About

- A TAV Essential Listening Album -

One of Singapore's most celebrated jazz composers stuns on his 2017 sophomore album, Tales They Told Me. Led by Manhattan School of Music graduate Chok Kerong on the Hammond organ and piano, and accompanied by his esteemed contemporaries, guitarist Andrew Lim and drummer Soh Wen Ming - this smooth trio displays luminous synergy on eight genre-bending tracks that imbue straight-ahead jazz, Latin and swing with hues of neo-soul, R&B, blues and pop.

While Chok made a name for himself as a pivotal part of Charlie Lim’s band, and with his ambitious classical chamber ensemble ELEVEN, Tales They Told Me is where he truly shines as both a soloist and bandleader. Warm, fuss-free and subtly absorbing - this record is a must-have within the Singaporean jazz sphere. - The Analog Vault

“Tales They Told Me is an unabashed organ date and excels in that regard, it’s also an absorbing look into the process of three closely linked players — a musical diary, you could say, of Chok and the group as a unit with shared musical and human values. The advanced post-bop sensibility of Good Company remains present in Chok’s playing, but his trio language is more steeped in the blues, grounded in groove.

In the jazz sphere, adds Chok, “I’ve been influenced by Herbie Hancock, Mulgrew Miller, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Kirkland, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, Larry Young, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Michael Brecker, Joe Henderson, Bud Powell, Jelly Roll Morton, Bobby Broom, Sonny Rollins and Fats Waller. Pop music of the ’80s and ’90s was also part of the mix. The tunes on this album reflect connections I’ve made between all my influences, as well as some shifting priorities in the way I approach music. I wanted to simplify things a bit more, and focus on writing melodies and harmonies that were to the point — things I wanted to hear more as a music listener and fan.” – Bandcamp

“The Charlie Lim collaborator has never been one to rest on his laurels, inviting fellow musicians along experimental paths that result in unconventional and genre-bending jazz compositions — brought up as a fan of R&B, the pianist's skills have transcended the worlds of jazz, soul and classical chamber, especially with his ambitious piece of work ELEVEN, which was debuted in 2015. He's back this year with a brand new studio effort, Tales They Told Me, which has allowed Chok to write and record compositions that continue his expressive streak, infusing shades of blues, pop, and Brazilian music into the mix. Recorded with his Organ Trio — rounded up by Andrew Lim (guitar) and Soh Wen Ming (drums) — the upcoming album promises a hefty amount of contemporary jazz brilliance." – Bandwagon Singapore

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Label: Self-released
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Singapore
Reissued: 2017
Genre: Jazz, Contemporary Jazz
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File under: From Singapore // Jazz - Piano & Organ