Winnipeg Free Press reviews THE SUSTAIN OF MEMORY

"...a new step in the musical and compositional development of contemporary jazz—or of music generally"

Thanks to Keith Black for the review (full text below).

Review by Keith Black
Winnipeg Free Press

Kevin Sun
The Sustain of Memory (Endectomorph Music)

This is an ambitious double album by a musician who is creating serious buzz in the jazz community. Kevin Sun plays tenor sax and clarinet, but it is as much the compositional depth of his music as his acknowledged musicianship that has built the buzz.

This two-CD release has shifting personnel between trio and quartet as it moves through three suites, one of which takes up the entire second disc. The Middle of Tensions and Circle, Line make up the first disc, with The Rigors of Love the second. Each suite has numerous parts that segue into the next with ease.

While clearly avant-garde jazz, there is a wonderful sense of melody and flow of ideas. There is nothing jarringly harsh in the dissonance. Dana Saul’s piano is delicate, quite restrained and beautiful throughout — especially in The Middle of Tensions: IV — as the instruments slide and move around each other so the written and improvised sections become indiscernible.

Circle, Line has shorter pieces and is more spirited than the other two suites. Sun plays clarinet exclusively on The Rigors of Love, which has three much longer sections. It is generally more reflective in mood, with the clarinet offering a different overall sound, along with the trumpet of Adam O’Farrill.

This release could almost be a new step in the musical and compositional development of contemporary jazz — or of music generally, for that matter. Whether or not you appreciate this style of music, remember the name Kevin Sun. You will hear it again.

★★★★1/2

STREAM THESE: The Middle of Tensions: IV; Circle, Line: III; The Rigors of Love: II