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CD Reviews: Yutaka Uchida, “Living Together”
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Posted by: editoron Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The debut outing from Japanese-born, New York-based drummer Yutaka Uchida, “Living Together” is not a new album, in fact it was originally released in October 2007 receiving high marks from jazz critics. Listening to the melody-rich modern jazz material on this disc, combined with the flawless delivery from Uchida's New York crews, easily won this critic over whole-heartedly concurring with the previous appraisals of the music. Frankly, it is not Uchida's prowess on the drums that drew my interest, but the quality of his compositions. The drummer presents ten creative compositions every one of them unique in color providing a rhythmically-rich variety of a repertoire.
The album features two rhythm sections representing the music recorded in two different sessions combined for this release. Accompanying Uchida on the majority of the tracks are guitarist Ben Sher, fellow countryman, Eishin Nose on the keyboards and James Cammack on electric bass. Saxophonist Sean Nowell, pianist George Dulin and bassist Danny Zanker do the honors on four numbers.
“Mother Sea” opens the album in a stylish fashion with splashy cymbal accents from Uchida and Sher's delicate chord lines setting up a fine entrance from Nose on keyboards who leads the music and develops the piece into a sprawling spacious almost smooth-like tune. Zanker's acoustic bass introduces “Beyond the Horizon,” an all together different textured composition featuring Nowell on the soprano saxophone and pianist Dulin soloing in front of Uchida's superb drumming performance.
Among the special highlights on this album are the lively energetic “Dance While You're Still Here,” possessing a decidedly Latin jazz rhythm which draws heavily on Uchida's percussive beats and Nose's exquisite foray on the acoustic piano. “Truly Untrue” follows as a contemporary straight jazz number showcasing Nowell blowing an especially tasteful tenor romp. Things turn quiet on the soft-colored “Peaceful Eyes,” a beautiful chart that provides a slice of tranquility .
In stark contrast, the following “Torrent of Lava” represents a volcanic eruption of sounds leaning on a heavily funky side to this piece.
The disc ends on the soft side with the tune “My Old Faithful” and the very light title track where Uchida takes to the brushes on a very pleasant finale to a very entertaining session of music. When you have a combination of engaging new material, excellent musicianship and a gifted leader at the helm, one can be assured of having a successful musical voyage. Yutaka Uchida's “Living Together” is an impressive debut and memorable modern jazz journey.
Year: 2007
Label: Self Published
Artist Web: www.yutakauchida.com
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