{"id":11172,"date":"2025-08-26T23:57:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T04:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/?p=11172"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:53:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T14:53:15","slug":"strange-heavens-oh-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/strange-heavens-oh-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Linda May Han Oh\u2019s \u2018Strange Heavens\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The comparison of a familiar hell to a strange heaven drives Australian-born bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh\u2019s thinking for her trio album <em>Strange Heavens<\/em> (Biophilia, 2025). It is far too easy to be lulled by society&nbsp; into complacency and benign acceptance of social and political conditions. Strange Heavens stands opposed to this status quo. However, the record is by no means a protest album, instead aimed toward inspiration, resilience, and healing. A quote by the leader best captures her thoughts on the album: \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of worry and anxiety over the new presidential administration and issues like gun violence or healthcare, and I believe that\u2019s a symptom of embracing familiar hells, especially here in America. This is the way things have been for so long; the idea of change can be frightening. But we have to figure out how we\u2019re going to build a better world for our kids.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The unusual chordless trio configuration of bass, drums, and trumpet returns Oh to the format of her debut, <em>Entry<\/em> (self-release, 2009), with returning member Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet. Where Obed Calvaire provided drums on the older album, Strange Heavens finds Tyshawn Sorey in that role. All three of the artists in the trio are at the top tier of Creative Music in terms of technique, listening, and working within the trio format.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"lyte-wrapper fourthree\" style=\"width:420px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_f2IjU0DjUfE\"><div id=\"lyte_f2IjU0DjUfE\" data-src=\"\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/f2IjU0DjUfE\/hqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f2IjU0DjUfE\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/f2IjU0DjUfE\/0.jpg?resize=420%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"YouTube video thumbnail\" width=\"420\" height=\"295\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:420px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh\u2019s earthy bass leads into opener \u201cPortal,\u201d where she is soon joined by her bandmates. Sorey establishes a tight groove while Akinmusire\u2019s expressive, agitated trumpet, fades to a gurgling whimper by the end,&nbsp; conveying the stress we often feel from social media. \u201cStrange Heavens\u201d unfolds at a much slower pace. It is a rumination on the current state, with Akinmusire initially in the lower registers while Oh plucks a declarative solo and Sorey beats in a steady hand-clap-like rhythm. The trumpeter embraces brighter tones in the latter half, perhaps signifying hope.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLiving Proof,\u201d taking inspiration from stories of self-improvement, by contrast, plays at a brisk pace. In their unique way, the trio swings hard here. The group returns to calmer tones on \u201cAcapella,\u201d with Akinmusire\u2019s beautiful, sustained tones in reflection on Joni Mitchell\u2019s \u201cThe Fiddle and the Drum,\u201d as a \u201chealing anthem\u201d for families. The tempo revs up for \u201cThe Sweetest Water\u201d as Oh delivers a remarkable solo. The piece has two sections:&nbsp; the first reflects the value of community and the second on the need for grit and struggle, as conveyed by the angst and agitation of the trumpet. Sorey lays down an infectious, upbeat groove on \u201cNoise Machinery,\u201d meant to rise above the clamor of everyday life. Akinmusire soars while Oh is funky and robustly rugged.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"lyte-wrapper fourthree\" style=\"width:420px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_PKKRXYlpCBU\"><div id=\"lyte_PKKRXYlpCBU\" data-src=\"\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/PKKRXYlpCBU\/hqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PKKRXYlpCBU\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/PKKRXYlpCBU\/0.jpg?resize=420%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"YouTube video thumbnail\" width=\"420\" height=\"295\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:420px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The acute listening and interplay of the trio arguably reach their peak in a four-song suite consisting of \u201cHome,\u201d \u201cPaperbirds,\u201d \u201cFolk Song,\u201d and \u201cWork Song.\u201d Each draws on images from Australian author Shaun Tan\u2019s wordless graphic novel <em>The Arrival<\/em> (Hodder Children\u2019s, 2006). Listen closely for the masterful techniques from each member &#8211; Akinmusire in \u201cHome,\u201d Sorey and Oh in \u201cPaperbirds,\u201d&nbsp; Oh\u2019s bowed bass lies in harmony with the trumpet in \u201cFolk Song,\u201d and the riveting exchanges between Akinmusire and Sorey in \u201cWork Song.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final two pieces honor female composers: Geri Allen\u2019s \u201cSkin\u201d and Melba Liston\u2019s \u201cJust Waiting.\u201d Akinmusire dazzles in the former. The latter, as its title suggests, is more ruminative and features a wooden-sounding bass solo, a reflective trumpet, and delicate brushwork from Sorey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"lyte-wrapper fourthree\" style=\"width:420px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_Dnt624NuckY\"><div id=\"lyte_Dnt624NuckY\" data-src=\"\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Dnt624NuckY\/hqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Dnt624NuckY\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Dnt624NuckY\/0.jpg?resize=420%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"YouTube video thumbnail\" width=\"420\" height=\"295\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:420px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not only the masterful playing and interplay, but it is their fiery, graceful, and delicate passages that have us yearning, feeling anger, and calmly reflecting. Trio rendering does not get any better than <em>Strange Heavens<\/em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018<strong><em>Strange Heavens\u2019 is out now on Biophilia Records. It can be purchased <a href=\"https:\/\/lindamayhanoh.bandcamp.com\/album\/strange-heavens\">on Bandcamp.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Photo credit: Shervin Lainez<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The comparison of a familiar hell to a strange heaven drives Australian-born bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh\u2019s thinking for her trio album Strange Heavens (Biophilia, 2025). It is far too easy to be lulled by society&nbsp; into complacency and benign acceptance of social and political conditions. Strange Heavens stands opposed to this status [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":11174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"iawp_total_views":265,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[477,1287,67,1284,1286,1285,115],"class_list":["post-11172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-ambrose-akinmusire","tag-biophilia-records","tag-jazz","tag-linda-may-han-oh","tag-strange-heavens","tag-trio","tag-tyshawn-sorey"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1162.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peRkRR-2Uc","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1998,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/shepherd-2019-list\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":0},"title":"Rob Shepherd\u2019s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019","author":"Rob Shepherd","date":"November 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As the PostGenre Team is working on their list(s) of Favorites from 2020, here is a flashback to Rob Shepherd's 2019 list. This list originally appeared at Nextbop. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from 2019 is the number of artists adapting music from the past into something new. Many of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Lists&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Lists","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/lists\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/BeFunky-collage-4.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/BeFunky-collage-4.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/BeFunky-collage-4.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/BeFunky-collage-4.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11411,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/review-sarah-elizabeth-charless-dawn\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":1},"title":"Review: Sarah Elizabeth Charles\u2019s \u2018Dawn\u2019","author":"Jim Hynes","date":"October 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"While it\u2019s been done in pop, appearing noticeably pregnant on an album cover is a rarity for improvisation-based music. Indeed, vocalist and composer Sarah Elizabeth Charles\u2019 Dawn (Ropeadope, 2025) may be one of the first. The album\u2019s cover is striking - the artist in a stunning silhouette, leaving no doubt\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Album Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Album Reviews","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_1935.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_1935.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_1935.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_1935.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3587,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/anthony-dean-harris-favorite-albums-of-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":2},"title":"Anthony Dean-Harris\u2019 Favorite Albums of 2021","author":"Anthony Dean-Harris","date":"December 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"[Editor\u2019s Note: We are excited to have Anthony Dean-Harris join us again for our year-end lists to share his 25 favorite \"jazz\" albums and 10 \"other\" albums of 2021. Anthony is a skilled writer whose credits include being a contributor to Downbeat and serving as the former Editor-in-Chief of Nextbop.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Best of Lists&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Best of Lists","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/lists-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-8.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-8.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-8.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-8.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4818,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/review-tyshawn-sorey-trios-mesmerism\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":3},"title":"Review: Tyshawn Sorey Trio\u2019s \u2018Mesmerism\u2019","author":"John Chacona","date":"July 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Did any artist have a better 2021 than Tyshawn Sorey? The 2017 MacArthur Fellow was the subject of a New York Times Magazine profile, premiered recordings of two large ensemble compositions, and received acclaim for albums with saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh, DJ\/producer King Britt. Not to mention his role in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Album Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Album Reviews","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/882c1d56-da2d-49c7-a2c8-5afb42cb944c.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/882c1d56-da2d-49c7-a2c8-5afb42cb944c.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/882c1d56-da2d-49c7-a2c8-5afb42cb944c.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/882c1d56-da2d-49c7-a2c8-5afb42cb944c.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11351,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/review-trio-of-bloom\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":4},"title":"Review: \u2018Trio of Bloom\u2019 with Nels Cline, Craig Taborn, and Marcus Gilmore","author":"Jim Hynes","date":"September 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Trio of Bloom (Pyroclastic, 2025) is the first meeting of three titans of creative music, artists to whom genres and boundaries hold little meaning. You can regularly find each of them in conventional or edgy sessions, or within the turf that lies between. The term in the promotional notes is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Album Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Album Reviews","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_1731.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_1731.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_1731.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_1731.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3523,"url":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/postgenres-best-of-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":11172,"position":5},"title":"PostGenre&#8217;s Best of 2021","author":"PostGenre Writing Staff","date":"December 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Immediately following the year that artificially paused many releases, in 2021, the floodgates broke loose. It was nearly impossible to keep track of all recordings released between this Thanksgiving and the prior one. And, even ignoring this, the quality and volume made it especially difficult to rank even the ones\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Best of Lists&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Best of Lists","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/category\/lists-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-7.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-7.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-7.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/BeFunky-collage-7.jpg?fit=750%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11172"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11176,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11172\/revisions\/11176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}