Yuto Mitomi

Epicycle

Self-Released, 2025

9/10

Listen Epicycle

The Japanese jazz saxophonist and composer Yuto Mitomi is joined by Takahiro Izumikawa, Takahiro Izumikawa, and Keita Ogawa for these 8 adventurous tracks that are improvised but with structure.

The lush and warm “Morning Haze” begins with Izumikawa’s mature keys alongside Mitomi’s soulful sax for the elegant and rich jazz climate, and “Dew” follows with Ogawa’s frisky drums that suit the flowing melodies and cozy sax.

Halfway through, “Epicycle II” is percussively strong amid the lively sax and well timed keys, while “Grappling Cats” is both cautious and exploratory, as the quartet blend their inimitable talents with much creativity.

“Spline” and “Same Sky, Same Night” exit the listen. The former is mesmerizing, harmonic and makes great use of Fukushima’s skilled bass, and the latter is more rock focused, where Mitomi’s bright wind aligns with scrappy keys and the dense rhythm section.

A really stylish and playful version of modern jazz, Mitomi and his company improvised 3 tracks in the studio, and the other 5 are unpredictable and exciting, too.

Travels well with: Nic Vardanega- New Beginning; Alexa Torres Quartet- In Situ

Lyn Stanley

Lyn Stanley’s Favorite Takes: London With A Twist Live At Bernie’s

ATM, 2019

8/10

Listen to Lyn Stanley’s Favorite Takes London With A Twist Live At Bernie’s

The esteemed swing singer is no stranger to taking risks in her career, and here Lyn Stanley delivers a direct to disc recording that bypasses magnetic tape and goes straight to analog.

“Route 66” starts the album with a light jazz setting of agile percussion and plenty of rhythm as Stanley’s smooth vocals guide the way, and her version of Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” has the songstress entering rhythm and blues territory with lively results.

Further on, Stanley gets emotional with the heartfelt “Lover Man”, while the vocally sublime “Love Letters” truly captures the depth of her singing abilities. Deeper cuts include the intimate “Body And Soul”, and the listen ends with “In The Still Of The Night”, where much attention to groove finishes the affair.

If you’re paying attention, this is Stanley’s 2nd nod to Julie London as she released London Calling not too long ago, and her unique recording process here really adds to the genuine experience.

Though she may have gotten a late start in the music world, Stanley is making up for it quick, already winning Female Jazz Vocalist Of The Year in 2018, and those inimitable pipes again make Live At Bernie’s mandatory listening for jazz enthusiasts.

Travels well with: Julie London- Sophisticated Lady; Diana Krall- The Look Of Love