Tag: Del Atkins

Yuko Mabuchi Trio Vol. 1 Yarlung Records 45 RPM Vinyl

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“The Real Deal!” Anthony Kershaw reviews Yuko Mabuchi Trio Vol 1, 180 Gram pressing, 45RPM Diane and Craig Martin, executive producers (Randy Bellous, executive producer for CD) “Mabuchi is a jazz pianist blessed with taste, a gorgeous piano tone… superb improvisational skills and can swing. Unless we’re talking about the greats, many jazz pianists today may possess two or even three of those talents, but Mabuchi has all four. “The recording by Yarlung is an audiophile’s wet dream.” This was a very fortuitous vinyl find during a typical internet search of interesting LPs via Amazon, Discogs, eBay, you know, a basic Saturday morning record search. What’s good out there? What can I afford this weekend? … The 45 RPM mastering on this release was by Bernie Grundmann. So, the gold standard for an all-analogue LP. Japanese jazz pianist Yuko Mabuchi began playing piano at the age of 4. She was Continue Reading →

Yuko Mabuchi: Dee Dee McNeil

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Jazz Impresario Dee Dee McNeil reviews Yarlung’s 15th Anniversary release of the iconic “YUKO MABUCHI PLAYS MILES DAVIS” Yuko Mabuchi, piano; JJ Kirkpatrick, trumpet; Del Atkins, bass; Bobby Breton, drums; Bob Attiyeh, Producer. One of the things that always impresses me about Yuko Mabuchi is her ability to transform familiar songs into shiny, new, gem-like pieces.  For example, on her presentation of “All Blues,” (arranged on her tribute to Miles Davis album), she turns the waltz-time upside down by playing the piece in 5/4 and 4/4 time.  It works!  She follows this pleasant surprise with a poignant and heart-felt analysis of “Blue in Green.”  You may remember that Bill Evans and Miles Davis composed this one and it’s a star on the ‘Kind of Blue’ album. This is such an emotionally heavy song and pianist, Yuko Mabuchi, along with JJ Kirkpatrick on trumpet, squeeze out every ounce of beauty.  I Continue Reading →

Brian Moura awards Yuko Mabuchi Trio ‘PFO Writer’s Choice’

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Every year, PFO gives a few cherished Writer’s Awards for albums, audio equipment or presentations that particularly move PFO’s senior staff. This year, Brian Moura selected Yuko Mabuchi Trio’s NativeDSD release executive produced by Claude Cellier at Merging Technologies to receive one of these coveted prizes.  Engineers Arian Jansen and Bob Attiyeh recorded stereo and our friend Tom Caulfield recorded surround sound. Many thanks to Brian Moura for his award description: Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Yarlung YAR80161DSD) In 2014 one of my Writer’s Choice Awards went to Bob Attiyeh for his contribution to the recording arts and giving new artists a state-of-the-art platform to launch their careers. It seems fitting that in 2018 I return to Bob’s stellar work at Yarlung for another award. The Yuko Mabuchi Trio features talented pianist Yuko Mabuchi along with jazz veterans Bobby Breton on drums and Del Atkins on bass. In their self-titled debut album Continue Reading →

Jorge Capadocia, NativeDSD, review of Yuko Mabuchi Trio

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Yuko Mabuchi Trio: Some Standards and some nice surprises On this album, Yuko Mabuchi is joined by Del Atkins on bass and Bobby Breton on drums to perform some jazz standards and some nice surprises. The repertoire is varied with respect to style. We get to listen to pensive songs such as Valse Noire (which is borderline melancholic), medleys, Latin Jazz and spirited tunes. This live recording starts with What Is This Thing Called Love and Yuko’s playing, along with Bobby’s drum solo, immediately engages the audience. Throughout the album, Yuko is very sensitive and lyrical in her playing and does not go for bombast unless the music demands. When it does though, like in Sona’s Song (a composition of her own), we are in for a real treat: a very intense outburst erupts, breaking a simple delicate melody. Del Atkins and Bobby Breton are supportive in their playing, with Continue Reading →