SATOKO FUJII — Satoko Fujii Ma-Do: Time Stands Still (review)

SATOKO FUJII — Satoko Fujii Ma-Do: Time Stands Still album cover Album · 2013 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
J-Man
With the untimely death of bassist Norikatsu Koreyasu after the recording of Time Stands Still, the third album from Satoko Fujii Ma-Do marks the end of this unique Japanese quartet. Led by prolific jazz pianist Satoko Fujii, this 2013 release explores avant-garde and experimental stylings while remaining under the guidance of a melodic and acoustic style of jazz. It's a unique album for sure, and although it may be tough to appreciate for fans of more conventional music, listeners with an ear for experimental sounds should enjoy this sonic journey.

Beginning with the frantic screeching of an acoustic bass before evolving into a frenzied improvisation centered around oddly melodic phrasing and dissonant chord structures, the opening tune (entitled "Fortitude") gives a pretty good idea of what you can expect from the rest of the record. Time Stands Still feels pretty esoteric at times, but the strong improvisations and group interplay keep the album from sounding "avant-garde for the sake of being avant-garde".

Time Stands Still strikes me as an inspired work created by a quartet of musicians with some real chemistry between each other. Although it's a shame we'll probably never hear another album from Satoko Fujii Ma-Do, this group has made a strong exit statement with Time Stands Still.

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

I’m Just Say’n Avant-Garde Jazz
JOE MCPHEE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Renascence World Fusion
CYMANDE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Self 21st Century Modern
CHES SMITH
Buy this album from MMA partners
ARC Jazz Related Improv/Composition
FANTASTIC SWIMMERS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Fervency Bop
PASQUALE GRASSO
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Cymande - Chasing An Empty Dream (Official Visualiser)
CYMANDE
snobb· 3 hours ago
Piero Umiliani - Musica Dell' Era Technologica - 1972 - Full Album
PIERO UMILIANI
js· 2 days ago
Use Of Light: Kurt Rosenwinkel + Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos (OJM) - Live At CARA
KURT ROSENWINKEL
js· 2 days ago
Emma-Jean Thackray - Wanna Die (Official Video)
EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY
snobb· 2 days ago
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder - Balloon Pop (Official Audio)
HIROMI
snobb· 3 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed