Spiral

I was doing a little research for a radio show on music coming out of Japan and stumbled across this CD. What luck! This is the best new pianist I've heard in many years! I'm not alone in thinking this: At seven Hiromi was accepted as a student at the Yamaha School of Music in her native Japan; at 14 she went to play with the Czech Philharmonic; at 17 Chick Corea invited her to play with him! (The influence is obvious in some of her other work.) At 20 Hiromi came to the USA and attended Berklee School of Music, graduating in 2004.Since then there have been four Hiromi CDs that I know about, and they're all utterly amazing, though each is a bit different. I think Spiral is a bit truer to the jazz genre (and was awarded a Grand Prize by Swing Journal). It features Tony Grey on Bass & Martin Valihora on drums. Her first two CDs are wildly and wonderfully energetic (and one, Brain, also won Swing Journal's Album of the Year in 2005), and her new CD Time Control is reminiscent of the best work of Chick Corea & Return to Forever. In fact, in Japan one can buy her latest CD "Duet" featuring a live performance Featuring Hiromi with Chick Corea! Pricey though...Now keep in mind... Hiromi has done all this and yet the bio on her web site says she was born in 1979. So at this writing she's still not even 30 years old!My recommendation? Buy all of her CDs and cherish them.

I just recently picked up a copy of Hiromi's Spiral and I am hooked! For one thing it is awesome to see young players like Hiromi and her bassist and drummer playing all original music. All the songs on spiral are penned by the pianist. I like the way the songs are very composed but don't get robotic sounding. I think she has toned down her chops and focused more on the songs,but this doesn't mean that she doesn't rip on this one. My favorite tracks are spiral the first track,and #3 Edge. I really like The Return of the Kung Fu Champion,which is the only track on this album where she uses electronic keyboards. I like her use of the synths. I don't think its fair to her to compare her synth sounds with 70's fusion. As much as I love Chick Corea I think most of the synth sounds he used on mid 70's RTFE albums like Where Have I known you before, No Mystery and Romantic Warrior where really chessey. This album has definite cross over appeal because the tunes are catchy and they blend classical,jazz and funk fusion. Tony Grey the bassist on this is the man. I think he's headed for bass great status. The drummer Martin Valihora is killer nuff said buy this record you won't be disappointed!

It does not include a bonus CD but a bonus track... I should have gone for the DVD, it is more enegetic, Hiromi rocks,there is absolutely no doubt about it, so do Martin and Tony but seeing them in youtube performing live spoiled this CD for me. I say go for the DVD

This Artist Can Do No Wrong I an Hoping She Comes This Way 2 California Never Knew about Her .Since Hearing [ Hiromi ] I Have Bought All Her Cd'sand Have Not Been Disappointed with Any of The Music Her Heart puts outLooking Forward for More of Hiromi's Great Music and The Awesome MusiciansThat Play in The Group.

I stumbled on Hiromi through Youtube while looking for David Fiuczynski concert footage. It was love at first listen...My love continues to grow with each album of her's that I buy. The only album I have not heard is brain although I will be getting that one soon. They are all worth getting.. not one song has disappointed me which is extremely rare. No matter which style of music I listen to there is usually always something that rubs me the wrong way but Hiromi is a huge exception.I am amazed by this groups talent and ability to communicate so well with each other. They are second to none as far as composing music and performing together. This album has a lot more volume variation and is just lower volume in general compared to her other albums. This is due to the fact that there is only three pieces to this group. No Fuze on this one.

I had the misfortune of seeing her live before buying any of her recordings. I say 'misfortune' because anyone who has seen her perform live gets the visuals you can only imagine as you listen to her recordings. Hiromi is a phenom. period. Listen for yourself, then go check her performing schedule. You will, just like I did. Her musical teams are the best and bring the same passion and musical intensity that Hiromi does. The bonus DVD is a welcome treat.

In the chronology of Hiromi releases, this has to rank as the best one yet. Featuring all original compositions, the talented pianist provides an intense and spell-binding hour of music. Drummer Martin Valihora and bassist Tony Grey rise to the occasion and provide sensitive and responsive accompaniment. Telarc engineers give the proceedings a superb, expansive recording and DSD captures every nuance. Highly recommended!

Hiromi Uehara may not be a household name but with each succeeding recording she proves herself a sophisticated composer and an astonishing and eclectic pianist. Her style, while incorporating elements from Ellington to Bad Plus, is unique. She criss-crosses stylistic boundries on Spiral, keeping the sound interesting on every track - all originals. With the exception of Return of Kung-Fu World Champion, she stays away from the electronics that were more present in Brain and somewhat in Another Mind. Infact Kung Fu...is the barrier to a 5-star rating. At times, Uehara sounds a bit like Michel Petrucciani when she sticks to the acoustic piano, though she refrains from being as showy as the French great. Tony grey on bass and drummer, Martin Vailhora round out an outstanding trio.

Meraviglioso e un incisione che non avevo dubbi perfetta

My favorite pianist

This is the first album of Hiromi I heard borrowed from a local library. I made a copy of it but I'm glad to have purchased a legit copy only fair. I've become a great fan and seen her live in london recently. Fantastic artist on album and live. Just can't get enough of this true genius.

trés bon disque j'avais très peux écoute hiromi disque passée sur la radio de jazz très connu dans pays le japona acheté les yeux fermée

友人から奨められて購入しました。上原ひろみさんのＣＤはＴｉｍｅ　Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌに続き２枚目ですが、今回のＳｐｉｒａｌもとても気に入りました。手配は迅速で梱包も丁寧で大変嬉しく思っています。