What distinguishes Jason Moran from his peers is his scope and ambition. A riveting pianist, Moran is also a conceptualist, dedicated to expanding the jazz tradition by incorporating aspects of contemporary musical culture, be it hip-hop, new music, or any of the disparate points between. On Artist in Residence Moran makes daring use of spoken-word samples and arresting rhythms, among other devices, to set off his highly personal pianism.

The original recordings for UHMM were made by Martin Kreyssig during an interview between Richard Deacon and Dr. Julian Heynen while sitting on a bandstand in the Stadtpark, Krefeld, Germany on May 13, 1991. The interview was used in the 16mm film 'The Interior is always more difficult' by Martin Kreyssig on the architecture of Mies van der Rohe and the exhibition of Richard Deacon, Museum Haus Esters and Museum Haus Lange, Krefeld, May 12 to July 14, 1991. Uhmm is formed from the material not used in that film.

Artist Roni Horn performs a 61 minute monologue reading from her writings on water.

Two songs from reknowned sculptor Walter De Maria featuring a tribal drumming pattern and the sounds of nature. The two pieces included were originally recorded in 1964 and 1968; this CD was pressed on the occasion of a later exhibition of De Maria's work.