JAZZ JAPAN (JP) - Mr Hiroki Sugita / 2018.01, #88
Translated from Japanese to English.
A debut album from of a pianist who collected songs related to his home country
This debut album is by a pianist who has been playing professionally for 11 years. He seems to have opted for a solo project because he wanted his first work as leader to rest solely on his own skills. The album contains a bluesy version of an old song, Folk Melody From Västmanland, which doubles as Sweden's national anthem. Serenade is a melodic beauty, while Hymn To Love and At Frösö Church are reminiscent of Keith Jarrett pieces. And there's a jazzy spice to the title track, Dreams Of Belonging, that combines folk and classical influences. Södermalm is the best song and appears to capture the essence of Sweden. I discovered a talented pianist in this album.