Under The Surface
ARC, 2025
8/10
The inimitable composer and pianist Sumi Tonooka is joined by Gregg August, Johnathan Blake and the Alchemy Sound Project for these nature-esque songs that embrace chamber and jazz ideas.
The animated drums from Blake starts the listen with “Points Of Depature”, as Tonooka’s swift keys enter the dizzying climate, and “Savour” follows with Samantha Boshnack’s soaring trumpet amid the rich saxophones thanks to Erica Lindsay and Salim Washington.
“Tear Bright” and “Mother Tongue” land in the middle. The former is intimate with mature keys, soft drums and soulful brass, while the latter makes great use of Washington’s lively flute prowess alongside the busy environment.
The title track exits, and balances cautiousness with frisky bouts, where August’s bass acrobatics won’t go unnoticed and the wild drumming and Michael Ventoso’s well timed trombone make an impression, too.
Tonooka and her fine help move deftly from balladry to swingin’ moments and touch on jazz from many eras, and it’s all fleshed out with strong attention to detail.
Travels well with: Noah Haidu- Standards III; Julian Shore Trio- Sub Rosa