Ryoko Ono: The Days

Saxophonist Ryoko Ono may not be well known in the United States, yet she has been active for almost two decades in her hometown of Nagoya, Japan. Both as an independent artist and with her genre-defying ensemble Ryorchestra, Ono has recorded several superb albums. The haunting The Days, on the New York based Relative Pitch label, is her first US release.

Made up of nine solos, most named after days of the week, this set is entirely improvised. The tunes range from the bluesy to the ethereal with an undercurrent of contemplation and lyricism. The fiery "Monday" simmers with soul. Ono embellishes the undulating melody with occasional squawks and a rapid fire of notes. She also deftly utilizes silent pauses to underscore the tense ambience that her extemporization creates.

In contrast, "Friday" starts off hesitantly with mellifluous, chant-like refrains that slowly morph and coalesce into a spiritual piece. Ono makes her phrases stretch out as the performance progresses, often flirting with dissonance. She also peppers in vaguely Baroque motifs going from structured repetitions to a dynamic, free-flowing, spontaneity with elegant virtuosity. The unexpected changes and the pushing of the thematic boundaries are never jarring and only add to the intrigue of the music.

Meanwhile, "Doomsday" mimics an air raid siren with its resonant drone that quickly builds an angst-ridden atmosphere. As the long reverberating lines ebb and flow the, track—true to its name—creates a sense of foreboding that slowly fades into an uneasy silence. Elsewhere "Pixyday," played only on a mouthpiece, is both whimsical and esoteric. Perhaps the most theatrical tune on the album, it benefits from Ono's inventive use of sound effects that are never self-indulgent but feel as a natural extension of the tune.

The exciting "Phonyday," featuring Ono's spoken words overdubbed over her passionate wailing saxophone, makes for an apt conclusion to a uniquely creative work. The Days is recording that is accessible and simultaneously provocative. It remains a stimulating listen even after a few plays.