40th Anniversary of S. Korean spiritual jazz high-water mark. Originally recorded in 1978 and released in '79, Plays Arirang & Other Assorted Classics was considered the first recording of modern bop done by Korean musicians. The album blends free and modal jazz elements within a Korean folk framework, exploring soul jazz and boogaloo patterns that make the album sound like one of the finer Strata East or Black Jazz titles with hints of David Axelrod's drum breaks. As virtually no other jazz recordings were taking place at the time in Korea, the album was recorded in a rock band / gayo style, which has resulted in a unique work that sounds unlike anything you've likely heard before. If the opening track "Arirang" is any indication, this album is a sprawling odyssey of jazz gold. Original copies of this record fetch close to $1,000 if you can find a clean copy, so this reissue is the next best thing. 7 Tracks in total pressed onto translucent blue vinyl. Includes extensive liner notes on 12 page booklet in English + Korean and housed in a gatefold sleeve with Obi-strip. Don't sleep!
- translucent blue vinyl
- includes extensive liner notes including rarely seen photos
- Beat Ball Music 2018
reviewed by RBG 12/2018