Search - Hiromi :: Brain

Disappointing after 'Another Mind'

Gavin Wilson | 05/20/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"
In the year between 'Another Mind' and 'Brain', my guess is that Ms Uehara has been listening to an awful lot of Bob James' CDs -- probably around the 'Hands Down' era of the early 1980s. Maybe even a couple of Chick Corea LPs from the 1970s too. (The presence of Al DiMeola's bassist, Anthony Jackson, on three of the tracks confirm the direction Hiromi has chosen.) These influences are not for the good.



For an album sleeve that claims that Hiromi plays only the piano, it's surprising and depressing that there is so much synthesizer pervading many of the tracks. And it's not used to create the subtle tinges of a Lyle Mays, but the invasive, wonky sounds of Corea/James of a certain period. Maybe there's been too much pressure from her sponsor, Yamaha, to showcase the few new instruments they are now putting on the market.



Whatever the reasons, my advice to Hiromi would be unambiguous: Stick to the acoustic piano; you're wonderful at that. We really don't need a re-hash of synthetic 70s excesses such as Corea's 'The Leprechaun'.



My advice to Amazon buyers is to buy her earlier album first - 'Another Mind' is a delight.

"

TASTEFULLY DONE

Baddstuff | astoria, ny United States | 04/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to wonder what the guy who wrote "But on musical taste I would file this between Weird Al Yancovich and Alvin and the Chimpunks" was listening to. Couldn't have been this CD. Granted, he is entitled to his opinion and I am no authority on jazz piano but I think he was being just a tad harsh. If she was THAT bad would a world renowned and respected musician such as Chick Corea invite her onstage to do some piano improvisations? Hmmm....maybe Chick's ears aren't what they used to be, or was someone holding a gun to his head?



I hear some really beautiful playing by Hiromi on this disc and the bassist and drummer lend excellent support. Maybe she pisses some people off because she mixes in some electronic keyboards and we all know how that ruffles some jazz purist's feathers. Well, then don't listen to Hiromi, God knows there's enough traditonal jazz out there for you. I think there's plenty of fine acoustic piano on this disc. Listen to it and make your own call. I've heard a helluva lot worse than this!



Me, I'm a fusion fanatic who saw Chick Corea's Return to Forever band 5 times, the Lenny White, Stanley Clarke and Al DiMeola version. I love progressive rock, metal, funk, and basically anything that sounds good to my ears. This sounds good to my ears. I also just caught Hiromi at the Blue Note Jazz Club on April 20 and loved it. Al Yancovich and Alvin and the Chimpunks were nowhere in sight! And last I heard they weren't getting the rave reviews Hiromi is getting. Go figure.



[...]"

Wow

Curtis Anthony Parks | NC | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For Desert on The Moon, this CD is worth its price doubled.



That said, every track is a unique pastel of brilliance; moreover, the quality of the disc brings out very minute details in Hiromi's playing. She might have toned her viruosity down from the last album, but did not play "dumber". Her playing only matured during the intermission. Now the virtuosity is channeled to more depict each composition's uniqueness.



The musicianship is top notch from all players; they meld together to create a musical masterpiece that no genre label could accurately suffice an apt description.



Keep it up Hiromi!"