Quartetto Trevi feat. Max Ionata - Night Walk

Label: Norma Blu/Pony Canyon
Released: October 2009

The latest release on the Norma Blu imprint is another band assembled by producer Paolo Scotti, Quartetto Trevi. Led by top Italin tenor sax player Max Ionata, the foursome also features Roberto Tarenzi on piano, Dario Rosciglione on double bass and Marcello di Leonardo on drums, and together they deliver ten tracks that blend elements of modal, bop and European jazz that make up a great album of modern Italian jazz.

The album features a mixture of covers and tunes composed by either Ionata or Tarenzi, and right from the opening bars of Trevi's Theme, you just know you're in for a treat, a superb jazz waltz with a great main riff and some awesome soloing from Ionata and Tarenzi. This is followed by the title track, another top tune that kicks off with some insistent bass rhythms before the main sax riff comes in for a few bars and then it's time for the solos again. Sheer quality. The band then move into a Coltranesque version of Greensleeves that swings along with such a groove you could almost be forgiven for thinking that the tune was written as a jazz number. There's a fairly faithful rendition of the Paul Gonsalves classic Boom Jackie Boom Chick, and a great version of Cedar Walton's Bolivia, with one track following effortlessly on from another in a what is a superbly arranged set. Mental Telepathy, an energetic piano trio number that has a sound not a million miles away from the new Re-Trick album, stands out.

Another top-drawer Paolo Scotti production from a highly talented group of musicians that constitutes yet another reason to look out for the Norma Blu series.

Online clips available here.

More Gigs In The Coming Weeks

November 4th

Thirdiq/Ovall/45 Trio/mabanua

@ Plug, Shibuya

November 8th

Jaribu Afrobeat Arkestra/Q.A.S.B

@ Grapefruit Moon, Sangenjaiya

November 22nd
"JiLL-Decoy Festa"

JiLL-Decoy Association

Guests: akiko, Jabberloop, Yusuke Shima
DJ: "Mattz" (quasimode)
@ Loop, Daikanyama

November 25th
Hakuei Kim Tri-Sonique
@ JZ'Brat, Shibuya

December 1st

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions

@ AX, Shibuya

December 4th

Naruyoshi Kikuchi Y Pepe Tormente Azucarar

@ Orchard Hall, Shibuya

December 5th

Naruyoshi Kikuchi Dub Sextet

@ Orchard Hall, Shibuya

December 9th

quasimode

@ JZ'Brat, Shibuya

More info on the new indigo jam unit album

The new indigo jam unit album, Collectivity, out in early December will, as ever, feature nine new tracks packaged in a two-tone sleeve with simple lettering. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Duffer

2. Pentagram

3. Sunset

4. Swan

5. Masquerade

6. Goofy

7. Blue

8. Rush

9. Terminal

Completists will have an expensive time of it as the album will be available in three different forms. The standard album comes in a black cover with pale blue lettering, though there will also be two limited edition versions available. One will feature the full album plus a bonus DVD featuring a live version of Rush recorded at JZ'Brat, the promo video for Pirates and some 'off-shots'; the other limited edition will feature a bonus CD containing two tracks out on CD for the first time ~ Throb (from the 2x2 vinyl release, and Hopes of Yesterday). People who buy either of the limited edition releases will also receive an original bandana, a collaboration project between indigo jam unit and The Duffer of St. George.

 

 

Thirdiq - Who May Find Love In The Imaginary Axis.

Label: Origami Productions
Released: September 2009

In addition to being one of the members of the laidbook project, guitarist/producer Yukihiro Atsumi also has his own project which goes by the name of Thirdiq, and Who May Find Love In The Imaginary Axis is his second album, following on from 2007's Monologue.

Thirdiq's music features some technically adept, sensitive and beautiful guitar playing that recalls Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information, Myron and a hint of Pat Metheny, and while the majority of tracks offered here are instrumentals, there are some guest vocal appearances from the likes of Hanah, MARU and Yu, Sakai. On the whole the music is a  pleasant mix of jazz, soul and hip-hop flavours, with the overall mood being very laid back.

This second release opens with Breathe, a wonderful jazz-tinged number with some great trumpet from Shinpei Ruike and flute from Miya as well as some ethereal backing vocals, which together set the mood for the whole album. The second track is the most commercial song on the set ~ a cover of Lauryn Hill's To Zion, with vocals from MARU. It's a decent cover and the most likely song featured here to get airtime on radio or playlists. Lovers Fiction is next up, a mellow soulful number featuring Hanah that reminds me of some of Laurnea's tunes from New Territory and I Remember. The other vocal track on the album, All The Things In The Universe also features Hanah, and it has a delicate yet beautiful feel to it ~ almost like a lost Minnie Riperton number.

The other tracks are understated yet masterfully crafted instrumentals, perfect for late night listening or the soundtrack to an evening relaxing in a spa or upmarket cafe. Stand out tunes include 220 Cures, A Kind Of Nocturne and Yellow, with the album closing with the twelve-minute improvised soundscape Letters Theme of Film Love In The Imaginary Axis, which is full of echoes, effects and subtle guitar sounds and empty space, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Who May Find Love In The Imaginary Axis may not be one of the most commercial releases of 2009, but it is an album where Yukihiro Atsumi has the freedom to display his considerable musical talent an dvision, and it's is a collection of great atmospheric set of tunes that draw you in over repeated listens. Definitely worth a listen.

Online clips available here.

Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro Update

Funk fans down under will soon have the opportunity to witness the Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro live experience as the Saitama six-piece will be embarking on a brief tour of Australia over the end of year holiday period. The band will be appearing at two different festivals on the following dates:

 

December 27th-29th 

Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford

December 30th

Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley

December 31st-January 1st

Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford

The second piece of news is that their eponymous debut album has now been released in the UK on Jazzman Records on both vinyl (JMANLP029) and CD (JMANCD029). The CD release features two bonus tracks, covers of Immigrant Song and Theme From Blackbyrds, which have only been available in Japan on 7-inch releases. Definitely a top funk album.

Finally for fans in Japan, it appears that the eagerly-awaited second album from MMK will drop early in the new year, and a new 7-inch single (Ain't Got Nobody) Just A Ramblin' Man c/w Tell Me A Bedtime Story is due out on BackFire/P-Vine in the middle of November.

Video clip: Destruments - Dig This (Intro)/Gitchyo Self Togetha

Destruments are an American oufit that play soul/hip-hop tunes inspired by the soul, funk and jazz sounds of the 60s and 70s. They have recently released two albums for the Japanese market -- Shaped By The Sounds and an album of covers titled Bridge Through Time. This video features promo clips for two tracks from Shaped By The Sounds.

Some Upcoming Gigs In The Tokyo Area

October 31st
Yasumasa Kumagai (p) Nori Shiota (b)
@ Naru, Ochanomizu

October 31st/November 1st

quasimode

Special guests: Akiko, Shunpei Ruike
@ Motion Blue, Yokohama

November 10th

Routine Jazz Sextet

@ Nardis, Kashiwa

November 15th

Re-Trick

@ Motion Blue, Yokohama

November 20th

Karen Aoki & Shima & Shikou Duo

@ Motion Blue, Yokohama

November 22nd

Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band

@ Cochi, Koiwa

November 30th

What's Up?

@ Naru, Ochanomizu