The Near East Quartet, which makes its ECM debut with this album, has been a force in Korean music since 2010, juxtaposing elements of contemporary jazz and traditional Korean music with pure sound exploration to create new forms.

Saxophonist and clarinettist Sungjae Son and guitarist Suwuk Chung have been members from the outset, and the group has been strengthened with the integration of pansori singer Yulhee Kim and highly creative drummer Soojin Suh. The NEQ plays five compositions by Sungjae Son and three Korean traditional, on one of which they are joined on Korean percussion by Sori Choi.

Near East Quartet was recorded in Seoul, and mixed at Studios La Buissonne by Nicolas Baillard, Manfred Eicher and album producer Sun Chung.

Tracklisting:
1. Ewah
2. Mot
3. Baram
4. Galggabuda
5. Garam
6. Pa:do
7. Ebyul
8. Jinyang