Identity

The trombonist Peter Lin is joined by the AAPI Jazz Collective for these 11 cultured jazz tracks that explore identity and how it relates to creative work and tradition.

The cautious and warm spirit of "Emperor's Stride" starts the listen with Weng-Ting Wu's lively drumming and Erena Terakubo's soaring sax adding to the building climate, and "Alishan Girl" follows with Lin's soulful trombone and Mike Bond's flowing keys that suit the playful nature.

In the middle, "Anh Dau Em Do" welcomes Mỹ Tâm Huynh's expressive pipes to the rock influenced album highlight, while "Magpie's New Years Day" is a scrappy and dynamic moment of melodic and rich jazz that benefits much from Daseul Kim's bass acrobatics.

Near the end, "Moonlight Densetsu" brings Huynh's colorful pipes back amid Brandon Choi's well timed trumpet, and "Beo Dat May Troi" exits with balladry via the poetic singing, gentle keys, cozy trombone and dreaminess.

AAPI are versed in classic and traditional Asian songs, and their worldly version of jazz and knack for grooves adds even more allure to this body of work.