Nobuki Takamen

Reviewed: 2018-12-23
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: On his seventh release as a leader, fret-wizard Takamen relies on his fellow trio mates to present a set of exclusively original material. He not only substantiates his reputation as a natural-born bop guitarist, but also proves he is a gifted composer with a highly versatile repertoire.
If You Like: Jim Hall, Jay Beliner, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Haden, Jimmy Cobb
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
**1/ The Circle Game (5:13) – drums start> fast jam> lightning fast guitar solo> drum solo> fast jam> quick stop
2/ Helsingen Taivas (Helsinki Sky) (7:29) – guitar starts> slow jam> guitar solo> slow jam> quick stop
3/ 3 AM (5:46) – guitar starts> spritely midtempo jam> guitar solo swings into uptempo jam> quick fade
*4/ Fox’s Tail (6:15) – bass starts> midtempo hesitating jam> guitar solo> bass/drums duet> slow jam> crescendo & fade
5/ Wonderful Days (5:00) – guitar starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo> bowed bass solo> midtempo jam> fade
**6/ Au-Tico-Ta (3:37) – bass starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> uptempo jam> guitar solo> bass/drum duet> uptempo jam> quick stop
*7/ Blues Alberta (6:32) – guitar starts> slow blues> guitar solo swings to midtempo> pause> bass solo> midtempo jam> crescendo & fade
*8/ Sjecanja za Pamcenje (Memories To Remember) (6:47) – guitar starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo swings uptempo> bass solo> uptempo jam slows to midtempo, the swings back up> crescendo end
*9/ 25 (7:37) – drums start> rocking uptempo jam> sizzling lead guitar> rocking jam> quick stop
10/ Piece For Peace (4:37) – drums/guitar starts> slow jam> guitar solo> slow fade