Mitsuru Hirayama Interactive “Alive”

(Mitsuru Hirayama Sound Media Works, 2015)Mitsuru Hirayama Interactive

Mitsuru Hirayama平山満— tenor and soprano sax
Hiroshi Fukutomi福冨博— guitar
Naoki Michiwaki道脇直樹— piano
Kazufumi Tsuchimura土村和史— bass
Yosuke Nagayama永山洋輔— drums

This interlinked set of compositions dig right into various grooves that let everyone in the band lean forward and play. The original composition, more one composition then the ten listings suggest, flow for 40-plus minutes straight. Each one of the parts and interludes are lovely works in themselves, but together, they roll into one very satisfying CD.

Hirayama’s way of letting everyone have their space on top of the pulsing, ever-shifting rhythms below is the main appeal. Above, sax, guitar and piano work on lyrical, lovely melodies. Below bass and drums keep the energy bouncing. The chord progressions are varied enough to be unpredictably pleasing, but resolving enough to have the satisfaction of feeling a melody come full circle.

The pleasure of a hardworking, intimate group of musicians swinging together like on these cuts is always a pleasure, but Hirayama and friends are sharing in the pleasure just as much. The early 60s post-bop, the freer flights, and the lyrical passages are all delivered with a mural painter’s sense of a big canvas. That may not appeal to some jazz fans who prefer standards reworked or originals in a pristine state. However, Hirayama’s group aims to paint with sound more than just play songs.

That doesn’t mean they are free-flowing and undecided, but rather are focused into textures, feelings and the effects in each section. The longer “parts” are linked together with free, pensive interludes, but each part has its own voice, concept and execution. Each one segues quickly into the next at a brisk, exciting pace.The long form of the CD is interesting in and of itself, but topped by tasteful melodies and energetic musicianship, plus plenty of spot-on solos, “Alive” is a great, long listen.

http://music.geocities.jp/reeds_life_from1997/

October 16, 2015