Voice

Hiromi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B004RDORJG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,851 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Pianist and composer Hiromi Uehara, whose passionate and incendiary keyboard work has been a shining light on the jazz landscape since her 2003 debut, believes that the voice that never speaks can sometimes be the most powerful of all. Her newest release, a nine-song trio recording simply titled Voice, expresses a range of human emotions without the aid of a single lyric.

"When I play music, I realize that it really filters emotions," says Hiromi. "I called this album Voice because I believe that people's real voices are expressed in their emotions. It's not something that you really say. It's more something that you have in your heart. Maybe it's something you haven't said yet. Maybe you're never going to say it. But it's your true voice. Instrumental music is very similar. We don't have any words or any lyrics to go with it. It's the true voice that we don't really put into words, but we feel it when it's real."

Although a mesmerizing instrumentalist in her own right, Hiromi enlists the aid of two equally formidable players for this project - bassist Anthony Jackson (Paul Simon, The O'Jays, Steely Dan, Chick Corea) and drummer Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who, Judas Priest, David Gilmour, Jack Bruce). Jackson had previously played on a couple tracks from each of Hiromi's first two albums - Another Mind in 2003 and Brain in 2004 - but they had never recorded an entire album together. "I've always been a huge fan of his bass playing," she says. "I've always liked playing with him, and I was very happy that we finally had the chance to make an entire album together."

Taken as a whole, the individual tracks on Voice do tell a story, says Hiromi, but she's quick to note that the story is open-ended and subject to interpretations. "I'm not talking about a story in the sense of a novel," she says. "People can just listen to it and decide how it reflects their own lives. They can just imagine whatever the music makes them imagine. That's the beautiful thing about music without words. It's just a matter of using your imagination, finding your own voice within the music, and traveling with it wherever it takes you."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Cow! June 17, 2011

By Unknown Vincent

Format:Audio CD

I wrote this originally back in April/2011 before the CD was released in the USA -

"Voice" was not due to be released in the USA until June/7/2011 -
but it was issued in Japan in February.

Hiromi had spent the the last year 2010 playing in support of her solo CD "Place to Be" as well as touring with Stanley Clarke - as part of his band and in a duet setting.

When someone like Stanley Clarke singles someone out to be part of his music - should tell us something.

This new CD puts her back in a trio setting playing mainly acoustic piano with occasional electric keyboards. The rhythm section is more rock oriented - Anthony Jackson bass, and Simon Phillips drums.

But the music on this CD is definitely jazz - even though it has influences from all over, including classical and rock - but it is still very much Hiromi.

I have used the word stunning when describing her playing - her live performances are simply jaw dropping - and it's no gimmick - she has had similar effects on experienced jazz musicians - one can even see it on Stanley Clarke's face when he plays with her - and this is a legend himself, and he has been touring with her......

Just listen to the opening title track - starts somberly - almost like a funeral dirge - then she plays a Morse-code like riff, but keeps it up while opening up the tune - the rhythm section is just unbelievable - and the three of them have an effect like a freight train coming through your living room.

Yeah, well you have to hear it to believe it - well - might not even believe when heard..........

Just another thing the recording quality - all of Hiromi's albums are well recorded with Telarc's renowned recording quality - the last album the solo "Place to Be" particularly so - but there is something about this new album - it has an immediate presence and drive to the sound.....

Like I said, hear it to believe it. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Hiromi Uehara Is Complex, Sophisticated & Unique!" June 7, 2011

By M. Mariba TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This incredibly talented Japanese pianist/composer Hiromi Uehara has released wonderfully complex, sophisticated & unique jazz pieces in the CD release titled 'Voice'. Hiromi Uehara has beautiful piano pick-ups, very melodical & plays complex pieces effortlessly in this CD (9 jazz instrumental tracks). She has also sought the services of music legends in Anthony Jackson (bassist) & Simon Phillips (drummer) to produce what she calls 'the music speaks for itself' (no vocals). Stands-outs/gems/solid tracks include "Now Or Never" (a complex piece with a 'rocky sound', wonderful bass by Anthony Jackson creating a beautiful 'unique' sound), "Temptation" (another complex piece, incredible beautiful 'unique jazz sound'), "Desire" (up-tempo track with a great melody) & the cover version "Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.8, Pathetique". Great tracks include "Voice" (great piano & melody. This is the title track for this CD), "Flashback" (great piano/guitar/bass/drum combination), "Labyrinth" (a complex piece, great standing bass, piano & melody), "Haze" (a slow track with great piano pick-ups & melody) & "Delusion" ('typical' jazz piece, very melodical). There is no weak track or CD fillers in this CD 'Voice'. On overall, Hiromi Uehara is masterful in this new CD release, a highly recommended CD listening experience. A well deserved 5 star performance by the very talented Hiromi!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Voice" of Modern-Day Piano Jazz... July 2, 2011

By dwood78

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Since her debut in 2003, the Grammy winning Japanese jazz pianist & composer has appeared in number of musical settings. From solo works to trios & quartets, to duets with the likes of Chick Corea, & appearing as a sideman (Stanley Clarke Band which won a Grammy for best Contemporary Jazz Album).

To me, Hiromi is what the future of jazz piano should be. Throughout the years, she plays both straight-ahead & fusion as well use both the acoustic & electric piano. This album, her latest release is more straight-ahead than some of her previous releases. Even with pop/rock veterans Anthony Jackson (electric bass) & Simon Phillips (drums) adding elements of fusion in some of the songs, it rarely goes beyond the straight-ahead jazz sound even with Hiromi playing electric piano on certain tracks.

The album itself is wonderful-not a filler nor bad track present. The 1st two songs & the solo "Haze" remind me of her early days after I heard her debut album. I used to said she played piano "like a maniac" because of her blazing solos. Other interesting tracks include "Now or Never," (which I 1st heard on the Japanese music show J-Melo; it was then that I also heard of this upcoming release.), "Labyrinth" & "Delusion" But it's the closer that gets my vote for best song overall-I can't believe she took a piece of music from Beethoven & turned it to a wonderful jazz ballad-"Piano Sonata #8" is certain to get airplay on both traditional jazz & "smooth jazz" stations.

While I found her post-"Around Mind" recordings to be a mixed bag (never liked rock sounding electric guitar in jazz recordings), "Voice" is one that should please Hiromi's- & most jazz fans alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Album Is A Great Experience July 8, 2011

By Tim

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

This album is absolutely amazing! The music takes you to another place its really unique and expressive. You can feel the passion in Hiromi's playing which is something you could always feel but it seems like her playing in this one has gone to another level. With each album she gets better and better. The bass player and drummer feed off of her enegry and while listening to the album its almost like you're in the studio with them watching them play. If you love jazz, well if you are a music lover I suggest you check this album out.