Zen Of Glenn
Iridium, 2025
9/10
The legendary Asian American jazz artist Glenn Horiuchi sees his work preserved by an all star cast who pay homage to him via the free jazz and avant-garde listen.
The playful mood of “Mochi Groove” starts the listen with Erika Oba’s animated flute and Chris Trinidad’s bouncy bass ukulele, and “Dreamwaters” follows with Helen Palma’s gorgeous voice amid Oba’s warm keys and Trinidad’s cozy bass.
Further along, “Tear Dem Walls” benefits from Carrie Jahde’s thumping drums and Palma’s animated voice alongside the stylish rhythm section, while “Oxnard Beet” places Oba on piccolo and Trinidad on chopstick bass for the mesmerizing climate.
“Issei Spirit” and “Dew Drop” exit the listen. The former blends the flute and synth bass in a more bare and unpredictable bout, and the latter allows for Wong’s inimitable tenor sax to shine alongside Palma’s spoken word.
Horiuchi’s work is illuminated well courtesy of arrangements by Wong, and the excellent players on hand help draw parallels to the greatness of Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk and Joseph Jarman.
Travels well with: Chris Trinidad- Certain Times; Francis Wong- Wong Works