Identity

This is both a fascinating and a deeply beautiful recording by a unique ensemble. Led by trombonist and arranger Peter Lin, the Asian American & Pacific Islander Collective has put together a program of jazz arrangements of both traditional Asian songs and melodies and original compositions by members of the group. There are tunes made popular by anime soundtracks, a traditional Filipino song, a Korean song for the lunar new year, a blues-based Vietnamese pop song (sung beautifully by My Tâm Huynh, whose vocals feature on three tracks), and more — all of them arranged in ways that both pay respectful homage to the music's variety of cultural histories and also swing really, really hard. The group nails that elusive balance between tight and loose, and the individual players are all both virtuosic and fun to listen to. I recommend this one strongly to all jazz collections.