Through a beautiful piano sound with deep reverberations, Seiji Endo’s latest solo album releases atmospheric music as if arising from the dreams and memories of ancient Japan: Genji Monogatari Volume 1 features the pianist performing his original compositions with dramatic … Continue reading Seiji Endo: Genji Monogatari Volume 1
Yuichiro Aratake’s The Light Flows In is a solo piano collection which sets a calm, relaxing mood, offering peace through original songs and charming jazz and pop standards. With patience and sincerity, Aratake performs the pieces as slow ballads, reflecting … Continue reading Yuichiro Aratake: The Light Flows In
Although it may seem overly-ambitious to reinvent the classic 1961 Bill Evans Trio live recordings “Waltz For Debby” and “Sunday At The Village Vanguard”, pianist Taihei Asakawa boldly takes that challenge on his deeply fascinating and atmospheric avant-garde solo piano … Continue reading Taihei Asakawa: Waltz For Debby
Pianist Michiyo Matsushita’s Sally Gardens is a lively solo piano album featuring original compositions set against a few Irish folk songs and jazz standards. Through the rich, evocative music of folk music (“Sally Gardens”, “Paddy Ryan’s Dream”), Matsushita’s playing is … Continue reading Michiyo Matsushita: Sally Gardens
Sakura Meditation from pianist Seiji Endo is a gorgeous collection of evocative solo piano pieces. Though ten original compositions, Endo searches for the perfect phrase and dramatic touch to draw out emotion from these lush, beautifully pure compositions. With most … Continue reading Seiji Endo: Sakura Meditation
Joyful notes flow effortlessly from pianist Yuya Wakai as he confidently opens his solo piano album Images. His exuberance is catchy as he flies over chord changes in a bounding, colorful manner that is at times reminiscent of Keith Jarrett’s … Continue reading Yuya Wakai: Images
Ideal for peaceful, calming piano, Ken’ichiro Shinzawa’s Piano Works features seven original compositions with a sweet purity in the musical message. The slow, melodic music conveys a pure innocence, almost evoking Japanese Studio Ghibli movies with scenes of happy animated … Continue reading Ken’ichiro Shinzawa: Piano Works
Seiji Endo, a poet at the piano, releases his second solo piano album of original compositions. Mostly a solo album, a children’s choir also joins briefly, reminding one of the childlike purity and hopefulness conceived here. With sincerity evident from … Continue reading Seiji Endo: Circle For Peace