Epicycle
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
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