Jan 25, 2011

Hino-Kikuchi Duo - Edges

barabara sounds sez:
It's about time I posted this, the companion piece to my earlier post (back in November) of Counter Current. I'm not sure why I've held it back till now. Maybe because it's sparer, less 'straightforward' — I'm tempted to say edgy, but that would give the wrong impression — it demands more attention and grabs you in a rather different place. But it's not because I like it any less.

Even though it was recorded during the same sessions as Counter Current, this is a very different album. As you can tell, it's just the two of them, Terumasa Hino and Masabumi Kikuchi, just trumpet and piano, sometimes together other times exploring out there on their own. Curiously, the cover art is in bold color, whereas the sleeve for Counter Current is sumi ink on washi white — but Edges is by far the more monochromatic in its soundscapes. Here's a nice review from All About Jazz, says it better than I can...

AAJ (Andrey Henkin) sez:
The similarities between two new releases by Japanese legends Terumasa Hino and Masabumi Kikuchi are obvious. Both were recorded within the same two weeks at the same studio. Both share broadly painted abstract covers on their appealing LP-style gatefold sleeves. Both are mostly originals by the pair, including two versions of two pieces book ending each disc. Even the aesthetics, despite the first being a duet and the other a quintet, have something in common. Palpably companion pieces, for all their similarities, these are distinct albums. But one thing they both contain is possibly the most surprising. Though continuing a partnership begun decades ago, the albums don't demonstrate an expected easy comfort; that is their strength.

Edges is an uncommon duet between an unusual pairing. Piano and trumpet inhabit a similar tonal range so any counterpoint is of a subtler breed. The eight pieces, including the two takes of the title track that begin and end the album, are aural representations of the album artwork: painted in bold expressionistic strokes. What is fascinating though is the tangible sense of tension. When one listens to a duet, breezy dialogue or spirited agreements are usually the expectation. Hino and Kikuchi are obviously old friends but ones who seem to have little in common. When their careers began, they were closer in spirit; the intervening years have separated them. They are like adults who are friends because they grew up next to each other. This turns Edges into a session whose appeal is in its agitation. Each author has his pieces dominated by the other musician and the solo pieces are almost exhalations. "I Fall In Love Too Easily," the album's only standard, exemplifies this ironic relationship.

personnel:
Terumasa Hino: trumpet; Masabumi Kikuchi: piano.

tracks:
Edges (ver. 1); Is It?; Alone, Alone And Alone; Can't Describe; I Fall In Love Too Easily; Dad, I Miss You (trumpet solo); My Kinda Yesterday (piano solo);
Edges (ver. 2)


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

comments please (indeed they do!)

rip: http://www.mediafire.com/?xldx5po43d4vc9z
art: http://www.mediafire.com/?z4q1h4wsuv48avv

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this excellent album.
I love it !!!
One more surprise for me with this post.
The first was with Counter Current.
Never heard before.
I'm so grateful for this album.
Special thanks for scans.
Much appreciated


Procrastinator Procrustes

taro nombei said...

@ Procrastinator Procrustes
Very pleased to hear such a positive comment.
Glad you found Counter Current too... I need to put a link through to the earlier post.
Thanks for dropping by PP!

Bacoso said...

Lovely set of duets - makes a nice change to listen to them in this context.
Thanks.

taro nombei said...

@ Bacoso
That's right, this one is very different to their other work.
Cheers!

Anonymous said...

absolutely gorgeous set!

taro nombei said...

@ hideo
yes, isn't it good!

Juby said...

Wow! I have never heard either of these recordings! Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

The link is dead. Would love to hear this. Can you re-upload. This album in impossible to find anywhere.
Thanx for the other Kikuchi stuff. Love it. Grzz from Amsterdam

Unknown said...

Hello,
The link is dead indeed. Any way to get this?
Thanks in advance^^
pierre

Unknown said...

Hello,
The link is dead indeed. Any way to get this?
Thanks in advance^^
pierre

taro nombei said...

@ pierre
I'll see what I can do…

Unknown said...

Thanks in advance Taro-san,
would be great as this one is not easy to find^^
Peace!
p

Anonymous said...

@ Pierre, @ Grzz from Amsterdam

Enjoy!

https://www.mediafire.com/?a0gvun5ws6k3570

Unknown said...

Whoever you are, you are a King!!!
Tried to buy the record where I am located but it's not easy to find. And actually 'needed' it quite urgently.
Thank you SO much !!!!
Peace!!!
pierre

Anonymous said...

hi taro,
while listening to some of the precious records you posted years ago a warm feeling of gratitude overcomes me (again)
one of my all-time-blogs, that's for sure
cordial thanks, especially for all the Japanese Jazz, from the outer west of Germany!
Bilewiss

taro nombei said...

@ Bilewiss

Well thank you so much.
Deeply appreciated!

As you see, the blog is lying fallow right now, but you never know, I might reactivate it some time. Still plenty of miscellaneous ("barabara") sounds to share.

So please keep checking back from time to time…

peace to one and all!