I think that pianist Satoko Fujii is celebrating her 60th year by releasing an album for each birthday, as she’s putting out an overwhelming amount of material lately. This latest album is quite interesting and original, as it includes “percussive dancing” (not tap!) by Mizuki Wildenhahn as well as percussion by Takashi Itani and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura.
Obviously, there’s a lot of percussion and rhythm going on, sometimes in various directions, clusters and jump starts. The dancing pulse scurries on “Nesimo” and crates an avalance with Fukii on “Bittagando” with dots and dashes provided by horn, piano and sounds for “Rimaketo” with blues in full regalia on “Hajori.” Growing brass takes place on “Gorondari” and splats on a swirling “Megosona.” Playing taps in more ways than one!