The jazz group Bungalow displays their original approach to modern art jazz on their second album, Past Life, from 2013. As a jazz quartet featuring airy alto sax and piano, double bass, and drums, the group incorporates creative musical elements such as the use of Indian tabla drums and subtle sound effects and processing, a bit similar to the style of the Swedish jazz group E.S.T.

Bungalow’s compositions are in focus here, and like modern songwriting from Wayne Shorter, the music differs from standard jazz patterns with interesting, well-constructed songs, featuring elements of upbeat swing, poetic and meditative calm, visceral rock and organically looping riffs, embellished with searching melodies and smart improvisation played brilliantly. This is well-balanced and addictive modern jazz that weaves deep musical grooves with imaginative compositions and skillful playing, reflecting future-facing sounds built on traditional music from Past Life.

Past Life by Bungalow

• Masahiro Yamamoto - alto sax, soprano sax, tenor sax
• Koichi Sato - piano
• Hiroshi Ikejiri - bass
• Ko Omura - drums, tabla

Released in 2013 on Studio Songs as YZSO-10036.

Japanese names: 山本昌広 Yamamoto Masahiro 佐藤浩一 Sato Koichi 池尻洋史 Ikejiri Hiroshi 大村亘 Omura Ko

Audio and Video

• Live performance of the title track “Past Life”:

• Excerpt from track #1: “上昇気流 (Updraft)”

Jazz of Japan #44 • May 8, 2018 • Brian McCrory