Tag: Piano

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Music

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Coda LP (Black) + 2p insert and OBI strip

On October 11, 2024, a masterpiece will be released by our friends by Wewantsounds.  We never doubt the impeccable quality of their releases, but as I am now the owner of a Rega turntable, I have more and more reason to eschew CDs and build up the vinyl collection.  From the label’s press release:

“Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic LP “Coda”, issued in Japan in 1983 as a solo piano version of the “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” soundtrack. The album, which was never been released outside of Japan until now, sees Sakamoto on acoustic piano reinterpreting fascinating versions of his famous soundtrack including the classic theme and “Germination,” which was later used in the “Call Me By Your Name” soundtrack. This reissue has been remastered by Seigen Ono’sSaidera Mastering studio in Tokyo and boasts the original artwork plus a 4-page insert with new liner notes by Andy Beta.”

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Ilia Belorukov & Marina Džukljev – Everything Changes, Nothing Disappears

Ilia Belorukov is a multi-instrumentalist who hails from Russia, but since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he has been a resident of Novi Sad Serbia and will probably be for awhile.  He is making wonderful use of his time by collaborating with local talent.  Marina Džukljev is a pianst and first-rate improvisor, so between the two, they have come up with seven works which flow quietly but giving off an air of foreboding.  There are elements of early piano works of John Cage and free jazz, giving this album a fine sheen.

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Luiz Santos – Sapphire Fire

https://luizsantos.com/album/2834683/sapphire-fire

I normally try to share albums on major platforms, but my friend Luiz Santos has self-released a rather fine jazz album on his website, and I thought it would be good to share it with friends.  It’s piano-based, a bit dark, and a comfortable listen worth your time and exploration.

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Music

Fumio Itabashi – Watarase

Our friends over at Wewantsounds have released a post-bop gem by pianist Fumio Itabashi which will be available in April 5th, 2024.  From their Bandcamp site:

“Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue Fumio Itabashi’s sought-after album “Watarase” hailed as one of the great Japanese jazz albums and featuring Itabashi on piano playing an inspired mix of standards and originals. Recorded in 1981 for Denon and released the following year, the album has since reached cult status among jazz connoisseurs, thanks to Itabashi’s inventive piano playing and to its cult title track, a superb soulful and spiritual composition. Newly remastered by Nippon Columbia using their ORT mastering technology, the album reissue features original artwork including a 2 page insert with a new introduction by Paul Bowler.”

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Music

Søren Bebe Trio – Here Now

I have come across Søren Bebe’s name for years but never had the chance to sit down with his music before.  It’s relaxing, well-done jazz infused with Latin rhythms.

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Thelonious Monk – Mønk

Thelonious Monk will need no introduction from my readers.  He is the quintessential jazz pianist, and this unreleased album comes from a 1963 Danish recording session.  It is Monk playing at his peak.  From the release’s Bandcamp site:

“Hot on the heels of Impulse’s recently unearthed Coltrane number one hit album comes another beauty from Jazz’s ‘Holy Trinity’. This is a previously unreleased, precious lost treasure from Monk’s most critically acclaimed line-up; Charlie Rouse on saxophone, John Ore on double bass, and Frankie Dunlop on drums. The music was recorded live in Copenhagen in 1963 at the peak of Monk’s career. A year later he was to feature on the cover of TIME magazine, one of only for 4 Jazz artists ever to do so.

The performance, a mixture of Monk originals and interpretations of standards, showcases Monk at his prime: full of avant-garde flair and wit, but always with a swinging feel that explains his title as the ‘High Priest of Bebop’.

The original tapes, saved from a skip and blessed with the approval of the Monk estate, have been faithfully restored, mastered and cut using Gearbox’s legendary all-analogue process.”

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Music

Roedelius & Arnold Kasar – Zensibility

On December 1, the maestro will again collaborate with Arnold Kasar (whom he paired with on a Deutsche Grammophon release 5 years ago) on a new album of piano and electronics.  Judging by the two tracks available for listening, this will be perfect winter music to meditate to.

From the Bandcamp release site:

“Five years after their first and critically-acclaimed collaborative work in the form of their full-length album “Einfluss” (Deutsche Grammophon), Roedelius & Arnold Kasar now release their second album “Zensibility” on the Berlin-based label 7K!. This new work encompasses eight collaboratively composed instrumental tracks, eight modern call-and-response pieces where Roedelius plays the grand piano while Arnold Kasar contributes the electronic elements.”

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Roman Stolyar – In Gleisdorf

Our dear friend Roman Stolyar has released a new live solo recording with him performing on the piano and recorder from a show recorded literally last weel in Gleisdorf, Austria.

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Music

Duncan Blachford – Piano and Rain No 1

Duncan Blachford is an Australian intuitive musician who delivers a gentle track of piano improvisation.  Not bad at all for a non-pianist, I must say, as the track held my attention for its entirety.

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Ryuichi Sakamoto – Riot In Lagos (from Playing The Piano)

Ryuichi Sakamoto left this mortal coil on March 28, 2023.  This is the second major loss of the year for us after Yukihiro Takahashi’s repose a few weeks back.

We celebrate his passing by posting a video of him performing one of his greatest tunes, Riot In Lagos, on piano.  Even here, it sounds wonderful.