Hiromi’s Sonicbloom: Beyond Standard

Posted on 29 Dec 2009 16:05 UTC

I picked this CD up the other day at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis (I also got Mahavishnu Orchestra’s The Lost Trident Sessions at the same time). Hiromi’s Sonicbloom is Hiromi Uehara on piano and keyboards, David Fiuczynski on guitar (double-neck fretted and fretless), Tony Grey on bass, and Martin Valihora on drums.

Although there is only one Hiromi original tune on the record, Sonicbloom liberally and wonderfully reimagines “My Favorite Things”, “Clair de Lune”, and “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise”, sneaking some new melodic and timbral ideas into what might otherwise be well-crafted but radio-friendly jazz. “Caravan” features Fiuczynski’s sweet fretless playing.

Although “radio-friendly” would normally be an insult, in Hiromi’s hands the result is crossover appeal: Hardcore fusion nerds like Fiuczynski’s fans will get a touch of the risky experimentation he is known for, Hiromi is restrained (compared to her unhinged live performances, anyway) but still exciting, and Valihora and Grey have an unending well of sophisticated but solid grooves. Grey also takes a few melodic solos.

Don’t miss a chance to see this band live!

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