Hiromi's Sonicwonder: Out There by Hiromi Uehara

Hiromi's Sonicwonder: Out There by the fantastic Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, one of the most talented protagonists of the new jazz scene, also known by her stage name Hiromi, was released in 2025.

Refined fusion, jazz rock at times, but also some epic prog-flavored sections on a couple of tracks, along with some ska and some splendid funk.

Everything is exceptionally well-played.

A memorable album. I haven't heard the others, but that's enough for me to seek them all out and buy this same record on vinyl.

The music is almost orchestral, and each of the musicians has a virtuosic mastery of their instrument and plays an equal role with the others. The music is more melodic than traditional jazz fusion, but with an equally complex sense of rhythm. The tempo changes are not lacking, in fact, they are an integral part of it.

XYZ is an immediate explosion of pure jazz and incredible virtuosity on drums, piano, and wind instruments, a fantastic opening to the album.

Yes! Ramen!! is faster, almost ska-like, with a progression reminiscent of comical gong synths or typical space rock. Classic 1950s jazz, fusion, a musical interlude reminiscent of Japanese atmospheres, but also more open passages, and in the final section, a wonderful, driving and compelling melody, a wonderful piano and drum progression that then returns to eccentric ska and concludes with a Japanese-flavored sound. Exceptional. A masterpiece.

Pendulum is characterized by a beautiful piano and vocal opening, sweet and light, with an intense and engaging vocal part by Michelle Willis. Her tone and range are beautiful, a perfect interpretation that gives way to a stellar piano solo, with the sweetness of the song between your fingers. Romantic and passionate as the piano's dynamics become more incisive and the voice grows. Then the bass and drums enter, at first very light and then more incisive, and it becomes a new piece, a beautiful soft jazz reminiscent of the 1950s in sound but with a contemporary creativity. Then the trumpet enters, entering with a stunning solo that transports us many years back while still bringing the sounds and atmospheres into the present. A masterpiece.

Out There: Takin' Off is fusion, with a beautiful keyboard intro in a theme that continues throughout the song. The fast-paced piece opens almost immediately with the sweeping, enveloping trumpet. An ensemble virtuosity, the piano intervenes to announce a soft moment in which the deep, precise bass and drums lightly accompany a beautiful piano solo, a triumph of counterpoints. The piece briefly becomes a piano and drums solo, then a dizzying bass solo while the trumpet, with its long, drawn-out sounds, repeats the main theme. And then again, a delightful fusion and an overall growth of the drums, which take center stage with a series of breaks and virtuosity over a rhythmic pattern laid out by the bass, piano, and trumpet. Fantastic.

Out There: Strollin' has a funk vibe with a series of perfectly syncopated breaks, where the rhythm is almost provided by the instantaneous silence between them. The trumpet plays a wide range while the band lays down the main rhythm, a captivating and fun piece over which a delightful trumpet solo soars, exploring multiple techniques and sounds... then comes the equally delightful piano solo, with its precise progressions across all octaves and breaks, its sudden tonal leaps, and then it leads the entire ensemble to grow. The breaks in unison with the bass are beautiful. The perfect syncopated breaks return at the end. Another Masterpiece

Out There: Orion begins softly with piano and bass alternating in "silent" and light virtuosity, then creating a sweet, light melody on a theme they first perform alone. Then the trumpet and then the drums join in, and here begins a decidedly epic passage. For a few bars, there's prog between the piano keys, in the trumpet melody, and in the emphasis of the crescendoing melody. Beautiful. Then the splendid fusion returns, with a riot of counter-tempos that form the basis for a spectacular trumpet solo. A spectacular fusion jam that continues until the song's close, with exceptional speed and precision, until the final theme arrives, softer but no less dense with virtuosity, which reopens the epic phase, but this time with beautiful piano dissonances. A piece that shifts mood several times but always with great refinement. Another Masterpiece.

Out There: The Quest begins with a ride reminiscent of prog but then immediately veers into jazz. How beautiful the unison breaks from the entire ensemble! The piano solo is delightful, as is the liveliness of the melody throughout the orchestral parts of the piece. Fantastic.

Like the aforementioned song of the same name, "Pendulum" is very sweet and romantic, but this time it's played entirely on piano, where Hiromi's talent reigns supreme, moving and making you soar. Fantastic. You can feel a light Japanese breeze in the air... flower petals blowing in the wind, a fresh scent, and the reflections of the sun filtering through the trees reflecting on a body of water gently rippling in the wind. You can glimpse black-and-white photographs and women's smiles... a marvel.

Balloon Pop closes the album with tremendous energy; keyboards and drums open the song with harmonious counter-tempos, then the party begins, with a trumpet riff reminiscent of the fantastic notes of Glen Miller. Then comes the virtuosity of piano, drums, and bass, with exceptional tempo changes, then comes the fantastic trumpet... then the bass solo... a bass that seems like a wind instrument, such is the melody and intensity. Then the ensemble, with hilarious, pinpoint breaks, builds to a fantastic, extended drum solo. The opening theme returns, followed by brief alternating solos from all the instruments (the bass surprises me once again...)... a splendid finale.

I'm definitely a Hiromi Uehara fan, join me!!!

The Tracks
1. XYZ (6:56)
2. Yes! Ramen!! (8:14)
3. Pendulum (5:57)
4. Out There: Takin' Off (6:33)
5. Out There: Strollin' (6:43)
6. Out There: Orion (8:10)
7. Out There: The Quest (8:11)
8. Pendulum (6:19)
9. Balloon Pop (6:18)
Running Time 63:21

The Lineup
- Hiromi - piano, keyboards
- Adam O'Farrill - trumpet
- Hadrien Feraud - bass
- Gene Coye - drums
Featuring:
- Michelle Willis - vocals (3)