I missed pianist Yuko Mabuchi the last time she came to LA; this album makes me regret it doubly so. She’s got a warm and upbeat touch and uses it well on this journey to the warm waters of South America. She’s got a pretty flow to the seductive “Caribbean Canvas” and she cleverly Latinizes the John Coltrane classic “Moment’s Notice” with some rich spices. Her romantic soul is exposed on “After The Stor”m” and has fun with steel drums in support of the funky bass line on the reggae’d “Orvilles Way”. Warm voices add to the Brazilian “Magic Island”, while taking a trip to church on the gospel’d “Oh, Freedom”. No vaccine mandate for this Caribbean cruise!