Narada Records has a wonderful history of acoustic piano solo artists, and
Jang fits in tenderly between the traditions of
David Lanz and Michael Jones -- that is sweet, graceful, and lush, though not quite as dramatic and catchy as the pop minded
Lanz, and far more focused than Jones' ten minute arias. Seemingly equally inspired by classical and pop,
Jang focuses on gentle meditations that either sweep through the high end of the piano ("Lily Pond") or reflect a more brooding mood with hypnotic lower register chord progressions ("Fountain"). Tunes like "Wishing Well" balance a higher register melody with a darker harmony line, creating an interesting point-counterpoint. There's the notion on some pieces that
Jang has simply cast a tiny pebble into a musical pool and used her hands to dance on the ripples; this theme is borne out through titles which all allude to water, including "Spring Shower," "Stream," "Waterdance," "Lagoon," and "Riverside." This is the perfect CD for quiet reflection and meditation. ~ Jonathan Widran