Bird’s Eye
Pyroclastic, 2024
8/10
The atypical saxophonist and composer David Leon blends Afro-Cuban and traditional Korean sounds into these highly unclassifiable 10 songs.
“You Won’t Find It By Yourself” starts the listen with Leon’s bright and mesmerizing sax that’s complemented by frisky drums and plucked bass for the unpredictable opener, and “Ay-ya” follows with plenty of soul and adventurousness via the firm brass and strategic drums.
Moving along, the intimate versus animated gestures of “to speak in flowers” manipulates sounds with a curious delivery, while “Secret Footshake” recruits marching band style drumming to a distinct minimalism of percussive intrigue.
Approaching the end, the nearly sci-fi gestures of “Secret Handshake” carry a cinematic appeal from another dimension, and “Palmetto” exits with the cozy sax emitting beauty, mystery and agility.
A truly iconoclastic outing that forges a unique rhythm, DoYoen Kim’s gayagum and Lesley Mok’s percussion are both employed with worldly, artistic and unforgettable ideas that revolve around progressive jazz.