TIME EXPERIENCE - Awakening
MGP Records MGPCD 017
Yujiro Wada (guitar) Yasushi Komateu (bass) Shigeki Okubo (drums)
This album is a "must have" for all who love the guitar in jazz or appreciate the sound of small group empathy at it's very best. The band was formed in 2014 and after early success in Japan has now been launched on the world market. Guitarist Yujiro Wada has been active since 1981 and for a period gigged on the New York club scene. He eventually gained recognition within the groups of Stanley Clarke and Al Foster, before taking lessons with Pat Martino and later forming a trio with ex Metheny men Mark Egan and Danny Gottlib. Bass player, and the band's leading composer, Yasushi Komateu is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with an extensive portfolio of touring throughout Europe, South America and the Far East. Completing the trio is Shigeki Okubo, one of the most fluid, flexible and hard driving drummers you are likely to hear. After a spell on the Los Angeles scene, he is now back in his homeland, expanding his profile where ever he plays.
The trio roar in with the jointly composed "Prologue" giving the impression that you will be listening to an album full of almost free form compositions. Nothing could be further from the truth as things settle down to form a highly melodic but powerful set of guitar based improvisations with musicianship of the highest order. The drums of Shigeki Okubo lead the tempo changes throughout, driving the trio forward where required and providing subtle shading on the slower paced numbers. Yujiro Wada can bend notes with the best as illustrated on "XYZ" and his own composition "Stormy Friday". All music here is thrusting but always full of clarity and logic. Yasushi Komateu shows how the bowed bass can make a significant contribution as a front line instrument on "Lost Nation". The closer "Universe Is A Key" is a masterpiece of melodic invention and provides a perfect finale to this fine recording.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
MGP Records MGPCD 017
Yujiro Wada (guitar) Yasushi Komateu (bass) Shigeki Okubo (drums)
This album is a "must have" for all who love the guitar in jazz or appreciate the sound of small group empathy at it's very best. The band was formed in 2014 and after early success in Japan has now been launched on the world market. Guitarist Yujiro Wada has been active since 1981 and for a period gigged on the New York club scene. He eventually gained recognition within the groups of Stanley Clarke and Al Foster, before taking lessons with Pat Martino and later forming a trio with ex Metheny men Mark Egan and Danny Gottlib. Bass player, and the band's leading composer, Yasushi Komateu is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with an extensive portfolio of touring throughout Europe, South America and the Far East. Completing the trio is Shigeki Okubo, one of the most fluid, flexible and hard driving drummers you are likely to hear. After a spell on the Los Angeles scene, he is now back in his homeland, expanding his profile where ever he plays.
The trio roar in with the jointly composed "Prologue" giving the impression that you will be listening to an album full of almost free form compositions. Nothing could be further from the truth as things settle down to form a highly melodic but powerful set of guitar based improvisations with musicianship of the highest order. The drums of Shigeki Okubo lead the tempo changes throughout, driving the trio forward where required and providing subtle shading on the slower paced numbers. Yujiro Wada can bend notes with the best as illustrated on "XYZ" and his own composition "Stormy Friday". All music here is thrusting but always full of clarity and logic. Yasushi Komateu shows how the bowed bass can make a significant contribution as a front line instrument on "Lost Nation". The closer "Universe Is A Key" is a masterpiece of melodic invention and provides a perfect finale to this fine recording.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
