John Chin - Blackout Conception (2005)

Another pianist from the Fresh Sound/New Talent stable of emerging jazz artists, John Chin has produced a fine debut CD emphasizing modern mainstream jazz, splitting time between interpreting music written by others and composing original material. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, grew up in Los Angeles, studied music at North Texas State and Rutgers Universities, and as of this debut effort resides in Brooklyn. Chin is a fine musician, with a good amount of wit, charm, literacy, and solid musicianship. As with many contemporary jazz pianists, he comes out of the post-Bill Evans school, in tune with such recent contemporaries as Kenny Kirkland, Joey Calderazzo, and Frank Kimbrough, but his most telling influence is that of virtuoso Kenny Barron. Two tracks are lesser-known Barron compositions, the pretty and pristine waltz "Lullaby" and a deliberate, modified funky New Orleans shuffle titled "Joanne Julia," both featuring the easygoing and lyrical tenor sax work of Mark Turner in quartet settings. Turner's quite pleasant and unfettered sound is also present on the title track, a spirit waltz with a contradictory title, and the slow drifting "After Crash." Chin leads a trio without Turner for a well-rendered and reinvented, loping take on the standard "Some Other Time," the slow ballad "Passion Flower" (which is clearly a Chin favorite), and another spirit ballad, "I Won't Argue with You." The title of this recording might scare listeners, but shouldn't. This is a thoughtful, intelligent, enjoyable date that marks Chin's future as a developing artist, and aligns him with peers such as Aaron Goldberg, Aaron Parks, Bryn Roberts, George Colligan, Toru Dodo, Robert Glasper, and Danny Grissett. © Michael G. Nastos