Beyond Standard

by LEFTERIS KAFATOS
Hokubei Mainichi

Japanese music sensation Hiromi is known for her dynamic jazz performances, as seen at the concert she gave here in San Francisco last April at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. Now the artist has released a new album called “Beyond Standard” by Hiromi and Hiromi’s Sonicbloom.

The album features nine tracks played by Hiromi on piano and keyboards, with David Fiuczynski on guitar, Tony Grey on bass, and Martin Valihora on drums.

This album is indeed not standard. Hiromi et al. run the musical gamut; they play a lot of covers but add their own flavor to each style, as heard with her rendition of the classic Japanese song “Ue wo Muite Aruko.” They take a swing at a rock song, legendary guitarist Jeff Beck’s “Led Boots,” and a jazz classic, Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm.”

It seems that some of these experiments work better than others. “Ue wo Muite” follows the familiar rhythm at first and then flows into a freestyle wah-wah routine that can be distracting at times. On the other hand, “I’ve Got Rhythm” really is a cover that breathes life and vitality into the old classic.

The album is definitely worth checking out. As seen on the cover art for the CD, Hiromi is behind a wall, then climbing the wall, and by the back cover, has climbed over it. Whether or not this experiment in “going beyond” works is one thing, but either way, music lovers will admire Hiromi’s determination and fun approach to trying something new.