Yuko Mabuchi Trio Vol. 1—Yarlung Records 45 RPM Vinyl
This was a very fortuitous vinyl find during a typical internet search of interesting LPs via Amazon, Discogs, eBay, you know, a basic Saturday morning record search. What’s good out there? What can I afford this weekend?
I spotted this on the Yarlung Records website. Based in Los Angeles, “Yarlung Records uses minimalist audiophile recording techniques to deliver sound as close to living performance as possible. Rather than using recording studios, engineer Bob Attiyeh produces these albums in concert halls famous for their acoustics”. Attiyeh did indeed produce and record this album with mastering help from Steve Hoffman. The 45 RPM mastering on this release was by Bernie Grundmann. So, the gold standard for an all-analogue LP.
Japanese jazz pianist Yuko Mabuchi began playing piano at the age of 4. She was influenced in her teens by American popular music and began her jazz journey after falling in love with the genre during high school. Her jazz studies then began in earnest. Studies in LA were followed by developing a trio back in Japan and then another move back to the US in 2016.
The balance of her trio is Del Atkins on bass and Bobby Breton on drums.
This recording (in two volumes—this review is of Vol. 1 only. Vol. 2 is en route) was recorded live at USC (Cammilleri Hall) and has become a darling record of audiophiles since. But, this is no “audiophile” recording in the negative sense. To be honest, I find many “audiophile specialty” recordings to be the mark of death for a musician. It’s an easy way to get a segment of the public interested, but oftentimes, I find artist quality and performances fall far short of the ideal.
No such worries with Mabuchi and her partners. They are the real deal. And as a bonus, you’ll be getting a spectacular recording.
Yuko Mabuchi, Del Atkins and Bobby Breton. Cooper Bates photography.
Mabuchi is a jazz pianist blessed with taste, a gorgeous piano tone (Steinway), superb improvisational skills and can swing. Unless we’re talking about the greats, many jazz pianists today may possess two or even three of those talents, but Mabuchi has all four.
The recording by Yarlung is an audiophile’s wet dream. The perfect test record trifecta, too—a (brief) speaking voice, clapping and the always difficult-to-record piano in an intimate, beautiful space. Score!
But before jazz lovers go running for the hills—audiophiles have not had the best luck with recent jazz piano trios famed for audiophile sound and played incessantly at audio shows—musically mediocre. And let’s not get into the flavour of the month audiophile female jazz singers, more mediocrity. As such, audiophiles, jazz lovers and connoisseurs of the jazz piano trio can purchase this fantastic record without fear.
The natural style of the recording, where bass, mids and treble seem in perfect harmony serves to highlight the almost tactile subtlety of the trio’s work. Mabuchi will be playing a solo, and we are glued to her musicality, then, almost imperceptibly, her partners enter and change the vibe and drive. It must have been fun to hear them live. The small audience seems very appreciative.
Sadly, only four tracks on Vol. 1 and at 45RPM, it goes by far too quickly. You’ll be into her Paso Doble-inspired “On Green Dolphin Street” then straight into her quirky arrangement of “Seriously”. Best to start with the brief voice intro before her beautiful performance of “What Is Thing Called Love” and followed by a mesmerizing rendition of “Valse Noire”, originally a classical work for solo piano by Mark Lehman.
Getting to know Mabuchi’s artistry has been a pleasure. For once, we have the best of both worlds, artistry and technology. A shame it’s over 2 volumes. Makes for a wonderful but expensive listen. I’ll report on Vol. 2 after it arrives.
