August 15, 2006
Mei Han and Paul Plimley | UME--Improvisations for Zheng and Piano |Za Discs | China
Composer/improviser Jonathan Chen sends us this review of the new collaboration between zheng (Chinese zither) player Mei Han and pianist Paul Plimley:
When listening to the new disc by Mai Han and Paul Plimley it is surprising how much their improvisations sound like compositions. The improvisations are so well crafted and balanced that it is as if each musician is instantaneously composing a part that fits perfectly with the other. This is true from the first track "Terra Mova" to the last track "Interval of the Avatar."
"Silken Steel" is a mixture of the traditional chords and sounds of the zheng with straight ahead jazz chords played by the piano. The improvising in this track shifts back and forth between these styles. At certain moments in the CD, the similarities in sound between the piano and the zheng are such that it is difficult to tell them apart. These moments are countered by the bending of the zheng strings, which is done in such a way that the sound is often more like a blues guitar than a traditional Chinese instrument. It is crucial that Plimley’s sound is restrained during the more intense zheng playing. Plimley maintains a reserved sound while Han dives into an uninhibited barrage of bending and vigorous strumming in "Echos of Bela," making you wish that the great banjo virtuoso would challenge his instrument in such a physical way.
In "Blue Now," the melodic content is anything but blue. Both players are bursting with energy. Plimley’s hands, though well under control, fly all over the keyboard while Han meticulously strums chords on the zheng. The slower, contemplative Matter into Waves explores a more western classical sound, though there are occasionally jazz elements such as descending chords in the piano echoed by the zheng. The final track "Interval of the Avatar", continues in the classical vein with elements of jazz noticeable in the arpeggios played by either instrument.
While this recording demonstrates a more pitch-oriented approach to improvising, the ideas are so unique and inventive that an exploration of timbre is not missed, and in this case could even be considered an attribute. All in all, UME is a beautiful collection of improvisations made by two excellent musicians --well worth having in your collection.