The educated listener is well aware that music is comprised of three main elements: melody, harmony and rhythm. Melody and rhythm more or less speak for themselves and of course constitute most of non-Western music since the beginning of time. Concerning harmony in the classical field if we merely mention Bach, Beethoven and Schoenberg, we see a clear evolution of harmonic thinking. In jazz, Jelly Roll Morton, Bird and Trane pretty much cover the same ground. What is it that places harmony in such an important position to many jazz musicians? On this recording by pianist Tim Sund, we see why the sophisticated use of harmony is so artistically enriching. What Tim has done through his arrangements and compositions is exactly what the intelligent use of harmony is supposed to do. That is to raise the emotional palette up to a very fine and subtle level. To simplify, colors are not just red and blue but shades of magenta and turquoise, feelings are not just happy or sad, but become more complicated and detailed in nuance. In fact, the Harvard Guide to Music states that harmony is "color modification". Through diligent studies over the years since I first met him, Tim Sund has refined and personalized the use of harmony to a very high level. With first class musician.s who play together in an almost seamless interactive manner and the great writing, the listener is subject to a feast of moods, passion and feeling. Stylistically, the music covers the gamut including pedal point harmony .set in an eighth note feel (Lost Hills Road); straight ahead chord change jazz (... In the Traffic); rubato ambiance (Erilinda); 11/4 meter and free time (Traps): and throughout a good deal of contrapuntal writing. There is no question that Tim has studied both the classical as well as jazz area and absorbed much from both. Again, it is the writing that i.s most impressive non-cliched and personal. The rhythm section plays together with a joy and excitement especially when you hear the intensity rising for a given soloist. Check out in Ananta how from the tenor through the violin solo you can really feel the excitement in the air! What Tim Sund and his stellar peers have done is use their influences to build a statement that reflects their own musical and artistic feeling. This is exactly what a young artist is supposed to do - absorb, personalize and continue to individualize the art form. You will be greatly impressed by this fine presentation, which has a maturity way beyond the years of the participants.
David Liebman Feb 17, 1998 Stroudsburg, PA USA