DAVE BRUBECK — Jazz Impressions of Japan (review)

DAVE BRUBECK — Jazz Impressions of Japan album cover Album · 1964 · Cool Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
The Dave Brubeck Quartet is pretty damn wonderful on their third ‘Impressions’ record, released not long after their commercial peak. If this album isn’t as well-known as monsters like ‘Time Out’ or ‘At Carnegie Hall’ I’d argue that it shouldn’t be too far behind. While it’s not a masterpiece, it’s an essential Brubeck work and deserves some extra attention.

A mostly contemplative set, there’s an ethereal quality to a lot of the pieces, as the influence of Japanese scales is skilfully interwoven with more familiar Brubeck fare – this is done most convincingly (to my ears) in the beautiful ‘Koto Song’ with its subtle cymbal and tom work from Morello and stand-out performances from Dave and Paul.

In fact, Morello employs a wide range of Japanese percussion instruments throughout, really adding to the Eastern tone of proceedings, ensuring this is one of the quartet’s most satisfying and distinctive records. While it is dominated by quieter moments and relaxed tempos, such as ‘Rising Sun’ with Desmond’s honeyed alto leading, or the mournful ‘Fujiyama’ which is another stand out, there is some snap to proceedings. Opener ‘Tokyo Traffic’ is jaunty and reflects the busy city, as does ‘Toki’s Theme’ (which also served as a characters theme song from a cancelled television series) and appears to be the song that has the most fun.

There are no missteps here; Dave Brubeck has soaked up the feel of urban and pastoral Japan while on tour and returned to New York to blend it with Cool Jazz in what is easily one of the Quartet’s best.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Jason Stein, Marilyn Crispell, Damon Smith, Adam Shead : Spi​-​raling Horn Avant-Garde Jazz
JASON STEIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Utopia Jazz Related Improv/Composition
OLIVER LUTZ
Buy this album from MMA partners
Charlie Pyne Quartet : Nature Is A Mother Vocal Jazz
CHARLIE PYNE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes : Outpost of Dreams Vocal Jazz
NORMA WINSTONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Djabe & Steve Hackett : When the Sound Turns Sweet Fusion
DJABE
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Lift
DAVE WILSON (US/NZ)
js· 1 day ago
Nature is a Mother
CHARLIE PYNE
js· 1 day ago
Marta Warelis solo @ FourOneOne 5-11-23
MARTA WARELIS
js· 2 days ago
The Chapparrals - Shake Your Head (US, 1978) [Full LP] {Funk, Disco, Soul} ??ULTRA RARE KILLER LP??
THE CHAPPARRALS
js· 3 days ago
Argyle - Art Installation (Full Album)
ARGYLE
js· 3 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed