Hiromi's Sonicwonder: Sonicwonderland by Hiromi Uehara

Let’s look at a short biography:

Hiromi Uehara, born in Hamamatsu in 1979, is a jazz pianist who has won over the world with her incredible technique and her overwhelming energy on stage.  She started playing piano at just six years old and, at seventeen, during a trip to Tokyo, had a chance encounter with Chick Corea.  Struck by her talent, Corea invited her to perform with him in concert the very next day.

Her path then took her to the United States, where she studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  There she met Ahmad Jamal, who became her mentor and helped her sign her first record deal with Telarc, even before graduating.

Her recording debut came in 2003 with the album “Another Mind”. From that moment on, Hiromi led several successful lineups, including The Trio Project, with Anthony Jackson and Simon Phillips, and the recent Sonicwonder quartet.

Hiromi’s music is a unique blend of genres: jazz, progressive rock, classical music and fusion, often enriched by the use of synthesizers alongside the piano.  In 2011, she won a Grammy Award for the album “Stanley Clarke Band” and, in 2021, she performed for a worldwide audience during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

She is known for her physical way of playing: she often stands up, jumps and smiles, turning every concert into an engaging performance.

I reviewed her recent 2025 album “Hiromi's Sonicwonder: Out There by Hiromi Uehara”, an excellent record.

“Sonicwonderland”, released on October 6, 2023, is the first album by Hiromi Uehara’s new quartet, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder. She herself describes it as an “adventurous journey” born in her head and then brought to life with the perfect musicians.  For her, making a record is like directing a film: she is the director looking for the right actor for each role.

The idea for the project started in 2016, when Hadrien Féraud replaced Anthony Jackson at a few concerts. The chemistry was so strong that Hiromi decided to write music specifically for him.  For drums, Hiromi was looking for a warm, organic sound that also felt “fun”. She chose Gene Coye after hearing him play with Stanley Clarke.  Finally, Adam O’Farrill on trumpet is something new for Hiromi: it’s the first time she has had a trumpet in her band on a steady basis. She wanted a sound that could add a “reflective and melancholic” touch in some pieces and lots of energy in others. The opening track, Wanted, musically tells the story of searching for the band members. The instruments enter in chronological order of how Hiromi met them: first bass, then drums, and finally trumpet.

The album is an explosive mix of jazz fusion, funk, pop and classical music, all seasoned with a splash of synthesizers that drive your ears crazy (like the Nord Lead A1 and the Minimoog).  It’s Hiromi’s most electric, funky and experimental album.

On this record, she takes us on a sonic journey she herself calls “heavy-weight jazz-fusion”, a powerful blend of modern jazz-fusion and funk.  Compared to before, the sound is thicker, more “electrified”, thanks to Hadrien Féraud’s electric bass pushing the tracks toward tight, gripping rhythms.

But it doesn’t end there! Hiromi has fun experimenting with synthesizers, layering them over the piano to create a “kooky”, quirky sound that somewhat recalls 8-bit video games. And then there’s Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet, which adds a whole new texture to the music.  Sometimes the trumpet sounds melodic and almost melancholic; other times it’s processed with effects and blends with Hiromi’s synths, creating a truly unique atmosphere.

The tracks are long and intricate, with sudden time changes, perfectly interlocking riffs, and virtuosic improvisations that recall 1970s progressive rock, but with a modern, crystal-clear sound.  And let’s not forget the urban, danceable groove: many tracks are built on circular bass lines and drum beats (Gene Coye) that draw straight from funk and modern groove, making us want to dance!

My copy is the  Telarc with Barcode 0888072547445 on double 45 rpm vinyl.

“Wanted” has a tight groove that grabs you right away: it’s Hadrien Féraud’s fretless bass that kicks things off. Gene Coye steps in on drums, creating a driving rhythm. Then Hiromi, with a solo that starts sweet and melodic and then explodes into a syncopated dance with Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet. A burst of jazz-rock energy with a ’70s funk touch.

“Sonicwonderland” is pure fusion, with influences from prog synths and video games. Hiromi is the queen of this track, dominating the Nord Lead A1 with technical runs that recall the monsters of the ’70s. Féraud supports her with complex harmony, while Coye keeps an explosive energy that never lets up.

“Polaris”  is a ballad that evolves into modern jazz with O’Farrill’s trumpet as the absolute protagonist, with a reflective, melancholic tone that recalls a flugelhorn. The rhythm section works with finesse, creating a wide, “ambient” sound bed that envelops you.

“Go Go” has an urban groove with echoes of Weather Report. Hiromi and Féraud trade lightning-fast riffs, creating a lively, engaging atmosphere. Coye’s drumming is the driving engine, keeping the rhythmic tension alive.

“Up” is a bebop tune fused with funk, an explosive track. Hiromi once again makes her piano virtuosity shine, creating piano lines that quote Hancock and Corea. O’Farrill’s contribution adds brightness and melodic precision.

“Reminiscence (feat. Oli Rockberger)” is the only track with vocals, a soul-jazz ballad that touches the strings of the soul. Oli Rockberger offers a soft, delicate interpretation, while the group serves the melody with elegant, refined accompaniment.

“Trial and Error” is pure electric experimentation and jazz in the style of Miles Davis in the ’80s. Hiromi alternates the grand piano with synth effects, creating a surreal atmosphere. O’Farrill uses pedals to modernize the trumpet sound, adding a touch of mystery and charm.

“Utopia” is the track that celebrates Hadrien Féraud’s talent. His bass takes center stage with a technical, melodic solo of rare intensity.

“Bonus Stage” is a mix of Dixieland, Ragtime (à la Scott Joplin) and Nintendo music. Hiromi “plays” with the keys, creating a fun atmosphere. The band follows that spirit, closing the record with a contagious smile and a driving rhythm.

Hiromi is a true force of nature, both as a director and as a soloist.  She can move from classical rigor to the total anarchy of electronics with disarming ease. Hadrien is the group’s “beating heart”; his fretless bass is the foundation on which all the grooves are built. Adam adds a lyrical and timbral dimension that was missing in Hiromi’s previous work, enriching the sound in a significant way. Gene brings an organic warmth and a dynamic that keeps the record from feeling too mechanical, creating a more human and engaging atmosphere. 

Exceptional album.

My Version

Label: Telarc – 00888072547445
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2023

Tracklist

A1        Wanted    7:12
A2        Sonic Wonderland    8:15
B1        Polaris    10:01
B2        Go Go    7:02
C1        Up    8:57
C2        Reminiscence (Feat. Oli Rockberger) 6:23
D1        Trial And Error    7:21
D2        Utopia    7:15
D3        Bonus Stage    5:11

LineUp

- Hiromi Uehara - piano,  keyboards 
- Adam O'Farrill - trumpet
- Hadrien Féraud - bass
- Gene Coye - drums 
With:
- Oli Rockberger - vocals (6)

Listening links on the main streaming platforms at the following links:

Official multi-platform link: Go to the official redirect page to choose between Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and other services.

Spotify: Listen to the full album on Spotify.

Apple Music: Find the 9 tracks on Apple Music.

Bandcamp: You can listen to and buy the album in high quality on Bandcamp

Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"