Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gato Libre: Strange Village
Gato Libre: Strange Village
ByTamura's soulful trumpet opens wide as he improvises over pretty melodies. He emphasizes passion without being overbearing about it. The focus for the album remains its casual four-part message that roams free as a bird (or cat). Each artist pours heartfelt emotion into the cauldron that represents Tamura's tale, and the mixture heats up from within.
Stress? This village has none. Its music simmers peacefully on the shoulders of Tamura's open horn, Satoko Fujii's soothing accordion, Kazuhiko Tsumura's crystal-clear guitar, and Norikatsu Koreyasu's proud bass. Together, they create a picture of serenity and unity. Celebrations come and go as the quartet explores free jazz with timeless sonority.
"Dance" stirs the pot with anxious passion, while "Dreaming a Lot" settles in comfortably with mellow tones. "Morning Mist" and "Gentle Journey" remain calm and placid, while undercurrents of conversation give the listener volumes of information to consider.
Gato Libre's free association over timeless textural territory gives this highly recommended album a warm embrace. Tamura's open trumpet seals it. His quartet has found a formula that connects the music of our ancestors with the freedom that we enjoy in today's modern society.
Track Listing
Morning Mist; Gentle Journey; Strange Village; Welcome Party; Dialogue; Dance; Dreaming a Lot; Then Normal Life; Journey Again; Wasteland of Peat
Personnel
Natsuki Tamura: trumpet; Kazuhiko Tsumura: guitar; Satoko Fujii: acordion; Norikatsu Koreyasu: bass.
Album information
Title: Strange Village | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Muzak
< Previous
I. Christmas 2005: Something Old...