audio review: Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park (Cork, 04–04–11)

artwork for Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park: Sikora-Smith-Park (Cork, 04-04-11)
Distant mountain ranges, plateaus and landscapes populate Dave Sumner’s review at Bird is the Worm of the download release by Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park:

Han-earl Park has a special place in my music experience. I think, without exception, there has not yet been an opening to any one of his compositions where I have not had an adverse reaction, either repelling me back in my seat or leaving me shaking my head in exasperation of the noise coming out of my speakers. But the thing of it is, without exception, I find myself listening straight through to the final note. Somehow Han-earl Park finds a way to convert my ears to his music one song at a time….

There is no other artist in which I describe this way….

‘Topologically Correct Harry,’ it’s Sikora’s sax that ushers the listener right on in through the front door. Utilizing a pattern of phrasing that gives the impression of outlining a mountain range from a distance, Sikora’s sax is at the center of attention, with Smith’s trumpet searing blemishes of heat on a radar screen as Park’s guitar gurgles and pops just beneath the surface….

‘바르트’ has Ian Smith’s trumpet setting the table and drawing up a spontaneous menu of jab-right-cross combinations. Sikora moves in slow, but once she’s got both feet in the room, her sound expands into wildly arcing phrases that, when combined with Smith’s one-twos, makes for a delicious whirling dervish of sound. Park mostly keeps to the background, picking his spots and letting things develop organically….

‘Red Line Speed’ begins as a slow build that gains momentum along with height. It hits a plateau at the heart of the song, giving the sense of all three instruments feeling around in the dark to figure out the lay of the land before continuing their ascent in the final stretch of the track….

‘Massimo’s Imagined Juxtapositions’ is a lonely streetlight on a deserted midnight avenue, and the instruments are the moths darting in and out of the dim light carved into the darkness.

[Read the rest…] [More about this recording…] [All reviews…]

Also available for download…

audio recordings: Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (Birmingham, 02–15–11)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Richard Scott (Berlin, 10–23–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray (Cork, 07–29–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder (Cork, 03–26–09)

audio recordings: Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park (Cork, 04–04–11)

artwork for Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park: Sikora-Smith-Park (Cork, 04-04-11)
The complete recording of the April 4, 2011 performance by Catherine Sikora (saxophone), Ian Smith (trumpet) and Han-earl Park (guitar) is now available for download. (Special mention to drummer, composer and electronic artist Jeffrey Weeter who couldn’t make the gig, but who, perhaps, is there in the recordings in spirit.) [Bandcamp page…] [Download now…]

Recommended price: €8+

Unlike previous download releases from busterandfriends.com, this one is hosted at Bandcamp, and available as a ‘name your price’ album. Although you can download the recording for free (name €0 as your price) with certain restrictions, please consider paying at least the recommended price. Your generosity will help support the performers and their work. (Many thanks to Alex Fiennes, Corey Mwamba and Anton Hunter for Bandcamp specific advice and support.)

description

A wonderful gem of a recording.

— Philip Coombs (Free Jazz)

There is a new surprise around nearly every corner throughout this often fascinating performance.

— Tom Burris (Free Jazz)

This album rocks.

— Dave Sumner (Bird is the Worm)

[All reviews…]

A one-of-a-kind improvised musical meeting between artists from Ireland based overseas, and a then Ireland-based artist from abroad which took place on April 4, 2011 at The Roundy, Cork, Ireland.

This was a rare performance in Ireland by Catherine Sikora (New York-based, originally from West Cork), a saxophonist with a striking, compelling sound. She has been described as “a free-blowing player’s player with a spectacular harmonic imagination and an evolved understanding of the tonal palette of the saxophone” (Chris Elliot, Seacoast Online). Sikora was joined by cofounder of the London Improvisers’ Orchestra, trumpeter Ian Smith (London-based, from Dublin), and guitarist Han-earl Park (then Cork-based, currently Brooklyn-based, from California). Smith and Park had just come off the tour as part of the power-trio Mathilde 253 (with Charles Hayward) with the legendary composer-improviser Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith.

personnel

Catherine Sikora (saxophone), Ian Smith (trumpet) and Han-earl Park (guitar).

track listing

Topologically Correct Harry (16:10), 바르트 (8:03), Red Line Speed (24:20), Massimo’s Imagined Juxtapositions (11:40). Total duration: 60:13.

recording details

All music by Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park

Recorded live April 4, 2011 at The Roundy, Cork.
Recorded and mixed by Han-earl Park.
Artwork by Han-earl Park.

The recordings (Topologically Correct Harry, 바르트, Red Line Speed, and Massimo’s Imagined Juxtapositions) and artwork released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute the recordings to Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park, and attribute the artwork to Han-earl Park.

about the performers

Since making her way to New York City from West Cork, Ireland to study abstract improvisation, Catherine Sikora has become a well-known face and sound in New York creative music circles. She has worked with Elliott Sharp, Eric Mingus, Michael Evans, Matt Lavelle, Jeremy Bacon, François Grillot and Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber, among many others. Her undeniably unique approach sets her apart from everyone else, even when surrounded by the most original and creative voices in New York City. Sikora is a contributing writer to the book “Silent Solos-Improvisers Speak” (Buddy’s Knife Publishing, Köln, DE) and is currently working on producing a solo recording.

Ian Smith has performed with Evan Parker, John Stevens, Maggie Nicols, Lol Coxhill, Steve Beresford, Eddie Prévost, Greg Tate’s Burnt Sugar Arkestra, Reeves Gabrels, John Sinclair, Harris Eisenstadt and many others. In 2000 he recorded his second CD as a leader, Daybreak, with Derek Bailey, Veryan Weston, Gail Brand and Oren Marshall. His own trio, Trian, has played the London Experimental Music Festival and the Soho Jazz Festival. He also participated in a reformation of Cornelius Cardew’s Scratch Orchestra in 1994. He has collaborated with composer Roger Doyle, winner of the Bourges International Elecro-Acoustic Music Competition, and he has been featured on two instrumental tracks by the hip hop band Marxman. He toured the UK with Butch Morris’ London Skyscraper conduction project. He cofounded the London Improvisers’ Orchestra and The Gathering.

Improviser, guitarist and constructor Han-earl Park works within/from/around traditions of fuzzily idiomatic, on occasion experimental, mostly open improvised musics, sometimes engineering theater, sometimes inventing ritual. He feels the gravitational pull of collaborative, multi-authored contexts, and has performed in clubs, theaters, art galleries and concert halls in Austria, Denmark, Germany, England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and the USA. He is part of Mathilde 253 with Charles Hayward and Ian Smith, and is involved in ongoing collaborations with Bruce Coates, Franziska Schroeder, Alex Fiennes and Murray Campbell. He has recently performed with Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, Lol Coxhill, Pat Thomas, Paul Dunmall, Mark Sanders, Matana Roberts, Richard Barrett, Pauline Oliveros, Thomas Buckner and Kato Hideki. Festival appearances include Sonorities (Belfast), Sonic Acts (Amsterdam), dialogues festival (Edinburgh), and CEAIT Festival (California). His recordings have been released by labels including Slam Productions and DUNS Limited Edition.

Also by Han-earl Park and Catherine Sikora

CD cover of ‘Anomic Aphasia’ (SLAMCD 559) with Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora, Nick Didkovsky and Josh Sinton (artwork copyright 2015, Han-earl Park)

Anomic Aphasia (SLAMCD 559) [details…]

Performers: Han-earl Park (guitar), Catherine Sikora (tenor and soprano saxophones), Nick Didkovsky (guitar), and Josh Sinton (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet).

© 2015 Han-earl Park.
℗ 2015 SLAM Productions.

Also by Han-earl Park and Ian Smith

‘Mathilde 253’ (SLAMCD 528) CD cover (copyright 2010, Han-earl Park)

Mathilde 253 (SLAMCD 528) [details…]

Performers: Charles Hayward (drums, percussion and melodica), Han-earl Park (guitar) and Ian Smith (trumpet and flugelhorn) plus Lol Coxhill (saxophone).

© 2010 Han-earl Park.
℗ 2010 SLAM Productions.

Also available for download [more…]

‘A Little Brittle Music’ with Han-earl Park, Dominc Lash and Corey Mwamba (artwork copyright 2015, Han-earl Park)

A Little Brittle Music [details…]

Performers: Han-earl Park (guitar), Dominic Lash (double bass) and Corey Mwamba (vibraphone and flute).

© 2015 Han-earl Park. ℗ 2015 Park/Lash/Mwamba.

Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders: Dunmall-Park-Sanders (Birmingham, 02-15-11)

Dunmall-Park-Sanders (Birmingham, 02-15-11) [details…]

Performers: Paul Dunmall (saxophones and bagpipes), Han-earl Park (guitar) and Mark Sanders (drums).

(cc) 2013 Paul Dunmall/Han-earl Park/Mark Sanders.

Murray Campbell, Randy McKean with Han-earl Park, plus Gino Robair and Scott R. Looney: Gargantius Effect +1 +2 +3 (Nor Cal, 08-2011)

Gargantius Effect +1 +2 +3 (Nor Cal, 08-2011) [details…]

Performers: Murray Campbell (violins, oboe and cor anglais), Randy McKean (saxophone, clarinets and flutes) with Han-earl Park (guitar), plus Gino Robair (energized surfaces, voltage made audible) and Scott R. Looney (hyperpiano).

(cc) 2012 Murray Campbell/Randy McKean/Han-earl Park/Gino Robair/Scott R. Looney.

Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray: Park+Murray (Cork, 07-29-10)

Park+Murray (Cork, 07-29-10) [details…]

Performers: Han-earl Park (guitar) plus Marian Murray (violin).

(cc) 2012 Han-earl Park/Marian Murray.

Jin Sangtae, Han-earl Park and Jeffrey Weeter: Jin-Park-Weeter (Cork, 01–24–11)

Jin-Park-Weeter (Cork, 01-24-11) [details…]

Performers: Jin Sangtae (electronics), Han-earl Park (guitar) and Jeffrey Weeter (drums and electronics).

(cc) 2012 Jin Sangtae/Han-earl Park/Jeffrey Weeter.

Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder: Park-Schroeder (Cork, 03-26-09)

Park-Schroeder (Cork, 03-26-09) [details…]

Performers: Han-earl Park (guitar) and Franziska Schroeder (saxophone).

(cc) 2012 Han-earl Park/Franziska Schroeder.

updates

10-24-12: add recommended price and SLAMCD 528 info.
05-20-13: updated the ‘also available for download’ list, and add reviews.
10-07-15: add ‘Anomic Aphasia’ to discography.
11-01-15: add A Little Brittle Music to downloads list, and change currency from USD to EUR.

in preparation: Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park (Cork, 04–04–11)

artwork for Catherine Sikora, Ian Smith and Han-earl Park: Sikora-Smith-Park (Cork, 04-04-11)
Next download release from busterandfriends.com will be the recording of the April 4, 2011 performance by Catherine Sikora (saxophone), Ian Smith (trumpet) and Han-earl Park (guitar).

Unlike previous download releases, this one will be hosted at Bandcamp, and available as a ‘name your price’ album. You will still be able to download the release for free (name $0 as your price), but any payment will help support the performers and their work.

More info to follow…

Still available…

audio recordings: Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (Birmingham, 02–15–11)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Richard Scott (Berlin, 10–23–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray (Cork, 07–29–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder (Cork, 03–26–09)

Download of the Day at All About Jazz: Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders

Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (original photos: HeP by Stephanie Hough; and MS by Andrew Putler)
Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (original photos: HeP by Stephanie Hough; and MS by Andrew Putler)

Free jazz, in no uncertain terms. I don’t know what it is about Han-Earl’s groups’ sounds. Ten seconds in, I think to myself, “Man, this isn’t my thing.” But by the time the tune is over, I realize that I’m totally into it and enjoying it. If a musician can convert my ears within the span of one tune, in my eyes, that’s a sign of talent.

All About Jazz

All About Jazz features ‘shoapnxoe gutair dmurs a.ii’ by Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders as today’s Download of the Day! I’m again happy and honored to have a recording on AAJ’s download selection (previously featured: ‘Carrier’ with Richard Scott and ‘Chorale’ with Franziska Schroeder). Thanks to AAJ downloads editor Dave Sumner for selecting the recording, to Chris Trent for the recording and mastering work, and to Mike Hurley of Fizzle for hosting the performance at which the recording was made.

[Track at AAJ…] [High-quality download of the full performance…]

Happy New Year from io 0.0.1 beta++… kind of…

If io 0.0.1 beta++ could want, or express a desire, I imagine that it would want to wish all of you a happy arbitrary demarcation of time:

4G alt. (audio salutations from Han-earl Park and io 0.0.1 beta++) [mp3 audio]

io, however, cannot want, or express, anything…
io, however, cannot want, or express, anything…but Happy New Year from me!

about the audio recording:

Alternate take of track ‘4G’ from ‘io 0.0.1 beta++’ (SLAMCD 531). See below for actual excerpts from the CD.

io 0.0.1 beta++ (itself) and Han-earl Park (guitar).

Recorded on recorded August 19 2010 at C-ALTO Labs, Cork. Recorded and mixed by Han-earl Park. (Note that the track above is taken from an earlier, rough mix than the final CD tracks.)

//www.io001b.com/

Above recording (4G alt. (alternate take: “io 0.0.1 beta++” (SLAMCD 531))) released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute the recordings to Han-earl Park.

audio excerpts from SLAMCD 531:

Baroque and Renaissance (audio clip: io 0.0.1 beta++)
impressive synergy (audio clip: io 0.0.1 beta++)
standing alone (audio clip: io 0.0.1 beta++)

‘io 0.0.1 beta++ (SLAMCD 531) CD cover (copyright 2011, Han-earl Park)

‘io 0.0.1 beta++’ (SLAMCD 531) is available from SLAM Productions. [Details…]

personnel: io 0.0.1 beta++ (itself), Han-earl Park (guitar), Bruce Coates (alto and sopranino saxophones) and Franziska Schroeder (soprano saxophone).

© 2011 Han-earl Park.
℗ 2011 SLAM Productions.

arts council logo

The construction of io 0.0.1 beta++ has been made possible by the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland.

audio recordings: Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (Birmingham, 02–15–11)

Update: This recording has been rereleased! The new edition adds the option to download the recording in multiple formats including lossless. [Listen, download and more…]

The complete recording of the February 15, 2011 performance by Paul Dunmall (saxophones and bagpipes), Han-earl Park (guitar) and Mark Sanders (drums) is now available for download below.

Very proud to present these recordings; I feel privileged to have performed alongside these powerful musicians. Many thanks to Chris Trent for the recording, and Mike Hurley of Fizzle for hosting the performance.

Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (original photos: HeP by Stephanie Hough; and MS by Andrew Putler)
Paul Dunmall, Han-earl Park and Mark Sanders (original photos: HeP by Stephanie Hough; and MS by Andrew Putler)

details

Also available…

audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Richard Scott (Berlin, 10–23–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray (Cork, 07–29–10)
audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder (Cork, 03–26–09)

updates

10–12–12: withdraw tracks in anticipation of the rerelease.
11–13–12: add link to announcement.
01–12–13: new edition released! [Listen, download and more…]
01–31–13: corrected link.

Download of the Day at All About Jazz: Han-earl Park and Richard Scott

I’m happy and honored to again have a recording selected as Download of the Day at All About Jazz. ‘Carrier’ by myself and Richard Scott is AAJ’s featured download for today! Thanks to Dave Sumner who runs the series for selecting the recording, and for the heads up. [Download the complete session…]

audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Richard Scott (Berlin, 10–23–10)

Update: now available, newly remixed and remastered by Richard Scott, as a download release from Vicmod Records! [More info…] [Get it from Vicmod Records…]

The complete recording A track from the October 23, 2010 session by Han-earl Park and Richard Scott is now available for download below.

details

Han-earl Park (guitar) and Richard Scott (electronics).

Recorded on October 23, 2010 at Richard Scott’s studio, Berlin. Recorded and mixed by Richard Scott.

//www.busterandfriends.com/
http://richard-scott.net/

Above recordings (Cell, Catch | Pitch, Carrier, and Artillery) released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute the recordings to Han-earl Park and Richard Scott.

Still available…

The complete recording of the July 29, 2010 performance by Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray. [More…]

The complete recording of the March 26, 2009 performance by Franziska Schroeder and Han-earl Park. [More…]

updates

06–25–11: withdraw three tracks (Cell, Catch | Pitch, and Artillery).

12–06–11: add Vicmod Records release details.

audio recordings: Han-earl Park plus Marian Murray (Cork, 07–29–10)

Update: This recording has been rereleased! The new edition adds the option to download the recording in multiple formats including lossless. [Listen, download and more…]

The complete recording of the July 29, 2010 performance by Han-earl Park with Marian Murray is now available for download below.

details

Han-earl Park (guitar) plus Marian Murray (violin).

Recorded on July 29, 2010 at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork. Recorded and mixed by Han-earl Park.

//www.busterandfriends.com/

Above recordings (Snares, Sympathetic; Strokes and Screwballs; and Recursion, Closure) released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute the recordings to Han-earl Park (Snares, Sympathetic; and Recursion, Closure), and to Marian Murray and Han-earl Park (Strokes and Screwballs).

Still available…

updates

07–17–12: withdraw tracks in anticipation of the rerelease.
07–29–12: add link to teaser.
08–20–12: new edition released! [Listen, download and more…]

Download of the Day at All About Jazz

I’m very happy and honored to be featured as Download of the Day at All About Jazz. ‘Chorale’ by Franziska Schroeder and myself is All About Jazz’ featured download for today! (Although mistakenly attributed to another recording by Paul Dunmall and myself; sorry Franziska.) [Download the rest of the performance…]

audio recordings: Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder (Cork, 03–26–09)

Update: This recording has been rereleased! The new edition adds liner notes by Áine Sheil, and the option to download the recording in multiple formats including lossless. [Listen, download and more…]

The complete recording of the March 26, 2009 performance by Franziska Schroeder and myself is now available for download below.

I’m very happy to finally make these available. In many respects, all my playing subsequent to this duet has been in response to, and a follow-up on, the implications of this performance. Big thanks to Franziska for sharing the journey on this one.

details

Han-earl Park (guitar) and Franziska Schroeder (saxophone).

Recorded on March 26, 2009 at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork. Recorded and mixed by Han-earl Park.

//www.busterandfriends.com/
http://www.sarc.qub.ac.uk/~fschroeder/

Above recordings (Chorale, Scatter and Nova) released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute the recordings to Han-earl Park and Franziska Schroeder.

updates

04–22–12: withdraw tracks in anticipation of the rerelease.
06–12–12: new edition released! [Listen, download and more…]

io 0.0.1 beta++ and Stet Lab updates

Site updates to io 0.0.1 beta++ and Stet Lab.

Stet Lab

12–12–08: Audio recordings of the December 2008 Lab (with Bruce Coates, Sarah O’Halloran, Neil O’Loghlan, Han-earl Park and others) are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. [More info…]

The first Lab of 2009 will take place on January 12th [details…].

io 0.0.1 beta++

12–15–08: Audio recordings from the December 8th 2008 beta tests with saxophonist Bruce Coates are available. Reports to follow…