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Topic ClosedThe prog fusion phenomenon known as Hiromi

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Kyo View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: The prog fusion phenomenon known as Hiromi
    Posted: April 16 2008 at 20:39
I originally posted this on another forum, but I figured that quite a few people
here might be interested in this recommendation as well, so here goes:

The search function revealed no real discussion of Hiromi's music on this forum.
I think that's quite surprising, seeing how popular this young Japanese pianist/
keyboardist has become in recent years. And while there's a strong jazz element
to her music, there's no denying the prog influences in her own brand of modern
fusion - she even lists Dream Theater and King Crimson among her influences!

Also, while her first three albums were mostly piano trio affairs, her last album Time
Control featured an extended group ("Hiromi's Sonicbloom") with the pretty amazing
Dave Fiuczynski added on (sometimes fretless) guitar. So I think Time Control in
particular should appeal to many fans of instrumental prog albums.

You can check out two full songs on her MySpace site:
http://www.myspace.com/hiromimusic

The intro of "Time Difference" should get any prog fan's attention immediately.  Big%20smile

And there are six "complete" (just slightly edited) tunes available for free here:
http://www.hiromimusic.com/downloads.htm

Check out all of the stuff from the Brain EP (the wacky Kung-Fu World Champion
is a tribute to Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan and unusually synth-heavy for Hiromi)
and particularly the crazy XYZ from her debut (!) CD - I remember someone once
referring to this as "sounds like acoustic Planet X" and I think that's quite fitting.  :)

Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

Edited by Kyo - April 16 2008 at 20:46
"Freedom in the 21st Century means being incommunicado."

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Dick Heath View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 17 2008 at 05:37
I wish the local search engine was much better here, (it misses so much) but if it did work well you would have found Hiromi's name come up a number of times.  BTW her first album was suggested by critics to have some Krimson elements about it, although I've not seen tany reference to Planet X before. Before everybody charges off to buy albums thinking they are going to get a Krimson or Planet X clone, her music is very individual with heavy emphasis on the acoustic grand piano (which admittedly takes some heavy hammering at time), in the tradition of some the great 60's jazz pianists. I would suggest if you like EST, The Bad Plus or Brad Mehldau then chance you'll like Hiromi. BTW XYZ is a favourite.
 
Personally I think Dave Fuze Fiuczynski has a better claim to be included in PA, his work in the jazz rock/jazz funk areas since the early nineties has been very innovative. His solo album Jazz Punk will startle with his range of guitar skills, deconstructs/improv/arrangements. With the handful Screaming Headless Torso albums they reveal an awesome array of jazz, fusion, soul etc jammin' - this isn't safe music - if you want safe music with those tags go for the Dave Matthews Band. And if you can find it the album he did with MMW's John Medeski, Lunar Crush. He has also guested with Gongzilla.


Edited by Dick Heath - April 17 2008 at 05:39
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Kyo View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 17 2008 at 06:39
There are quite a few odd time signatures, meter changes and rather complex
compositions to be found on Hiromi's albums, so I really think she's quite
"prog". It's hard to categorize music with so many influences, though.

I've only heard Fuze on Hiromi's CDs so far, any recordings of his that
you'd recommend in particular? He's recorded quite a lot of stuff. :)
"Freedom in the 21st Century means being incommunicado."

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 17 2008 at 07:04
I have a friend who listens to Hiromi. I might ask him for some.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 17 2008 at 08:15
Originally posted by Kyo Kyo wrote:

There are quite a few odd time signatures, meter changes and rather complex
compositions to be found on Hiromi's albums, so I really think she's quite
"prog". It's hard to categorize music with so many influences, though.

I've only heard Fuze on Hiromi's CDs so far, any recordings of his that
you'd recommend in particular? He's recorded quite a lot of stuff. :)
 
Fuze's Jazz Punk
Screaming Headless Torsos Live
Medeski/Fuiczynski Lunar Crush
and in that order, but I think you may have to go to Fuze's website for most of these albums.
The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS.
CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php
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Kyo View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 17 2008 at 09:14
Thanks!
"Freedom in the 21st Century means being incommunicado."

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 18 2008 at 12:24
I have Spiral and consider it to be one of the best albums in my collection. I wouldnt really consider her prog, but then I'm no expert on either jazz or jazz rock/fusion (in the context of this site).

Very impressive artist all the same.
Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 18 2008 at 13:20
Yeah, Spiral is great. I really can't decide if I like that one better or Time Control. Probably the
latter by a slight margin - at least that way I can keep saying that her albums keep getting better. LOL

Her music is certainly not entirely prog, but if a track like Edge with that wild intro (in 19/8 if I
remember correctly) isn't, then what is? Big%20smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 18 2008 at 16:40
She's pretty good, definitely. Brain and Time Spiral are both worthy additions to any jazz/fusion collection. Thumbs%20Up
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 18 2008 at 18:52
Album with Hiromi and Chick Corea advertised recently
The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS.
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