TETHERED MOON — Tethered Moon (review)

TETHERED MOON — Tethered Moon album cover Album · 1992 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Tethered Moon was Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi (who passed away last summer)probably most successful project in Western market. Tokyo-born, Kikuchi lived in New York for decades but never won a real popularity in States (similarly in Japan,where he played and recorded extensively as well).

Tethered Moon were a all-star trio founded as secret Japanese King/Paddle Wheel label's weapon searching for success on European market. Two trio's other members were both established stars in Europe, Kikuchi played with them both already for some time as well. So - pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian debut album "Tethered Moon", released originally in Germany by Japanese label King/Paddle Wheel.

Before recording of the album's music, Kikuchi for some years played with different fusion projects almost using electric keyboards, so "Tethered Moon" is kind of his return to acoustic piano (mostly for good). Peacock and Motian are extra-class rhythm section which on this album play surprisingly straight if groovy. Album opens with three standards,continues with three Peacock original and finishes with long (over 14 minute)Kikuchi's "Tethered Moon".

Music is mid-tempo,tuneful,warm,even dreamy in moments. Kikuchi plays in characteristic for that period slightly chamber manner with touch of humor what makes all music more alive and playful. Being accessible listening,this album was hardly an event of the year, but aptly hitting the fashion of the day (presenting high-class hybrid of Paul Bley progressive chamber piano post-bop and European contemporary jazz ECM sound)it helped a lot establishing the band name in European (and later - US market). Next year after European release,the album has been released in US by Evidence, upcoming decade bring five more Tethered Moon albums (all - on German labels).

Not Kikuchi's (or any of other two trio's member) most innovative,original or just interesting music, Tethered Moon were good choice for those searching for accessible but intelligent and quality jazz during 90s. Very possible this project opened to Kikuchi doors to German ECM Records some years later (on this label Masabumi released some his most mature music ever)
Share this review
more

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

Port’Inglês World Fusion
CARMEN SOUZA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Green Puma / Tropical Dandy Jazz Related Rock
THE LINK QUARTET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Vinny Golia Quintet : Can You Outrun Them? 21st Century Modern
VINNY GOLIA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Bow Code Fusion
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthem For No Man’s Land Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ANDREAS SCHAERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Paper Plane Pilot
MIKE DE SOUZA
js· 10 hours ago
Green Puma
THE LINK QUARTET
js· 10 hours ago
Heavy Cream
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
js· 13 hours ago
Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 1 day ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 1 day 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