Ami Fukui’s third album New Journey grabs the listener’s attention with colorful, immersive songs, 11 well-crafted originals played with exciting energy and vigor.

Much of the music builds on strong rhythms and bassline hooks (credit given to Kudo and Fukumori, whose brightness and expert rhythms fit the music perfectly), over which catchy melodies soar.

Throughout the album, surprises and discoveries often surface – bonus interludes, doubled-up lines, coordinated syncopation, even some voice and handclaps - compositional embellishments that demonstrate Fukui’s dedication to careful songwriting which pleases the listener. The result: lush music that grooves with fun, pure and simple.

New Journey by Ami Fukui Trio

• Ami Fukui - piano
• Show Kudo - double bass, electric bass
• Yasushi Fukumori - drums
• Akiko Suda - vocals (#7)

Released in 2016 on Diw The Grace as DG-1007.

Japanese names: 福井亜実 Fukui Ami 工藤精 Kudo Show 福森康 Fukumori Yasushi 須田晶子 Suda Akiko

Audio and Video

• Live performance of the last track, “Burn Red”:

• Excerpt from track #6: “ニュー・ジャーニー (New Journey)”

Jazz of Japan #32 • Mar 16, 2018 • Brian McCrory