Japanese pianist Yoshiko Kishino released a new album, Reminiscence – 30th Anniversary. Its vibe varies from romantic to meditative. It’s an incredible record with a great variety of Jazz styles, from old-fashioned to contemporary.
The music is Jazz. It’s a remarkable album, rich in musical flavours and smoothly blends traditional Jazz with contemporary beats. Yoshiko Kishino is an incredible piano player. The musicians playing with Yoshiko Kishino are phenomenal.
The piece Reminiscence is a lovely intro to the album. It’s soothing, with a nostalgic vibe. It beautifully sets the tone for the album.
Red Rhapsody has great drums, creating a festive vibe. The song is full of passion, which complements the bold rhythm. There are fantastic tempo changes. It’s a perfect song for dancing at a Jazz club or any party.
Lilac Snow has a smooth oriental-style rhythm. Its semi-fast beat adds a nice touch. The composition is vibrant. It features a perfect balance of fast-paced music, then smoothly goes to a relaxing rhythm.
The piece Echoes of Tide is a stunning ballad. Its music has a vibe that works with a movie score and a Jazz club. The cello in this tune is astonishing and mind-blowing, yet it has a calming beat.
Ruby Wizard has incredible energy. It’s Tango meets Salsa; it’s a bold blend of musical styles. The beat is fast, romantic and passionate.
Ajisai is another beautiful ballad with a vibrant and intense beat. Some parts of this song parallel Adele’s 2012 single Skyfall.
Step by Step has a cheerful, semi-fast yet calming beat. The vibe creates a nice sense of hope and upbeat energy. The composition is fantastic with a sound that reminds me of 1950s Jazz.
Soranokakera has a beautiful blend of piano and violin. It also features lovely Japanese-style music. It’s a touching parallel to the song Que Sera Sera.
Overjoyed has a relaxing, romantic vibe, and it’s also joyful. Its rhythm is full of wonder, creating a pleasant, carefree feeling. It’s another piece featuring wind chimes, adding a sense of whimsy.
Harukanarutabiji has a slow start, creating a sense of suspense, wonder, and contemplation. The tempo changes vary from subtle to bold. The meditation bells and chimes add a nice touch. At some point, the bells sound like sleigh bells, creating a festive vibe. The composition has a journey vibe.
Yukimachizuki has impressive gradient tempo changes. It starts slowly, then picks up quickly with an edgy style. There are bold moves in the middle of the melody. About halfway through the song, there’s a sequence that parallels Queen’s famous hit We Are The Champions.
The song Imagine ends with a lovely homage to John Lennon’s Imagine. Yoshiko Kishino honours the song beautifully. She added a nice Jazz component and a Japanese touch. She also featured a more upbeat spin on a ’70s classic. It also ends the album on a hopeful and soft note.
The music throughout this album is intricate, featuring great musicians who do a remarkable job of blending musical styles and honouring the Jazz genre.
The album Reminiscence is available.
Happy 65th birthday, Yoshiko Kishino!
