PULSE

March, 1996

POET'S BEAT

Jazz Report '96

The Far East Side Band
Urban Archaeology
(Victo)

Representing Korean, Japanese-American, and African American heritages, this multicultural quartet uses unorthodox tonalities and a fresh compositional viewpoint to escape the geographical gravitational pull of "conventional" ethnic music and jazz. Led by electric violinist Jason Kao Hwang, they explore similarities between free jazz improvisation and traditional Asian music, combining haunting brass, wind and string sonorities via subterranean tuba, shadowy shakuhachi, and twanging kayagum (a Korean zither). Though the sparse textures and gradual flow of microtones and percussive thwacks draws upon the classical restraint of Korean and Japanese music, subtle synthesizer work and bluesy or slashing violin electronics add a post-modern edge.

**** A.L.