Album Reviews

Paik Byung-dong

'Byung-dong Paik & Hwaum Chamber'

Sony BMG

For the past 50 years, Paik Byung-dong had been at the forefront of contemporary classical music in Korea. A disciple of the world-renowned Isang Yun (1917-1995), the 71-year-old composer opened a new musical horizon with his sharp intuition and warm lyricism.

In 2006, Paik had presented his works from the 1980s to his most recent creations through recitals and was named ``Artist of the Year.'' In his new album, Hwaum Chamber Orchestra brings to life five pieces that poeticize Paik the artist and the individual.

Paik explains that in ``Yeolmok'' (1982), string instruments harmonize to create a heavy, drooping sound that evokes muddy waters passing by yeolmok, or the neck of the rapids, while the three movements of ``Trilogy'' (2006) paint of a portrait of his past, present and future.

- LEE HYO-WON

Kate Royal Debut Album

Kate Royal & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

EMI Classics

Lyric soprano Kate Royal captivated Britain through operas and recitals and finally brings a debut album that captures her ``rare loveliness'' (The Sunday Times). Under the baton of Edward Gardner and with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra, the 29-year-old rising star brings an elegant selection of songs and arias.

The track includes selections from Canteloube's ``Chants d'Auvergne,'' Delibes's popular ``Chanson espagnole'' from ``Les Filles De Cadix,'' arias from Stravinsky's ``The Rake's Progress,'' ``Lieder'' by Richard Strauss and Rodrigo's beautiful ``Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios.''

``Kate Royal's warm, unblemished tone and refined, shapely phrasing are a highlight of this world premiere recording,'' commented Richard Wigmore of the prestigious Gramophone magazine, and the Royal's album would satisfy those wishing to discover a new voice.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

`100 Days, 100 Nights'

Daptone

The record-label house band is a charming, archaic institution. Think Motown and the Funk Brothers, Stax and Booker T & the MGs and Sugarhill.

Now think Daptone and the Dap-Kings, the hottest soul combo going thanks to high-profile gigs this year on albums by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson. The Dap-Kings' main job, though, is backing Brooklyn soul singer Sharon Jones.

She's the levelheaded flip side to Winehouse's boozy dilettante, digging into vintage-sounding soul grooves with the deeply felt passion of a true believer. Her band wrote tunes for Jones to sing in a robust voice edged with been-there grit, and she offers up powerhouse vocals over swinging horns on ``Tell Me'' and weaves her way through scratchy funk guitar on ``Be Easy.''

Like many soul singers, Jones came up singing in church, and she balances secular with sacred on a few tunes here. Trebly guitar and low, moaning horns frame her pleas on ``Humble Me,'' and she strikes a determined note on ``Answer Me'' with a request for help from on high.

-Eric R. Danton

Distributed by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service