Another Mind

Hiromi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00008RV1Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,988 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 and 1/2, May 2, 2003

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Another Mind (Audio CD)

I hate to take on George Colligan, a jazz pianist for whom I have the absolute highest respect, and someone who has made some very fine recordings for the Dutch CrissCross label and Spanish Fresh Sounds label. But what's going on in his review of this disc, professional jealousy? Sounds like it to me. And it's perfectly understandable that an artist possessed of true genius who finds himself playing second fiddle to someone who--let's be honest, here--really doesn't understand jazz as Colligan does would react as he does. But that doesn't make it OK.

...Phenomena like Hiromi--players with monster chops and only a sketchy concept of True Jazz--are going to come along. Perhaps they will even be snatched up by major labels while musicians possessing actual genius--musicians like George Colligan--will be relegated to marginal labels like Fresh Sounds...Does that make Hiromi bogus, a one-star artist, as Colligan in his review rates her? The answer is a resounding NO! OK, there's a bit of flash and empty virtuosity in her stuff. Nevertheless, SHE CAN PLAY. Check out her way bloozy number, "Joy." Plus, she's got a generous dollop of funk in her (see "010101"). Do you deny it, George? If she can't play, why would someone like Ahmad Jamal praise her up one side and down the other? Are you saying, George, that Ahmad Jamal, a pianist of the absolute highest standing in the jazz world, has sold out his opinion, that he doesn't really mean what he says when he lavishes praise on Hiromi?

Bottom line: I have listened to this disc numerous times, and I find it to be perfectly creditable. Yes, Hiromi needs seasoning and depth. Yes, she is probably where she is as much from hype and good looks as she is from strictly jazz pianism. And those who find themselves relegated to second-class status while she enjoys jazz ascendancy probably have a right to feel slighted. But you know what? DEAL WITH IT. And don't downgrade someone else's success just because you haven't received your due recompense. That's small minded. And we expect more from our jazz geniuses than that.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Controversy?...the essence of art, May 16, 2003

By 

steve flyn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another Mind (Audio CD)

After reading the reviews..., it seems clear to me that artists like hiromi who try to change music, to break boundaries or simply to play a little differently from the mainstream have to deal with the ears and minds of an audiance that may or may not be ready for it.
Clearly, Hiromi does not play Jazz in the straight ahead/ swing/ traditional sense of it....But neither does Chick Corea. Does this make Chick a poor piano player? I guess not. The story really is that Hiromi is different. May we like it or not, she is different. Jamal and Anthony Jackson both seem to agree that indeed, she is a phenomenon, and YES, SHE CAN PLAY THE PIANO!!! Whatever her style of music might be called, yes, she really IS astonishing.
Another Mind is the work of a 23 year old prodigee who has so much to offer....I'm alerady looking forward to her 2nd CD!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother trying to figure out what style this is, June 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Another Mind (Audio CD)

Having had the chance to go to school with Hiromi and talk to her about her music, I know that she would certainly agree with the (misinformed) one-star review about one thing: she doesn't play "Jazz" with a capital J. Her goal in playing and composing is not to fit into a certain style, but to bridge many. The one thing she strives for is sharing her incredible energy with the listener. Sure the music is based more on arrangement than improvisation. Sure it doesn't contain a noticeable amount of bop influences. But that's not what it's for. It's sad that the system of music labeling we have now puts this squarely in the jazz realm, because this music is for everyone. Don't let anything stop you from getting this album and seeing her live, the pure energy and emotion in her music will take you away from these petty categorizations.