![]() ![]() Unquestionably one of the most important Japanese jazz albums ever recorded, Scenery reveals Ryo Fukui as a miraculously brilliant self-taught pianist fusing modal, bop, and cool jazz influences for a very personal, dexterous and game-changing take on classic standards made famous by Bing Crosby and John Coltrane among others. For now it remains a deeply overlooked and underappreciated stroke of genius.We Release Jazz (WRWTFWW Records’ new sister-label) is proud to present its first release, the official reissue of Ryo Fukui’s highly sought-after masterpiece Scenery (1976), sourced from the original masters and available on limited edition 180g vinyl mastered at half speed for audiophile sound, as well as 140g vinyl and digipack CD. Re-listening to Scenery I find myself thinking of the parallel universe where the Fukui Trio became international stars, where Scenery was no well-kept secret, but a monumental triumph in jazz and Japanese music. It makes me wonder if it serves as a dedication or eulogy to someone the Trio knew to add the extra pizazz would dilute the song’s power. This is one of the few moments where Fukui refuses the usual flair he wears so easily, instead creating a simple, yet crushing tune. Shades of “Goodbye Porkpie Hat” float to the surface, but it’s a somber meditation all its own. The finale holds the most emotional power of any song here. “I Want to Talk About You” has some of the Trio’s DNA in the notes, it’s easy to imagine Charlie Brown moping his way through a snowy day as the song sighs. The trio also excels at more somber Kind of Blue moments. “Autumn Leaves” holds a simple melody that sways along, but Fukui plays around it, contorting the main lines and adding brief flashes of runs or sudden shifts before landing back where he started. Fukui lays down a furious solo and Yoshinori gets a full body work out before everything drops out and Yoshinori tries out his best “Moby Dick” impression.Įlsewhere the trio trots into bluesier territory with “Willow Weep for Me” and “Autumn Leaves.” These songs are showcases for Fukui’s prowess on the keys. There’s a fake out ending before the group bolts into a manic section with Denpo discarding his usual sereneness for rapid fire jumping all over his strings. The song builds excellently as Yoshinori’s lurching hits slowly increase in vitality. Fukui sets the scene with an electric and mesmerizing intro before his left hand lays down a thunderous beat that calls in Denpo and Yoshinori to get in on the action. Album center piece “Early Summer” is a mammoth 10 minute-plus song all built on groove. Yoshinori Fukui’s drum work is mostly in the background, with his kit doing workman like routines as Fukui speeds along.ĭenpo and Yoshinori get one song to stretch their legs and show off their chops, and it is magnificent. Satoshi Denpo’s bass playing lounges around Fukui creates the foundation for most of these songs with his left hand carving out the rhythms and modes of the music, but Denpo adds a tranquil element to it all, a sort of lazy elegance. Still, it’s fun to talk to old-school Jazz cats who flip on the opening track “It Could Happen to You” and have them wondering “where has this been all my life?” The Fukui trio is deeply indebted to the American style of playing, covering old standards from the states with well-crafted flourishes. had been replaced by Led Zeppelin, and even today few albums from Japan make a dent in the American consciousness. Time and place probably had something to do with Scenery flying so low under the radar. Scenery is one of those hidden gems that brings up the question: “why wasn’t this huge?” It’s a smooth jazz record in the channel of Bill Evans, with Fukui’s dexterous playing creating some of the most vibrant and pastoral music of the ‘70s. Because I found Ryo Fukui through Youtube. In that time that Youtube took from me, I could have written the next great American novel, traveled the world, started a family, but all is forgiven. ![]() The site is a time sink that has drained years of my life away as I’ve clicked from recommended video to recommended video. The number of hours I’ve wasted surfing through Youtube is uncountable. ![]()
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