Home » Jazz Musicians » Taeko Kunishima Discography

Dictionary Land

Taeko Kunishima

Label: 33 Jazz
Released: 2022
Duration: 0:53:15
Views: 809

Tracks

Dictionary Land: White Whale; Random Thought in the Dark; Image and Space; Corvidae; Love and Peace; Dialogue with Solitude; La Mer et La Rose

Personnel

Album Description

Pianist Taeko Kunishima was a long-term resident in both Japan and London and is now based in West Wales. Her trademark lyricism is found again on her fifth album release, Dictionary Land. Taeko has newly composed eight beautiful pieces, in a thoughtful, melodic vein. Her music shifts elegantly from melody to improvisation and sometimes starting with the local sound of waves combined with a song thrush, or a train going over a steel bridge in Japan. She had long absence from music activity in her youth due to living in the Middle East and few years after in London. Her compositions reflect the emotional experience of the diverse cultures. Her core group features the deep rich sound of Paul Moylan’s double bass which underpins every tune. He contributes a Middle Eastern mood with his beautiful “Taqsim” melody line on “Image and Space.” The album conveys the listener to surprising locations with Jeremy Hawkins field recordings. The brilliant young percussionist Camilo Tirado plays tabla and various percussion. The ethereal tones of the shakuhachi flute are fully realised in the hands of Clive Bell, Europe’s leading exponent of this instrument. Francesca-Ter-Berg contributes the Middle Eastern vocalisation. The track “La Mer et La Rose” her piano solo piece, features both an elegant and sensitive touch. Produced in the UK by Camilo Tirado and Taeko Kunishima, and engineered by the indefatigable Camilo Tirado, with recording work by Sean Woodlock. “Dictionary Land” is released on Paul Jolly’s label, 33 Jazz. It is her most thoughtful record yet and engages with the various cultures known to her. For more information or performance contact: [email protected] www.taekokunishima.com