Jen Shyu Discography of CDs

Jen Shyu music CDs Recording information: University of California, Department of Music, San Dieg (05/17/2009/04/12/2010). Personnel: Mark Dresser (acoustic bass); Jen Shyu (vocals). Audio Mixer: Joe Branciforte.

Jen Shyu albums Recording information: Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY (02/23/2007/07/25/2007). Personnel: Steve Coleman (alto saxophone); Jen Shyu (vocals); Jonathan Finlayson (trumpet); Tim Albright (trombone); Marcus Gilmore, Tyshawn Sorey (drums); Ramon Garcia Perez (percussion).

Jen Shyu CD discography Electric guitarist Miles Okazaki is the leader on this recording, but that role is primarily as a composer of this music. It was done in one take as a continuous piece like it would be performed in concert, with no breaks. Okazaki's spare sound takes charge only in select instances, leaving the bulk of the work to any of three alto saxophonists and vocalist Jen Shyu, who concentrates on cryptic wordless vocals. Through generations of progressive jazz styles and the performers present, Okazaki moves through many written phases and improvised sections of music that firmly approach film noir and contemporary styles separated by natural or ethnic elements densely packed into one lengthy package. Even challenged listeners will be hard pressed to listen all the way through, because the music goes through so many emotional changes and phases in Zen fashion. Still, there's worthy and brilliant music devised, as more outstanding individual tracks can be enjoyed on their own merits. The three saxophonists -- David Binney, Christof Knoche, and Miguel Zenón -- all play alto in a similar tone and timbre requiring their sounds command close listening, or a referral to the liner notes to find out who's who. Okazaki's music flows but not in a straight line, more crooked and unpredictable, with craggy ridges and waterfalls that tumble sideways. "Overture" sets this crazy pace in continually mixed meters as Shyu and drummer Dan Weiss adapt this music via East Indian ragas and sped up pacings. "Sun" is saxed up, brittle and fractured, conjuring high drama. A slight tango on the lengthy "Waves" features all three horns soloing, a rhythmically staggered idea on the title cut has Zenón up front during a mutated 6/8 beat, and ...

Jen Shyu discography The musical key to Steve Coleman & the Five Elements' new album lie in its title. Harvesting Semblances and Affinities is, in a manner, a suite that acts as a precursor to a forthcoming album that further explores the initial concepts articulated here. While the cover is adorned with interconnected circles and astrological and I Ching symbols, the music follows a rather free-flowing progression on the ...

Jen Shyu songs  

Jen Shyu CD discography Track Listing of songs: Ritual; Tehu Seven; Tetragrams / Astrology I; Circle Weaving Thirteen; Ritual; Gregorian; Unction; Triad Mutations II; Ritual; Li Bai / Astrology II; Triad Mutations I;

Jen Shyu albums Track Listing of songs: Plena Organization; Travels, Pts. 1 & 2; Metro Mono; Plena Seguiro; ...