Review
HIROSHIMA: Little Tokyo
6
6.1
Rate this Album
UK release date 25.06.2007
Smooth jazz fans will already be familiar with Hiroshima. Founded in 1980 by Japanese Americans Dan and June Kuramato, their music has always been about blending Western approaches with Asian sensitivities.
This new 11-tracker continues the quest, and is dedicated to the Little Tokyo enclave in Southern California. Hiroshima hope to encourage Americans to develop a more positive and all-inclusive worldview. Try telling that to George Bush! Atypical of ‘lite jazz’, the music here is challenging. It’s no coincidence that the most accessible tunes are the more ‘western based’ – notably ‘Lanai’, where James Lloyd, (Pieces Of A Dream,) adds some really tasty keys.
Those with more adventurous ears will enjoy the freer forms of ‘Little Tokyo Underground’. A stimulating piece of work.
Words Bill Buckley
