Eddie Carter reviews Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Vol 1 for Jazztracks, December 2018
On the stage, a beautiful young woman sits at a baby grand piano unleashing an aggressive flood of sound into the audience. Behind her are two elegantly dressed gentlemen on bass and drums, who match her creativity, precise timing, and articulation with their own musical artistry note-for-note. Her name is Yuko Mabuchi, her bandmates are Del Atkins on bass and Bobby Breton on drums. Their 2018 release, Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Volume 1 (Yarlung Records YAR88157-161V) was recorded live at The Brain and Creativity Institute’s Cammilleri Hall in Los Angeles, California on March 31, 2017. The performance was in honor of the 25th Anniversary of The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, and their President, Bob Levi who was celebrating his 70th Birthday as well. I know Bob from his years as a member of The Atlanta Audio Society and his jazz recommendations have never failed to bring immense pleasure to the AAS members including yours truly.
One of Cole Porter’s most recorded compositions opens the first side, the 1929 classic, What Is This Thing Called Love? It was first performed by British singer, Elsie Carlisle in the Broadway musical, Wake Up and Dream and has been a well-loved jazz standard for nearly eight decades. The song begins with a midtempo solo piano introduction by Yuko which becomes a spirited theme treatment by the trio. Ms. Mabuchi leads off with a musical gem on the vivacious opening statement. Del packs a beefy punch on the second solo, then Bobby gets to shine next, applying a contagious rock-solid beat that drives all the way to a brief interlude by Yuko prior to the closing chorus and lively finale. Valse Noire is a very pretty ballad by Cincinnati composer Mark Lehman who originally wrote the tune for solo piano. It ends the first side, receiving a touchingly tender treatment by the trio and Yuko has the showcase to herself as the song’s only soloist. She delivers a presentation of exquisite beauty anchored by the serene supplement of Del and Bobby into an elegant ending.
The pace slows down as the second side begins with the 1947 popular song On Green Dolphin Street by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington. It was composed for the film Green Dolphin Street released that year and became a jazz standard after Miles Davis recorded it on the 1958 Columbia album, Jazz Track (CL 1268). The beat goes up to midtempo when Yuko gives the song’s only solo performance an easy swing in her tone which excels with a steady assurance, preceding softening her speed for the theme’s reprise and climax. The album ends with Seriously by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles who wrote it for fellow singer Leslie Odom, Jr., who appeared on the weekly public radio program and podcast, This American Life. The trio performed this tune for the first time during their concert, opening delicately with Del leading on the introduction. Yuko takes over for the theme and tells the song’s story with a youthful creativeness and ingenuity that is especially endearing. Del follows with a tender, sweet reading that’s warm and relaxing before Yuko’s piano literally floats through the final statement, making an ideal closer to this excellent and very entertaining album.
The quality of the musicianship on the LP is incredible, each member of the trio just aren’t counting and keeping a beat, they’re listening to the sounds they’re creating and complementing each other’s solos effortlessly. Also, each Individual performance receives accompaniment of the highest quality from the other two members. The blending of the instruments sounds like they’ve been playing together for years and instinctively know what’s needed to make each song better. And now, the sound! Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Volume 1 is a single 45-rpm audiophile LP, that alone is an exciting concept which all owners of the two-record sets can appreciate. The recording engineers are Bob Attiyeh and Arian Jansen, the mastering engineers are Mr. Attiyeh and Steve Hoffman and the 45-rpm mastering was done by Bernie Grundman. The sound is spectacular with an absolutely stunning soundstage in all areas, the highs are detailed and velvety smooth. There’s a liveliness in the midrange that gets the listener in touch with the music without any harshness. The bass is clean, crisp, extended and not fatiguing in any way.
By the time you read this review, Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Volume 2 (YAR71621-161V), the second 45-rpm album on Yarlung Records will be available to purchase for your jazz library and I look forward to hearing more from this talented threesome on record and in performance in the years to come. In the mood for an excellent live jazz album that will excite your ears with superb sonics, articulate and fresh performances? I submit for your next vinyl hunt, Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Volume 1, a live album from one of the premiere concert halls in the world that’s not only worth the trip for anyone who loves trio jazz but one you can revisit anytime you place the record on the turntable!
On Green Dolphin Street, What Is This Thing Called Love? – Source: JazzStandards.com
Valse Noire, Seriously – Source: Album liner notes by Bob Attiyeh
© 2018 by Edward Thomas Carter