Yuko Fujiyama/Graham Hayes/Ikue Mori

Sporadically recorded, Sapporo-born, New York based pianist Yuko Fujiyama continues to probe unexpected territories. Moving from acoustic sessions with the likes of Jennifer Choi and Susie Ibarra, she commits to an electronic environment on the three-part suite and other tracks here. Confirming the change is the addition of fellow New York/Japanese expatriate Ikue Mori’s electronics, and associate Graham Haynes, adding programming and effects to his cornet thrusts.

Although firmly committed to the Free Jazz matrix, maturity has contributed balance and dynamics to the pianist’s playing. Because of this Mori’s output which can encompass outer-space-like crackles as much as gentle repercussion, reminiscent of temple bells or winds whistling through dense foliage coms up against simple piano riffs or metronomic rumbles. Then on “Kurikaesu”. onomatopoeic vocal projection coupled with scrunching voltage vibrations, portamento brassiness and chunky keyboard emphasis undulate alongside Fujiyama intoning descriptive poetry in English and Japanese. But even here her sympathetic reading and her three descriptive solos are auxiliary to group interaction.

Crucial to this is “Quiet Passion’, a three-part suite that gradually builds up from relaxed piano chording alongside programmed watery splashes and slides that cushion portamento brass breaths that is then modified to focused piano patterns which presage an echoing rumble from the electronics. Finally “Quiet Passion III” culminates in low-pitched drama as half-valve strains from the cornetist, electronic swirls and squeaks and piano reverberations reach a climax. As the theme shifts from keyboard to valves to synthesis the profound interchange is confirmed.

“Whispering Universe” and “Sadness” are other instances of this strategy mixing mellow with mercurial. Haynes’ playing is central and upfront beside distant pianism and muted electronic burbles. Goosing his output with electronics, the cornetist’s rippling slurs and expressive shakes define both part of the trio’s sound equation.

It’s a shame Fujiyama doesn’t but out more discs. But if all her sessions would be like Grand Passion, extended waits can be forgiven

—Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Prologue 2. Leggiero 3. Kurikaesu 4. Whispering Universe 5. Agitato 6. Dialogue 7. Piano Solo I 8. Improvisational Suite 9. Sadness Is 10. Piano Solo II 11. Quiet Passion 12. Quiet Passion II 13. Quiet Passion III

Personnel: Graham Haynes (cornet and electronics); Yuko Fujiyama (piano and voice) and Ikue Mori (electronics)