suzannah Clarke, who has been performing at the Friendship Festival every year since 2003. Clarke’s North Korean connection is through football. She’s had a long association with … [Read More]
Clazziquai #3: Love child of the century
Clazziquai’s third album revisits much of the material from their previous efforts, but somehow fails to repeat the freshness. In an attempt to do something new, they have come up with a bigger, poppier sound, with the emphasis on a wall of synthesised support for their previously more transparent style. Take as an example of … [Read More]
Donawhale debut album
Review by Jenny Wu When I first laid my ears on this album, all I could think was, “what loveliness!” Indie bands often fall into the trap of blandness when they take themselves too seriously. I have little patience when it comes to dull tunes. Thankfully, I found no such problem with Donawhale’s debut album. … [Read More]
Leeds prizewinner to play in London
Sunwook Kim, winner of the 2006 Leeds International Piano competition, comes to London in November for two concerts. For me, the highlight will be the solo recital on 4 November in Golders Green for the Mill Hill Music Club: 1. Mill Hill Music Club – Date : 4th November 2007, 7:30 pm – Venue : … [Read More]
Clazziquai #2: Color your Soul
Clazziquai’s second main album has some of the same formulae as their first, the blend of lounge, electronica and Latin, but includes an additional influence: a slight funk element. There’s a slightly greater emphasis on the bass, and the horns in the background of some of the tracks – for example, #4, Cry out loud … [Read More]
10 Comes to Europe
10, LKL’s favourite Korean-Japanese experimental indie music duo, is coming to Europe to challenge, amaze and entertain audiences in Spain and France. Half of the duo is itta, interviewed by Anna Lindgren in March this year. The other half is Marqido, who describes himself as a Noise Artist. Here are the tour dates: 28 Sep … [Read More]
Casker #3: Between
(Lupin Records, December 2006) Review by Jenny Wu Casker consists of vocalist, Lee Yoong Jin, and producer / composer / arranger / DJ Lee Juno. While their previous albums are just as fantastic, I think their third is a lot better-rounded. There’s a heavier concentration on vocals in this album than their previous albums which … [Read More]
DPRK travellers’ tales
Two travel accounts have recently been highlighted in the BAKS list. First, a long account by guitarist Jason Carter of his 10-day trip to Pyongyang earlier this year to perform in a spring music festival. Like many DPRK travel accounts, we find the author having moments of frustration with the minders as well as appreciating … [Read More]
British Museum and AKS celebrate Chuseok
Two events to celebrate Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival. Firstly, the Anglo-Korean Society will be having a buffet dinner at Young Bean Kwan on the Barbican highwalks in the City on 20 September. Guest of honour will be Ambassador Cho. There will be a short pre-dinner talk on Korean customs and food, and guests will be … [Read More]
A meeting with My Hair Ball
By Anna Lindgren There’s this Korean music site, millim.com, where little known musicians share their work with the public in the form of free downloads. While browsing this site, every now and then one comes across a real gem – someone that makes music so fantastic it’s impossible to understand that no record company has … [Read More]