https://mirror2.jazzofjapan.com/tags/%E5%9B%BD%E5%88%86%E8%88%AA%E4%B8%80/ Recent content in 国分航一 on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory Hugo en Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://mirror2.jazzofjapan.com/fumie-chiba-trio-tip-of-dream/ Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://mirror2.jazzofjapan.com/fumie-chiba-trio-tip-of-dream/ <p>Jazz pianist and composer Fumie Chiba’s <em>Tip of Dream</em> is a great example of modern jazz piano from Japan, displaying high-caliber technique and creative approaches to modern jazz composition.</p> <figure><a href="L1200528-1024.jpg"> <img loading="lazy" src="L1200528-1024.jpg"/> </a> </figure> <p>Through the album’s eight tracks, Chiba plays with confidence and verve, showing shades of McCoy Tyner’s rapid abstractions, Bills Evans’ melodic sentimentality, and Mulgrew Miller’s well-rounded fluency and swinging groove.</p> <p>The set starts off strong with “11th Door” which quickly demonstrates the control and power that this trio delivers. The performance is sleek and modern, at times aggressively powerful yet not lacking a sensitive touch and deep energy. From the attention-grabbing opening, the music moves into pretty ballads, lyrical sentimentality with modern flourishes, Herbie Hancock-style funky jazz, and finishes with a piano solo with balanced pop prettiness.</p>