Eri Yamamoto: In Each Day, Something Good

Yamamoto identifies two starting points for the 10 tracks in this the 60-minute program. Half of the songs she composed through capturing her experience of living in New York City and traveling through other countries to perform. The remainder were conceived as a soundtrack to the 1932 silent movie I Was Born, But..., by influential Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. But whatever the genesis the expression is distinctively Yamamoto, with her rich blues-tinged lines rolling insouciantly against the elegantly spare and unobtrusively rhythmic backing, as the threesome forge an introspective, oblique take on her tunes.

Foreground slots for Ambrosio's blithely melodic bass are sprinkled throughout the disc, particularly captivating on "Blue in Tunisia" and the understated grandeur of "Sheep Song." A dexterously propulsive presence throughout, Takeuchi takes his turn in the spotlight on the sprightly dancing "I Was Born" with a stuttering solo which develops naturally from Yamamoto's insistent dynamic swells. A charming simplicity characterizes many of the themes. From the lilting minor key "Attraction of the Moon" with its melody shyly peering out from the behind the emphatic pulse to the dainty stepping piano and bass motif of "A Little Escape," the trio lays out an abundantly nuanced spread, promising prolonged sustenance. True to its name "We'll Figure Out Blues" overlays a bluesy swing over a lightly clip clopping Latin motion, while "Blue in Tunisia" bespeaks a slightly mysteriously desolate air contrasting with the delicate group interplay. All told it's a delightful set readily consolidating Yamamoto's place at the top table.

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