Rie Taguchi: The Gift II

May 26, 2023

Vocalist and pianist Rie Taguchi delivers a follow-up to her debut album The Gift with her 2021 album naturally titled The Gift II. This swinging outing features her Special Sextet as before with new outstanding arrangements.

Presenting Taguchi’s sweetly mellow voice in an exquisite frame, Pianist Seiji Endo arranged all the songs on this album, and his vision combined with the front line of saxophone, violin, and guitar creates a lush, big band-style sound from the six instruments.

From thrilling and upbeat to smooth and slow, the musicians play together tightly, forming a solid foundation and spotlight for the singer. Listeners can easily imagine Taguchi elegantly standing on stage with a tall mic stand next to her and the Special Sextet decked out stylishly behind her. Taguchi’s delivery is direct but soft, rounded and sincere, verging on husky but always in balance. In particular, the positive attitude of her voice shines like a smile throughout the album.

Like the previous Special Sextet album, The Gift II is straightforward, cheerful, and classic jazz with big band sensibilities. The music emphasizes swing with a fullness of energy and brightness. Perhaps like other albums created during the gloom of the pandemic years, the musicians may have felt added motivation to create and spread joy through their music.

The Gift II abounds in swing and grace with jazz standards including “A Foggy Day”, “Cheek to Cheek”, and “Night and Day”. Other tracks like a dreamy “Misty” and an adventurous “Caravan” build up tension with dynamic changes and a slight sense of mystery. Closing the album, Chick Corea’s always-welcome composition “Spain” is slightly rearranged by Endo with tasteful finesse and performed exuberantly, supplying another exotic and sparkling gem in Rie Taguchi’s bejeweled offering.

Liner Notes

(Translated from the original Japanese liner notes written by Rie Taguchi.)

After five years, a jewel box of spun notes...

Five years since the previous work "The Gift"!

A gift of sounds from the magnificent Special Sextet. After five years of accumulating live concerts and adding wonderful arrangements with each performance, we've arrived at repertoire of 40 songs. The universe of arrangements by Seiji Endo tells a story, song by song, each performed by the Special Sextet's musicians with craftsman-like mastery. The world of the arrangements has expanded even further, unfolding on stage with thrilling excitement. I was thinking that I wanted to release this world on a CD!

Yet with the hurdles in moving forward and the unprecedented events of the coronavirus, the situation prevented us from easily creating music together as musicians on stage... I hit upon the thought that it was the right time to make a CD. After asking for support through crowdfunding, I received a whopping 250 people who graciously supported my idea.

Truly, truly thank you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate everyone who participated in crowdfunding, and to each and every person who supported us in other ways throughout. Please accept this present, this gift of notes and sound.

Rie Taguchi