Desert Ship represents the second outing by Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii's ma-do quartet, following on from the acclaimed Heat Wave (Not Two, 2008). Like its predecessor, this well-recorded studio session presents an eclectic set of nine original compositions in a 57-minute program.
Already with a discography numbering over 60 entries, Fujii has provided a catalog as diverse as it is prolific, ranging from solo to big band by way of everything in between. Her near-constant musical companion, trumpeter and husband Natsuki Tamura, likewise provides a willing foil in ma-do. Erring more towards the free jazz end of the spectrum than some of the pianist's outfits, largely thanks to the flexible all acoustic rhythm section, the foursome on this record brings stellar musicianship to bear on Fujii's idiosyncratic arrangements.
Tamura prefigures the current trumpet whiz kids with his love of tonal distortion, making his horn sigh, weep, chuckle and growl—sometimes all within the space of a few minutes. On bass, Norikatsu Koreyasu effortlessly veers from twanging thwacks to wavering harmonics, while drummer Akira Horikoshi is as adept at timbral exploration as he is at pulsing momentum. Though the leader, Fujii highlights her accomplished piano sparingly, but she nonetheless provides the glue that holds together her almost orchestral deployment of resources.
Ma-do excels as one of the pianist's most rewarding outlets. Their last release featured on many best-of-year lists; if there is any justice, this latest offering should repeat that achievement. - John Sharpe
Tracks
1. February - Locomotive - February
2. Desert Ship
3. Nile River
4. Ripple Mark
5. Sunset In The Desert
6. Pluto
7. While You Were Sleeping
8. Capillaries
9. Vapour Trail
SATOKO FUJII piano
NORIKATSU KOREYASU bass
AKIRA HORIKOSHI drums
NATSUMI TAMURA trumpet
All music by Satoko Fujii
Recorded on July 9, 2009 in Dwór Czeczów, Kraków, Poland.
Not Two Records - MW 826-2 Poland