Jazz of Japan

Share this post

Naoko Akimoto: No One Else

www.jazzofjapan.com

Discover more from Jazz of Japan

Introducing modern-day jazz of Japan through albums, musicians, and clubs
Continue reading
Sign in

Naoko Akimoto: No One Else

Brian McCrory
May 15, 2023
Share this post

Naoko Akimoto: No One Else

www.jazzofjapan.com
Share

Vocalist Naoko Akimoto’s debut release No One Else is a seven-song introduction to the popular singer, a presentation of standard jazz and Japanese pop arranged with care and performed by top musicians from Tokyo.

The arrangements are nice, particularly on the opening track “Moondance” which opens with a deep bass, piano, and vibes setting up a grove for Akimoto to lead the listener through the atmospheric drama of the tune. The decorated arrangements include vocal harmonies with trumpet, flute, and other instruments adding beautiful layers to the music.

After the classy opener, the album continues with the title track “No One Else”, a soulful pop ballad written by Akimoto. The remaining five tracks include three jazz standards: the chaste “I’ve Got A Crush On You”, a sultry “This Masquerade”, and a tender, bossa-flavored “Fly Me To The Moon”. While Akimoto sings in English for most of the album, she chooses to sing in Japanese for two pop songs, “Sentimental” and “Ajisai”, adding to the musical variety and showing us more of Akimoto’s range and affection on her album debut.

No One Else by Naoko Akimoto

  • Naoko Akimoto - vocal

  • Seiji Endo - piano

  • Akiyoshi Shimizu - bass

  • Ko Omura - drums

  • Shinpei Inoue - flute

  • Yasuhiro Matsuda - alto sax

  • Shinpei Ruike - trumpet

Released in 2012 on Marmalade Records as MARM-0004.

Japanese names: Naoko Akimoto 秋元直子 Seiji Endo 遠藤征志 Akiyoshi Shimizu 清水昭好 Ko Omura 大村亘 Shinpei Inoue 井上信平 Yasuhiro Matsuda 松田靖弘 Shinpei Ruike 類家心平

Audio and Video

  • Promotional video for this album featuring the song "Moondance"

  • Excerpt from "Fly Me to the Moon", the last track on this album:

1×
0:00
-1:40
Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade.

Share this post

Naoko Akimoto: No One Else

www.jazzofjapan.com
Share
Previous
Next
Comments
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Brian McCrory
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing