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Gooey Butter Cake by Jun Iida

From the album

Album Title: Evergreen
Label: OA2 Records
Released: 2023

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About the Album

Trumpeter Jun Iida's warm, inviting tone, astute composition choices and his sublime sense of melody lead the way on his debut recording. After five years in Los Angeles and three in Seattle, ‘Evergreen’ memorializes the musical focus and development that transpired over those years, as he moves on to new adventures in New York. Recorded in Los Angeles, Jun brought together L.A. friends Josh Nelson on piano, guitarist Masami Kuroki and bassist Jonathan Richards, along with the dynamic Seattle drummer Xavier Lecouturier. New York vocalist Aubrey Johnson brilliantly adds to Jun's soaring melodies with her often wordless vocals, and sings in Japanese on a song from Jun's childhood, "Akatombo," and the J-pop anime song “Shiki no Uta,” both in a nod to Jun's family heritage. Between the swinging “Gooey Butter Cake” and “Bellarosa,” to the haunting “Theme from Spartacus,” or the spacious title track, Jun shares a sparkling and compelling message that's sure to resonate.

Tracks

Gooey Butter Cake; Akatombo; Evergreen; Shiki no Uta; Bellarosa; Forgotten Memories; Love Theme from Spartacus; My Anguish in Solidarity; Song for Luke; Holding On to Autumn.

Personnel

Reviews

Evergreen by Nicholas F. Mondello

Date featured

January 10, 2024

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.