Mee Hae Ryo

Jacques Ibert’s piano music isn’t exactly the most exciting part of his output, amounting to a series of short picturesque pieces written in a bland neo-classical vein, with just a hint of impressionism or humor here and there to liven up the expression. Lack of both imagination and strong features have kept these pieces away from the current concert repertoire, but on CD they make nice if quickly forgotten listening. The collection of Histoires, including the famous Le petit âne blanc (The Little White Donkey), comes off the best, along with Les rencontres, a little suite in the form of a ballet that displays some lively melodic figures underlined by slightly spicy harmonies, as in the softly swinging The Creoles. The other pieces do little else than round off the total timing of the CD. Hae-won Chang plays with charm and delicacy, with a clean and neat technique that is just what these unpretentious pieces require. The recording is well balanced and truthful.

Jazz fusion guitarist Ryo Kawasaki was born in Toyko, Japan, on February 25, 1947. Although he originally planned on becoming a scientist, Kawasaki put an end to his studies early on and concentrated solely on guitar, playing with a variety of Japanese jazz groups throughout the '60s. During the early '70s, Kawasaki had relocated to the United States (New York, to be exact), where he played regularly with such jazz notables as Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton, and JoAnne Brackeen, and issued such solo releases as Juice, Ring Toss, and Nature's Revenge. Although he would issue several albums during the '80s (Little Touree, Ryo, Lucky Lady, etc.), Kawasaki had turned his back on musical performance and concentrated solely on penning music software programs for computers. Kawasaki also formed his own record label, Satellites Records, as he produced techno dance singles, but eventually returned back to his first love, releasing a steady stream of jazz releases once more, starting in the early to mid-'90s (Love Within the Universe, Sweet Life, Cosmic Rhythm, Reval, etc.).

First best of compilation from the Hokkaido pianist who has gained a worldwide reputation in recent years, who died in 2016 on a limited edtion CD. Includes his signature pieces "Early Summer" and "Mellow Dream". A perfect introduction to Ryo Fukui's work!

First best of compilation from the Hokkaido pianist who has gained a worldwide reputation in recent years, who died in 2016 on a limited edtion CD. Includes his signature pieces "Early Summer" and "Mellow Dream". A perfect introduction to Ryo Fukui's work!

First best of compilation from the Hokkaido pianist who has gained a worldwide reputation in recent years, who died in 2016 on a limited edtion CD. Includes his signature pieces "Early Summer" and "Mellow Dream". A perfect introduction to Ryo Fukui's work!

One of the dangers anytime an artist decides to forgo the organic approach and back his primary instrument with electronic effects is relying too much on the machinery. Fortunately, Ryo Kawasaki, as strong a producer as he is a lyrical electric guitar master, makes sure his silky urban rhythms on Sweet Life are simply an enhancement, rather than a burden, to his fluid lines. Whether the track is straight-out funk, smooth late-night seduction, or a loping ride like the title cut, his hypnotic synth lines simply set the mood. Kawasaki's plucky, winding way with a melody is textured over that, working its way toward varying degrees of emotional resonance. While the fully plugged-in mode carries the majority of the collection, Kawasaki earns his most memorable kudos for the simple and sparse acoustic gems, a lush cover of Janet Jackson's "Again" and on "Sweet Life," which improvises a flamenco-like edge over fingersnap percussion that sounds more real than machine-generated.

First best of compilation from the Hokkaido pianist who has gained a worldwide reputation in recent years, who died in 2016 on a limited edtion CD. Includes his signature pieces "Early Summer" and "Mellow Dream". A perfect introduction to Ryo Fukui's work!

A superb account of J.S. Bach's Sonatas for violin and harpsichord obbligato by Ryo Terakado and Fabio Bonizzoni.