Album Review
Japanese national Saco Yasuma played classic piano, and did pop, rock, funk, and reggae music as a youngster in Tokyo, but by her late 30 was a resident of Manhattan, where she turned her attention to modern creative mainstream jazz. This CD reflects that changing of the guard, and as an alto saxophonist, Yasuma shows great promise as a melodic sculptress and composer. Her personal sound is a bit dwarfed on half of this collection, in tandem with veteran trumpeter Roy Campbell, no slouch when it comes to free bop and expressionism. A mix of intricate written and wholly improvised music identifies the opening track "Invisible Matters" in a style embraced in the '70s by Chico Freeman. Ken Filiano's dominant basslines set the tone, a little funky and upfront above the rest. That then exists on the 5/4 beat of "Labyrinth," a well constructed piece that really echoes the post-AACM sound Freeman favored and established among the so-called "Young Lions." At their most diverse, poetry from Golda Solomon and modal to outré freedom in parceled segments distinguishes "Fat Orange Moon," while a march beat by drummer Michael T.A. Thompson charges into a lusty hard free bop from Yasuma and Campbell on the appropriately titled "Straight Upwards." Pianist Andrew Bemkey, who also plays bass clarinet on the Native American theme of "Calm Water," is in a spirit song mood during slight rhythmic shapeshifting and beauteous beholdings during "Another Rain," an 11-minute epic of vision and serenity. It is on this piece, the straight-ahead jazz track "The Fifth Season," and the solo sax notes accented by space and patient pacing of "A Wind Blew into My Hands," where we hear the actual voicings of Yasuma. She's not personally derivative of any one peer, perhaps a bit sonorous like Kenny Garrett, but sharing little with the speedy Charlie Parker, the ribald Jackie McLean, or the vibrato laden Arthur Blythe. There's a quiet confidence, a verve and courage tempered by wisdom and a sense of wonder that imbue the colors of her mind. Certainly comparisons will be made to peers Sabir Mateen and Rudresh Mahanthappa, and she's not there yet. But it is easy to hear the promise of Saco Yasuma, with billowed anticipation for her next assuredly intriguing project. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
