Altitude 1100 Meters
Libra, 2025
9/10
Listen to Altitude 1100 Meters
The pianist/composer Satoko Fujii expands her horizons with plenty of strings via the 5 adventurous tracks.
“Part 1: Morning Haze” opens the listen with a mysterious haze, as Akira Horikoshi’s subtle drums enter alongside the manipulated violins from Ayako Kato and Yuriko Mukoujima, and “Part 2: Morning Sun” follows with Fujii’s agile keys guiding the ambience that’s a bit haunting, even ominous.
“Part 3: Early Afternoon” lands in the middle and benefits from Atsuko Hatano’s moody viola before the dizzying display of acrobatic drumming enters, while “Part 4: Light Rain” relies on plucked strings and Hiroshi Yoshino’s distorted bass via the cinematic exploration.
“Part 5: Twilight” exits the listen, and it’s 11+ minutes of artistic songwriting that’s tender, dramatic and even jarring sometimes.
Another creative installment of her atypical vision, Fujii puts an inestimable spin on jazz with exciting results.
Travels well with: Satoko Fujii Quartet- Dog Days Of Summer; Natsuki Tamura/Satoko Fujii- Aloft