 MOON OVER THE WORLD
"With over a hundred discs as a sideman under his belt, AKIRA TANA has surely earned his leader stripes. Each of his three solo outings boasts a mature, focused eloquence. Originally a Japan-only 1993 release, Moon highlights the jazz drummer in an acoustic trio. It's a highly satisfying setting for Tana's intricate, sensitive, and swinging drumming. Aided by bassist Rufus Reid and pianist Ted Lo, Tana offers impressive originals, covers, and jazz treatments of traditional and popular Japanese and Chinese melodies. Tana is a big listener, and exciting "orchestrator" who employs his formidable chops for phrase building. Not a gratuitous note in the set."
"Consummate pro Akira Tana demonstrates his nimble touch and reliably swinging grooves on Moon Over The World (Sons of Sound). Originally released in 1993 on the Japanese King/Paddlewheel label as the second recording by the Asian-American Jazz Trio — featuring the Hong Kong-born pianist Ted Lo and Atlanta-born bassist Rufus Reid — the concept here was to draw from Chinese and Japanese folk/pop melodies as a source of jazzy exploration. The trio does that with aplomb on the timeless Chinese folk tunes "Reflections of Love," "Moon Over The World," and "Condor Man" (which became the theme to the popular '70s TV show Kung Fu).Tana's signature tasteful brushwork underscores a swinging rendition of "Koi-no Vacance (Vacation of Love)" by the contemporary Japanese-pop composer Hiroshi Miyagawa, who also contributes the piece "Chinese Fingers," rendered here as a Horace Silver-style groover. Tana plays the sensitive colorist behind Lo's gentle piano work on Silver's hauntingly beautiful ballad "No Place Is The End Of The World" as well as on the poignant Jaco Pastorius composition "Three Views Of A Secret" and the briskly swinging Gene Bertoncini number, "Soflee," in which the drummer engages in some spirited exchanges with bassist and longtime rhythm partner Reid.An underrated master, Tana shines on Moon Over The World."
"Though this new issue is credited to Akira Tana as leader, Moon Over The World was originally the second album by the Asian American Jazz Trio, and was first released in Japan in 1993. Hong Kong pianist Ted Lo replaces Kei Akagi from the group's first disc, Sound Circle. The performances on Moon Over The World offer attractive, thoughtful mainstream piano-trio music, longer on shapliness and refinement than on surprise, but benefiting from some unusual choices of repertoire. Lo contributes excellent arrangements of Chinese and Japanese folk tunes and pop songs; there are astute picks of rarely-covered tunes by Horace Silver, Jaco Pastorius, and Gene Bertoncini; and all three musicians chip in with good originals, of which the best is Reid's lovely ballad "No Place Is The End Of The World." The results are a listenable and enjoyable album, though not an especially memorable one."
* * * * 1/2 (4 1/2 stars) "Akira Tana's second CD as a leader for the Japanese label Paddlewheel doesn't restrict itself to the same jazz standards and frequently recorded jazz works. Instead, Tana and his bandmates (frequent collaborator Rufus Reid on bass and pianist Ted Lo) rely on a mix of originals, lesser known gems by talented other jazz musicians, and a trio of Chinese folk songs. Lo's snappy post-bop "Jewel's Eyes" would fit the repertoire of talented composer/pianists like Kenny Barron, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, or James Williams. Tana contributed the tense, somewhat mysterious "Skyline," while Reid's "No Place Like the End of the World" is a lovely ballad, accented by Tana's tasteful brushwork. Horace Silver's "Sweet Stuff" is hardly one of his better known pieces, so the trio's rendition of his delicate ballad is an obvious highlight. Guitarist Gene Bertoncini wrote "Sofflee," a very intricate reworking of the chord changes to the standard "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," which showcases the leader's brushwork in some terrific exchanges with Reid. Jaco Pastorious penned "Three Views of a Secret," a subtle but upbeat ballad. Tana's idea to incorporate Chinese folk songs works very well. "Moon Over the World" has a pop sensibility, but the lovely melody and superb musicianship keep it viable. "Condor Man" was once a theme song to a popular kung fu TV show, yet Lo's imaginative samba setting likewise keeps it from falling into predictability. "Reflections of Love" begins as a ballad before suddenly segueing into a wild post-bop arrangement, with Tana's exciting drum solo as its centerpiece. Since the Paddlewheel edition of this highly recommended CD is somewhat difficult to obtain, most jazz fans will be pleased to learn that Sons of Sound reissued this release in the U.S. in early 2004."
"While the influence and adaptability of European sources to modern jazz is a given, there seems to be little credit or credibility given to the Asian subcontinent. With his Asian American Jazz Trio, consisting of pianist Ted Lo and bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Akira Tana looks to Chinese and Japanese folk songs, television theme songs and popular music for inspiration. The result, Moon Over the World, is a fascinating and engaging blend of Oriental themes with contemporary post bop.Tana’s career extends back over twenty years, dozens of recordings and work with artists including Kenny Burrell, Sonny Rollins, Cedar Walton and Dizzy Gillespie, in addition to Tanareid, the group he has co-led for over ten years with Reid. Even at it most urgent, its most insistent, there is a certain delicacy to his playing. Rufus Reid is one of the busiest bassists in jazz, having appeared on well over two-hundred and fifty recordings with artists including Kenny Barron, Donald Byrd, Art Farmer and Dexter Gordon. Like Tana, there is a certain restraint about his playing, an understated sense of swing. Lo has recorded with artists including Ron Carter, Michael Franks, Herbie Mann and Airto Moreira/Flora Purim. Mirroring Tana’s approach, there is a certain deftness, a clear tenderness, even on more energetic pieces like Lo’s own “Jewel’s Eyes.”The three tracks based on traditional folk tunes have simple themes that are taken into post bop territory by way of Lo’s re-harmonizing the simple changes, and the simpatico of Tana and Reid’s rhythm section work. “Condor Man,” based on a folk song that was the theme for a popular kung fu television show, is treated as a fast samba; “Reflections of Love” centers around a light rhythmic pulse that breaks into an incredibly fast but light swing for Lo’s breakneck solo; the title track is poignant and pretty, certainly the most pop-oriented piece on the album.In addition to one original each from the members of the trio, there are two pieces by contemporary Japanese writer Hiroshi Miyagawa; “Chinese Fingers” is so reminiscent of Horace Silver that Tana decided to include an actual Silver piece, the more brooding “Sweet Stuff.” The trio’s reading of the Jaco Pastorius staple “Three Views of a Secret” is rhythmically looser than most recorded versions; pared down to the trio format, the essential beauty of the piece is revealed. Moon Over the World may only be the second album released by Tana as a leader, but, while it is clearly the work of a collective with remarkable empathy, he exhibits all the characteristics of a good leader: an ability to put together an attractive program with a concept, performed by a trio of musicians who clearly understand where he is trying to take it. Subtle and distinctive, Moon Over the World sheds light on a musical source that is far too rarely mined."
"Born and reared in California, Akira Tana has developed into one of the foremost drum performers in modern jazz. An active clinician and teacher, he is one of the most inventive drum performers performing today, and accompanied with Ted Lo on piano and Rufus Reid on bass, Moon Over The World is Tana at his finest.This CD collection combines the best of contemporary jazz with world music motifs and improvisional jazz themes. An unusual blend, it works perfectly with this trio.There are eleven songs in the collection. Among the songs are found such gems as "Jewel's Eyes," "Moon Over The World," "Koi-no Vacance (Vacation Of Love)," "Condor Man," and "Reflections Of Love." "Chinese Fingers" is an intricate song which will capture the audience's attention with its unusual harmony. Each song performance is inventive. Another song worthy of airplay time is "Three Views Of A Secret."There is topnotch solo work on each song, and each musician is in top form. To hear Tana and Lo and Reid together is a jazz audience listening treat, and this CD delivers! For an eclectic and exciting listening adventure, Moon Over The World is a delight. Highly recommended." This jazz site is produced and hosted by JazzCorner.com |