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This Is It!: 1538
ByTrumpeter Tamura and pianist Fujii play together in various settings from Fujii's several orchestras (New York, Berlin, Tokyo), the quartet Kaze, and Gato Libre. Each provides a unique setting for what seems like an endless stream of creativity. Their duo releases have typically been studies in idiosyncratic lyricism and improvised abstractions. They are joined here by drummer/percussionist Takashi Itania member of Fujii's New Trio, Satoko Fujii Quartet, and Tobira. He also plays in the Japanese trio Kawasemi House.
Opening with the title track, we are immediately exposed to the harrowing capability of this trio to jar several senses at once. Tamura's trademark screeching, and Fujii's discordant piano along with thunderous percussion take the music to a place near the breaking point; Fujii finally reins in the chaos but then quickly lets it go again. Now that This is It! has our attention, the din dies down on "Prime Number," the first half a mildly acrimonious duet between Tamura and Fujii. "Climb the Rapids" is disjointed lyricism though it eventually abandons moderation while "Swoop" emerges from a protracted silence, morphing into a lopsided and forceful swing piece. 1538 closes with the thirteen minute "Yozora," an abstract meditation that fuses Fujii's gentle playing with Tamura's muted duck calls.
1538 isnot surprisingly for Fujiias challenging a listen as it surely must have been to perform, and record, in front of a live audience. Fujii's compositions continue to lean toward being omnidirectional while managing to hold on to unswerving methodological approaches. Those tactics may be far from obvious to the listener but they generate deeply interesting storylines. The music rattles the bones as often as it soothes the soul and no composer is more masterful at balancing and grounding those extremes.
Track Listing
1538; Prime Number; Climb The Rapids; Riding On the Clouds; Swoops; Yazora.
Personnel
Satoko Fujii
pianoSatoko Fujii: piano; Natsuki Tamura: trumpet; Takashi Itani: drums.
Album information
Title: 1538 | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Libra Records
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