Melodies: Melodies
The band Melodies released their self-titled debut album in January 2025, under the leadership of guitarist and composer Motohiko Ichino. Ichino’s music is rooted in his otherworldly compositions and full-bodied guitar tone, a structure that Melodies expands upon with two entwining saxophones and adventurously roaming drums. This four-member group consists of Ichino on guitar and baritone guitar, Kenta Tsugami on alto saxophone, Minyen Hsieh on tenor saxophone, and Akira Sotoyama on drums. As this quartet has no bass player, they form a subtly floating, bass-less group sound. Yet Ichino’s guitar work fills up the space nicely, especially when he subs in baritone guitar. All of the songs on Melodies were written by Ichino, and the album was recorded at a live performance at Velvet Sun in Tokyo on June 24, 2024. ...