2nd

No, it's not a misprint. And [su:m] are more than the sum of their parts. They are a classy female duo of Park Jiha and Seo Jungmin, and they performed to a rapturous audience at WOMAD Charlton Park last summer. Park plays various wind instruments including saenghwang (bamboo mouth organ) and piri (oboe) and also sings, while Seo plays the 25-string gayageum (zither). They are both graduates of Korea's National University of Arts and compose original music for their essentially classical instruments. This is their second album (in case the title left you in any doubt).

The opening ‘Intro’ is like a call to attention, with the strident sound of a reedy oboe, gong and gayageum. Several of the tracks seem to be inspired by nature in the form of rain, mist and twilight. ‘Passing Rain’ is a five-minute shower, full of fast-moving textures featuring only stringed instruments; ‘Gazing at a Tree in the Mist’ features impressive gayageum playing; while ‘Innermost Encounter III’ goes into a darker world of emotions. But probably the most instantly appealing track is a playful version of the Korean folk song ‘Arirang’, retitled ‘Urban Ari’. [su:m] are a talented and sophisticated pair.