Label: RVC / JAM (2003)
Audio CD (May 19, 2003)
Recorded at : Los Angeles, March 24-25, 1981 (tracks 1,2 & 4-6)
April 20, 1981 (track 3)
Jazz
The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band recorded frequently during the 1970s, including several LPs for RCA, four of which are heard in part on this 1991 Novus CD compilation. Akiyoshi, a talented pianist who was recommended by Oscar Peterson to producer Norman Granz after he heard her during a tour of Japan in the '50s, proves herself an inventive composer/arranger whose charts don't use commonplace voicings. "Studio J" is a punchy opener featuring the leader and trombonist Bill Reichenbach to good effect, while the rich "American Ballad" was specifically written for trombonist Britt Woodman, a former sideman with Duke Ellington. "Children in the Temple Ground" incorporates the traditional vocal chant, sung by Tokuko Kaga in the introduction, though it quickly transforms into an exotic Oriental waltz. The haunting "Kogun," a feature for Tabackin on flute, also reflects traditional influences, mixed with modern big band, honoring a World War II Japanese veteran who finally came out of hiding in the Philippines in the mid-'70s and discovered the conflict was long over. Though this excellent compilation is long out of print, most fans of the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band will want to acquire each of the four LPs (Insights, Kogun, Long Yellow Road, and Road Time) in their entirety, though that may be a bit more difficult and expensive.
By Ken Dryden, All Music Guide.
**
As an arranger, Toshiko Akiyoshi (influenced originally by Gil Evans and Thad Jones) has been particularly notable for incorporating elements of traditional Japanese music into her otherwise bop-ish charts. A strong (and underrated) pianist in the Bud Powell tradition, Akiyoshi was born in China but moved to Japan in 1946. She played locally (Sadao Watanabe was among her sidemen) and, after being noticed and encouraged by Oscar Peterson, studied at Berklee during 1956-1959. Married for a time to altoist Charlie Mariano, she co-led the Toshiko Mariano Quartet in the early '60s. After working with Charles Mingus in 1962 (including participating in his ill-fated Town Hall Concert), Toshiko returned to Japan for three years. Back in New York by 1965, she did a radio series and formed a quartet with her second husband, Lew Tabackin, in 1970. After moving to Los Angeles in 1972, Toshiko Akiyoshi put together her very impressive big band which featured such fine soloists as Bobby Shew, Gary Foster, and Tabackin. They recorded several notable albums before Akiyoshi decided, in 1981, to move to New York. Since their relocation, Akiyoshi and Tabackin have both been quite active although her re-formed big band has actually received less publicity than it did in L.A. She ranks as one of the top jazz arrangers of the past several decades.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Toshiko Akiyoshi- Piano
Edward Bennett- Bass
Steve Houghton- Drums
Bobby Childers- Trumpet
Steven Huffstetter- Trumpet
Larry Ford- Trumpet
Mike Price- Trumpet
Richard Cooper- Trumpet (track 3)
Jim Sawyer- Trombone
Hart Smith- Trombone
Bruce Fowler- Trombone
Phil Teel- Bass
Dan Higgins- Alto
Bob Shepherd- Alto
Gary Foster- Alto(track 3)
Lew Tabakin- Tenor, Flute)
John Graas- Tenor
Bill Byrne- Baritone
**
01. A Bit Byas'd 7:31
02. Lament For Sonny 5:16
03. Let The Tape Roll 7:32
04. Tanuki's Night Out 7:43
05. Falling Petal 8:39
06. Yet Another Year 2:52
**
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