UOU
Tippin, 2010, CD
Instrument: Instrumental
Issue: 16.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Pop+Jazz
Performance: 3
Sound: 4
Score:
O’s Notes: UoU is a band of Japanese American musicians who successfully fuse their native melodies with American jazz harmonies. The ten original compositions are very palatable, swinging music. They open on “Hanauta” (meaning humming) with Takuji Yamada (bass cl, sax) and Daisuke Abe (g) handling the melody. “Queen’s Dance” is more of a waltz before they pick up the pace swinging on “Cat’s Play”. “Moldiana”, our favorite track, is also upbeat anchored by the solid rhythm section with Yoko Komori (p), Kuriko Tsugawa (b) and Yoshifumi Nihonmatsu (d). They touch a number o styles but the predominant theme is mellow fusion like on “Shok A”. This is a good debut.
Publicist: Tippin