There's a new sound, or more to the point sounds from the great Japanese pianist Hiromi on Sonicwonderland signalled a little on 'Wanted' with its choppy reggae-like rhythms that quickly morph into a silky trumpet led anthem and that finds Adam O'Farrill gelling well within the ensemble with his Randy Brecker-like sounds. Elsewhere the album does not forget the intimacy of balladry that the Japanese pianist taps into on 'Polaris'. And there is lit up bass contributions from Hadrien Feraud particularly at the start of 'Go Go' while drummer Gene Coye is a funky presence at times.
And fear not the extrovert piano sound we have all come to know Hiromi for isn't absent in a mix that spans jazz-funk and jazz-rock and is best caught on 'Up'. Certainly Hiromi has turned a corner here and shows she is unwilling to stand still and this band sound suits her more than well. The surprise element is the collaboration with singer songwriter Oli Rockberger who sings on 'Reminiscence' a song Hiromi co-wrote with Oli.Out on 6 October. Hiromi plays the London Jazz Festival on 13 November
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