Search - Helen Sung Trio :: Helenistique

Not-so-standard standards

P. M. Anley-steward | Cayman Islands | 06/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Helen Sung is probably one of the most exciting jazz pianists I have discovered in a long time. She plays with dazzling precision, depth, and she swings like crazy. Her own composition H*Town with it's quirky rhythmic punctuations was one of my favourites and creates an edgy musical introduction to the CD followed by a lilting and then driving rendition of Rogers and Hart's "Lover". The inclusion of James P. Johnson's "Carolina Shout" is as fresh as the other tracks but a respectful nod to the roots of jazz piano and adds yet another mood to a broad variety of selections. Helen is in fine company with Derrick Hodge (b) and Lewis Nash (d) completing a stellar trio. Each of the trio members gets a chance to stretch out in various tracks notably Derrick Hodge's beautiful bowed solo on 'Where or When" and Lewis Nash solo over a vamp in H*Town. Lovers of piano trio jazz should agree it does not get much better than this - a group that can be funky, swinging and superbly balanced. The test of any CD for me is how long it will survive constant re-playing - Helen Sung has joined my longest-played list (at 2.5 weeks and counting) and I can't wait for CD number three."

Helen's Piano Sings

Walter J. Jamieson Jr. | 05/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Only the second (of three) CDs so far from Helen Sung as leader of her own group, "HELENISTIQUE" gives us a varied sampling of this unusually gifted young pianist's approach to standards and originals. She has technique to burn but isn't ostentatious about it, plays some familiar compositions but makes them her own, is very strong rhythmically but can play with amazing delicacy as well. A tradition made up of Monk, Powell, Evans, Hancock and Jarrett has a very comfortable spot in it for Helen Sung.



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