Label:JVC VIJ-28165

Country:Japan

Used LP 1988 Promo

Disc:VG+ (good shape overall)

Jacket:VG+ (light wear, not bad condition overall) w/obi, innersleeve (light stain)

Jazz pianist Hiroko Kokubu, who studied under Barry Harris and has released numerous works to date, maintains a genre-defying approach that spans Classic, Latin, Brazilian, Blues. This album released in 1988 is her second. With backing from Yuichi Togashiki, Akira Okazawa, and Kazuhiko Iwami, 6 of 8 tracks are originals. Amoung them, the smooth new age jazz opening "Listen To My Heartbeat" with mild synth pads, and similarly floating ambience "Over The Seven Seas" are amazing. The album also features a wide range of compositions, including bossa rhythms and covers. Great underrated piece. Due to the transition to CDs, the LP version appears to be quite rare.

Barry Harrisに師事しジャズをメインとしながらもクラシック, ラテン, ブラジル, ブルースまでジャンルにとらわれない活動で、現在まで数多くの作品をリリースしているジャズピアニスト国府弘子。本作はセカンドアルバムに当たる88年の作品。渡嘉敷祐一, 岡沢章, 岩見和彦らのバッキングの元、8曲中6曲がオリジナル。まず冒頭の柔らかなシンセパッドが鳴るスムース・ニューエイジ・ジャズ”Listen To My Heartbeat”と浮遊するようにアンビエンスに溢れた同タイプの”Over The Seven Seas”が素晴らしい、他にもボッサのリズムやカバーまで幅広い構成。いい内容です。CD移行期に付きLP盤は稀少となっている模様。