SATOKO FUJII TOKYO TRIO

DREAM A DREAM

Libra Records

Staoko Fujii, piano; Takashi Sugawa, bass; Ittetsu Takemura, drums.

On May 22, 2024, Satoko Fujii’s Tokyo Trio entered the Studio Sextan in Paris, France and recorded five compositions by Fujii.  It was during a European tour. They had worked on this unique material during an earlier tour of Japan and honed their arrangement outlines. This is the debut studio album, featuring the world-renowned pianist and composer with her Tokyo trio. Prior to this, the trio has recorded two previous albums while performing “Live.”  What is intriguing about Satoko Fujii’s Tokyo Trio is the balance they exhibit between improvising and composition.

Satoko Fujii explained, “Sometimes I write a lot, but other times I write just a few bars to set the mood.  For instance, ‘Dream a Dream’ has a long theme that is very much written, but then we improvise, and I use some parts from the theme to cue a change in the feel….I like to have these two things together without borders.”

Whenever I listen to Satoko Fujii’s music, I experience enrichment of my spirit. Although these three Avant-garde masters always bring surprise and the ‘unexpected’ to the stage, they also bring beauty. Takashi Sugawa offers us deep-rooted bass notes that stand in a solo spotlight while he plucks melodic phrases, high-toned curls, and deep growls from his instrument. For example, just one single bass note introduces the frenetic piano exploration of Fujii’s wild and wonderful solo on their opening song “Second Step.”  After she soared and crashed her piano expressions around my listening room, Sugawa entered to calm the moment.  He is a unique voice that speaks to me with bass notes that unwind like sentences.  To enrich this production, Ittetsu Takemura brings his drum solo to the forefront.  Satoko Fujii tinkles the piano notes delicately beneath his rhythms, enhancing the moment. Sugawa’s bass growls, like a contented snoring cat. Now we have met all the players during this creative presentation of their first song.

The title tune follows.  “Dream a Dream” begins in an ethereal way, with Sugawa bowing his double bass.  The drummer trembles his drums.  The bass holds a tone that sings like a distant whining airplane. The group is in ‘take-off’ mode.  Satoko Fujii creates thunder on her instrument as rhythms build and tap dance across space. Then her treble notes twinkle, distant stars against a dark sky seem to wink at me. This is a rubato dance, without time or melody.  Phrases of creativity spill from these three instruments in unexpected harmony.  There is a predominate comfort level that these three musicians radiate, whether playing singularly or together.  This piece is full of space. It leaves this listener leaning into the quiet moments in anticipation of what will come next.  It’s unpredictable music, yet with purpose and quite entertaining.

As always, Satoko Fujii is a master of improvised music. She’s an innovative composer and a strong band leader.  This trio, with telepathic unity, is an example of three rich and royal talents who love and emanate freedom in their music. They artistically interpret Fujii’s compositions, while spotlighting their own unique musical abilities. This production radiates a higher good.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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