Michika Fukumori (pno); Aidan O’Donnell (bs); Billy Drummond (dms)
(Review by Lance).
A quite delightful CD by a cosmopolitan trio. Fukumori left Japan to study jazz piano in New York, O’Donnell arrived in New York from Glasgow via Birmingham Conservatoire where he obtained a BMus (Hons) in 2002, while Virginian born Drummond’s CV includes stints with Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver and JJ Johnson.
This is no crash, bang, wallop affair but a relaxing exploration of eight standards and four original compositions. Upon first hearing the name that crossed my mind was Bill Evans, Fukumori has a similar introspective approach. Reflective, probing, discovering unexplored depths to otherwise familiar tunes that had me hanging on to her every note. Repeated listening didn't dispel my initial reaction but it did tell me that she was also very much her own woman.
As a composer, her music is as intriguing as the titles. The Story I Want to Tell You – a waltz reflecting deep feelings for her homeland; Luz – means light and was written as a prayer for Japan after the Tohoku Earthquake; Cat Walk – a slinky blues dedicated to her feline friends; Quality Time – a medium swinger in 6/8 and an apt title for the album.
Looking Back is a piece by her mentor and tutor Steve Kuhn who also produced the album. Kuhn has done a great job in both roles.
The remaining tracks are: Make Someone Happy; Jobim’s Someone to Light up my Life; Solitude (this not only has the pianist at her most tender but shows O’Donnell to be totally simpatico as, indeed, he is throughout - the Birmingham Conservatoire did a grand job!); Velas; a couple by Bernstein – Lucky to be Me and Somewhere finishing off with That’s All.
Drummond is discreet and effective as befits the nature of the album.
Quality Time? You betcha!
Lance.
Available Summit Records.
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