Customer Reviews

Spiral (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just recently picked up a copy of Hiromi's Spiral and I am hooked! For one thing it is awesome to see young players like Hiromi and her bassist and drummer playing all original music. All the songs on spiral are penned by the pianist. I like the way the songs are very composed but don't get robotic sounding. I think she has toned down her chops and focused more on the songs,but this doesn't mean that she doesn't rip on this one. My favorite tracks are spiral the first track,and #3 Edge. I really like The Return of the Kung Fu Champion,which is the only track on this album where she uses electronic keyboards. I like her use of the synths. I don't think its fair to her to compare her synth sounds with 70's fusion. As much as I love Chick Corea I think most of the synth sounds he used on mid 70's RTFE albums like Where Have I known you before, No Mystery and Romantic Warrior where really chessey. This album has definite cross over appeal because the tunes are catchy and they blend classical,jazz and funk fusion. Tony Grey the bassist on this is the man. I think he's headed for bass great status. The drummer Martin Valihora is killer nuff said buy this record you won't be disappointed!

I was doing a little research for a radio show on music coming out of Japan and stumbled across this CD. What luck! This is the best new pianist I've heard in many years! I'm not alone in thinking this: At seven Hiromi was accepted as a student at the Yamaha School of Music in her native Japan; at 14 she went to play with the Czech Philharmonic; at 17 Chick Corea invited her to play with him! (The influence is obvious in some of her other work.) At 20 Hiromi came to the USA and attended Berklee School of Music, graduating in 2004.

Since then there have been four Hiromi CDs that I know about, and they're all utterly amazing, though each is a bit different. I think Spiral is a bit truer to the jazz genre (and was awarded a Grand Prize by Swing Journal). It features Tony Grey on Bass & Martin Valihora on drums. Her first two CDs are wildly and wonderfully energetic (and one, Brain, also won Swing Journal's Album of the Year in 2005), and her new CD Time Control is reminiscent of the best work of Chick Corea & Return to Forever. In fact, in Japan one can buy her latest CD "Duet" featuring a live performance Featuring Hiromi with Chick Corea! Pricey though...

Now keep in mind... Hiromi has done all this and yet the bio on her web site says she was born in 1979. So at this writing she's still not even 30 years old!

My recommendation? Buy all of her CDs and cherish them.

When the NPR Piano Jazz Christmas came to the Attucks Theatre in Norfolk in December, 2004, youthful pianist/composer Hiromi Uehara ignited what were otherwise fairly sedate proceedings with her musical instincts, rock star looks and physical approach to performance. With this, her third album, she pushes the boundaries of piano trio jazz into unexplored territory, creating a vibrant blend of jazz, classical, pop and rock that is beautiful, expressive, punchy, melodic, rhythmically variegated, fiery and fresh. At the ripe young age of 26, she already has her own idea of what the future of jazz should look like, and it's an alluring vision. The centerpiece of this all-original outing is the four-part "Music for Three-Piece-Orchestra," a rich suite encompassing quiet classicism, gentle lyricism, controlled furor and Emerson, Lake & Palmer prog-rock. The closing "Return of King-Fu World Champion" takes the ELP connection one step further with Tarkus-like synth and clavinet. The bonus DVD provides a brief sample of Hiromi's exciting live presence. --Jim Newsom

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly - February 28, 2006

Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Don't be deceived. This cd does not include a bonus DVD (as described). I don't understand how an error like this occurs-the jewel case is not designed for an additional disc. The music is very good, like all of Hiromi's music. I give the music itself 4 stars.

Hiromi Uehara may not be a household name but with each succeeding recording she proves herself a sophisticated composer and an astonishing and eclectic pianist. Her style, while incorporating elements from Ellington to Bad Plus, is unique. She criss-crosses stylistic boundries on Spiral, keeping the sound interesting on every track - all originals. With the exception of Return of Kung-Fu World Champion, she stays away from the electronics that were more present in Brain and somewhat in Another Mind. Infact Kung Fu...is the barrier to a 5-star rating. At times, Uehara sounds a bit like Michel Petrucciani when she sticks to the acoustic piano, though she refrains from being as showy as the French great. Tony grey on bass and drummer, Martin Vailhora round out an outstanding trio.

Wow! Truly an amazing CD for those Jazz fans who like complex meters with still plenty of melody to carry you away. Fantastic trio that has the technical chops as well as the heart to allow each song to breathe.

I stumbled on Hiromi through Youtube while looking for David Fiuczynski concert footage. It was love at first listen...My love continues to grow with each album of her's that I buy. The only album I have not heard is brain although I will be getting that one soon. They are all worth getting.. not one song has disappointed me which is extremely rare. No matter which style of music I listen to there is usually always something that rubs me the wrong way but Hiromi is a huge exception.
I am amazed by this groups talent and ability to communicate so well with each other. They are second to none as far as composing music and performing together.

This album has a lot more volume variation and is just lower volume in general compared to her other albums. This is due to the fact that there is only three pieces to this group. No Fuze on this one.

Saw her live at Jazz Bakery, not knowing anything about her. Blown away! Never seen anything like it and I'm now a fan. She's so energetic and her playing is no less than stellar. Her compositions are sophisticated and also fun. Can't wat to keep watching her as she matures. If she's this amazing now ----
See the youtube of her and chick corea doing a duet of spain live.

New to this artist I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Everwinding tapestries, tasteful & bold. A work that works on the periphery as well as directly. Wonderful playing, melodies that find their way in. Very well recorded! Recommended!

Hiromi has perfected the trio setting and its potential. She offically has transcended the jazz category. She can mutate any groove in any imaginable way possible, and can also write strict note for note compositions. On this disc more than her other 2, the boundary of what is improvised and written often just flows out and into one another, warranting that each song should be evaluated in its entirety, not in solos.

I disliked that she played out of the harmony so much on this disc, but I can also appreciate how she makes the keyboard/piano almost talk...

Her music is moving, academic, and danceable.
To watch her on DVD is also very inspiring, ecspecially to piano players.

Hiromi has a very powerful spirit, and it shows. Buy this disc.