Music critic Neville Roberts from the UK writing for “Reel to Reel Rambler” discusses Yarlung’s important mission, “Jung-A Lee,” “Yuko Mabuchi Trio” and “Dialoghi.”
Neville Roberts
Yarlung Records isn’t just about producing top quality audio recordings, it’s equally focused on supporting its growing list of young musicians. …profits from the sale of the recordings, plus donations from supporters and recording underwriters, are re-invested in supporting emerging young musicians. The 501(c)(3) tax-exempt arm of the organization, Yarlung Artists, raises money to support these young musicians as they begin their performance careers. The company’s board of directors, executive producers and special advisers help Yarlung to record, market and distribute debut albums for selected young concert artists to help them gain stature and visibility with their audiences, critics and peers. Bob notes on his website that artists like Yo Yo Ma and Martha Argerich gained worldwide acclaim through the sale of CDs, LPs and downloads, and he maintains that a great recording can make all the difference to a young performer’s career.
[Writing about Dialoghi, Neville compares formats:] …the 45rpm 180g vinyl takes the realism and presence in my listening room to new heights….The musicians are of course top-class and it’s worth noting that this recording proved to be important in the future development of both Elinor Frey’s and David Fung’s careers.
…composer and pianist Yuko’s jazz performances on the piano are remarkably mature. Her rapid single-note runs are impeccably executed. There is something there for all jazz aficionados with compositions from Cole Porter, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington and Yuko herself. The performances benefit from an exceptionally realistic recording that stands out for its in-the-room ambience and tonal clarity. As with “Dialoghi,” the presence and realism of this recording is uncannily true.
As for the lovely Jung-A Lee’s playing, it’s both masterful and effortless. She captures the individual atmosphere of each of the pieces in this varied repertoire. The fun and amusing “Woods and Brooks…” is cheerful and yet pastoral…. The cheeky “Hamburger Totentanz…” is fun and vivacious, while the tuneful “Carrillon de Westminster” is both powerful and stately. “Toccata” has a full sound – which Bob Attiyeh describes as having a “Telarc Oomph” factor! For me, it’s not only the “Toccata” that demonstrates this, many other tracks do as well, including the splendid Buxtehude and the Bach – and indeed the Jung-A Lee composition with its powerful and majestic finale that has my woofers massaging my kneecaps! …this set of tapes is certainly one of the finest organ recordings I’ve ever heard.
Every word of Mr. Roberts’ article is here. Thank you Mr. Roberts!