Sumi Tonooka - Here Comes Kai (1992)

Named for her toddler son, this 1991 trio album from Sumi Tonooka is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Accompanied by Rufus Reid on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, it's an an album of good, uncomplicated but inventive post-bop jazz; the trio format naturally provides an intimate listening experience and it's a fairly relaxed (and relaxing) album with some new takes on some jazz standards (Giant Steps, Warm Valley, UMMG) and five originals including the title track. A fine example of Tonooka's musicianship from a discography that is lamentably small for a pianist of her calibre. ~ J. McDonald, Amazon. com.

Candid Productions, CCD 79516, 1992
Recorded 28th March 1991 at Clinton Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Sumi Tonooka - Piano
Rufus Reid - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (6:08)
2. It Must Be Real {Sumi Tonooka} (7:23)
3. At Home {Sumi Tonooka} (8:41)
4. In The Void {Sumi Tonooka} (8:04)
5. Warm Valley {Duke Ellington} (6:49)
6. Upper Manhattan Medical Group {Billy Strayhorn} (7:22)
7. The Mystery {Sumi Tonooka} (7:45)
8. Here Comes Kai {Sumi Tonooka} (4:52) 

Total Time: 57:04

Credits:
Producer - Yoshio Maki
Executive-Producer - Alan Bates
Engineer - Gene Curts
Design - Harry Bates
Liner Notes - Brian Priestley