Writing in The Absolute Sound, Rick Brown reviewed Yuko Mabuchi Trio’s January 25th performance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Yuko opened for the great Branford Marsalis Quartet, and the two ensembles had no problem filling the 1,800 seat Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. As Brown concludes “Mabuchi and her trio are primed to take their music to the next level.” Please visit the article in The Absolute Sound.
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 Continue Reading →
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 →
Music critic Neville Roberts from the UK writing for “Reel to Reel Rambler” discusses Yarlung’s important mission, “Jung-A Lee,” “Yuko Mabuchi Trio” and “Dialoghi.” Yarlung Records isn’t just about producing top quality audio recordings, it’s equally focused on supporting its growing list of young musicians. …profits from the sale of the recordings, plus donations from supporters and recording underwriters, are re-invested in supporting emerging young musicians. The 501(c)(3) tax-exempt arm of the organization, Yarlung Artists, raises money to support these young musicians as they begin their performance careers. The company’s board of directors, executive producers and special advisers help Yarlung to record, market and distribute debut albums for selected young concert artists to help them gain stature and visibility with their audiences, critics and peers. Bob notes on his website that artists like Yo Yo Ma and Martha Argerich gained worldwide acclaim through the sale of CDs, LPs and downloads, Continue Reading →
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher, MIDWEST RECORD, reviews Yuko Mabuchi November 3, 2017 New to our shores from her native Japan, this piano gal speaks perfect American jazz with her finger tips leading the way. The accent here is on the playing so while the set card may be quite familiar, the execution is a totally new experience. Leading with the classic jazz piano trio vibe, Mabuchi adds enough of her own special sauce for you to experience why the producer offered to record her the day after he first heard her. Delightfully smashing stuff that turns your rec room into your fave club, this is a timely set to chase the winter away with.
Happy Birthday Bob Levi! Robert H. Levi, President and CEO of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, has done everything he can to encourage audiophile enthusiasts around the world. This whipping up of enthusiasm results in tremendous support for musicians, labels and equipment manufacturers. Yuko and our executive producers Craig and Diane Martin wanted to dedicate the new Yuko Mabuchi Trio vinyl pressing to the Audio Society’s 25th Anniversary, and to Bob Levi in honor of his 70th Birthday. Not a week passed, from concept to delivery, when Maestro Levi didn’t call me asking for updates, enthusing in advance, and generally saying thank you. Fortunately, Bob liked the album when I sent him the first copy the other day. He arranged a listening party the next morning with two critic friends, played the CD first, and then the sparkling new LP. Michael Wechsberg and Richard Revell were Bob’s Continue Reading →
The following review of the Yuko Mabuchi Trio is from the blog “Musicalmemoirs Blog” written by Dee Dee McNeil. YUKO MABUCHI TRIO Yarlung Records Yuko Mabuchi, piano; Del Atkins, bass; Bobby Breton, drums This live recording is an awe-inspiring work of art. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is as exciting on recording as she is in person. Here is a production that sparkles with improvisational creativity, energy, and the piano talents of a young and developing super star. Yarlung’s founder first heard the Yuko Mabuchi Trio at Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. The very next day he offered to record their album. This concert was recorded at the USC campus in Cammilleri Hall. This space is used for master-classes and recitals. It’s the same concert venue designed by Yasuhisa Toyota, where Yarlung previously recorded Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet in 2014. Jazz pianist and educator, Billy Mitchell, served as associate producer on this Continue Reading →
Dear Friends, Greetings and happy weekend. Two pieces of musically delicious news to share! Sibelius Piano Trio has received a Nomination for a Latin GRAMMY Award for Diego Schissi’s wonderful composition Nene, commissioned by Yarlung Artists Coretet and underwritten by Leslie Lassiter, Raulee Marcus and Steve Block. Kudos to Diego, the Sibelius Piano Trio, and to executive producer Ann Mulally and 100th Anniversary sponsors Linda and Randy Bellous! Here is the album if you’d like another copy. [Reviews & Articles] Also, our wonderful new CD featuring Yuko Mabuchi Trio comes out this weekend! Help yourself! Video and Music Jeff Wilson’s review in The Absolute Sound Robert H. Levi’s review in Postive Feedback Thoughts by Peter Rutenberg Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to seeing our board, executive producers and major donors at our Yarlung Annual Meeting and concert in a few weeks! Thank you to so many of you for making our work possible. Sincerely, Bob Attiyeh
Review: Yuko Mabuchi, piano; Del Atkins, bass; Bobby Breton, drums by Peter Rutenberg Yuko Mabuchi Trio’s new CD on Yarlung Records makes great listening! They play several jazz standards with strength and authority, each with distinct colors and approaches. Lush harmonies suggest a sense of fuller orchestration, in the same vein as Brahms’ piano works, while fluid rhythms refresh at every turn. The trio exhibits consummate musicality and technique – with artful phrasing led by the pianist, a lyrical sensuousness in the bassist’s melodic counterpoints with the piano, and the drummer’s intelligent vocabulary and broad sweep tying it all together. Three brief points exemplify these qualities: Take the “A” Train roars into Harlem and beyond, stylistically speaking; the Japanese folksong Sakura (Cherry Blossom) finds delicate color and nuance in Debussy-esque harmonies; and the Latin rhythm tropes of the opening track, What Is This Thing Called Love, return in full regalia Continue Reading →
by Robert H. Levi Senior Associate Editor at Large, Positive Feedback Yuko Mabuchi plays the ivories with the touch of an angel and the understanding of an artist many times her young age. She is backed by seasoned musicians with strong drive plus an acute sense of playing with and not over the pianist. This is Yarlung’s third jazz album recorded like you wish all performances were recorded: listening is just like being there. All that’s missing here is the expensive tickets and sticky floor! The selection of mostly standards and stand-outs is delightful and hard to leave. I liked every one of them, particularly the All The Things You Are, Take The A Train, Satin Doll Medley and St. Thomas, a Sonny Rollins classic. The Japanese Medley was hauntingly gorgeous and intriguing. I played it twice in my first listening pass. The album is all about Yuko Mabuchi and Continue Reading →