Junko Moriya Orchestra - Points Of Departure (2005)

This is the first new album in four years from the highly acclaimed Junko Moriya - a gifted musician who’s previous two releases on the Nippon Crown Ninety-One label earned significant praise. For this project, she leads a big band, once again enlisting Don Sickler - her key collaborator since her debut - as a primary advisor. The repertoire consists of seven original compositions by Moriya alongside four well-known standards. The album is a remarkably fresh and substantial work, showcasing a dramatic, spirited performance that embodies the essence of a contemporary modern big band - skillfully balancing a cool, smart, and refined aesthetic with raw, explosive, and vibrant dynamism. Riding on a rhythmic foundation rich in diverse, groove-laden patterns, the music unfolds as a complex, multi-layered architectural structure. Within this, the ensemble’s intricate, colorfully textured arrangements intersect seamlessly with sharp, emotionally charged, and compelling solos from individual musicians. Together, these elements weave a vivid, narrative-driven storyline full of depth and dynamic peaks and valleys. The brilliance of Moriya’s arranging is on full display; even when the music navigates complex, multi-faceted, and unconventional shifts, the sonic space remains consistently clear, bright, and open—allowing the sound to breathe. Furthermore, the soloists shine brightly: Moriya herself delivers a "bop-inflected" performance marked by a mild, elegant, and poised grace, while the horn section contributes bold, aggressive, and passionate playing. Each soloist demonstrates a keen sense of dramatic structure, naturally balancing this with a fresh, spontaneous, and authentic improvisational spirit. This is a truly accomplished work - refreshing, vibrant, and exceptionally groovy. The original compositions possess a rare, distinctive charm, characterized by an expansive (perhaps even pastoral?) lyricism rendered with a contemporary sensibility. (The contrast with the straightforward, bop-inflected, and bluesy approach taken on the included jazz standards is exquisite.) It is a thoroughly exhilarating and invigorating listen. ~ catfish-records.jp. [Translated From Japanese] 

Spice Of Life, SOL JP-0001, 2005
Recorded 2nd & 3rd February, 2005 at Sound City, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Junko Moriya - Piano, Arranger
Don Sickler - Conductor
Eric Miyashiro, Mitsukuni Kohata, Akira Okumura, Yoshiro Okazaki - Trumpet
Hideaki Nakaji, Yuzo Kataoka, Haruki Sato, Satoshi Kono - Trombone
Kazuhiko Kondo, Hidenori Midorikawa - Alto Saxophone
Osamu Koike - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Andy Wolfe - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Daiji Miyamoto - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Koichi Osamu - Bass
Masahiko Osaka - Drums

Tracks:
01. Highway {Junko Moriya} (6:58)
02. Departure {Junko Moriya} (7:27)
03. I Love You {Cole Porter} (5:10)
04. Wind Farm {Junko Moriya} (6:50)
05. 25% Solution {Junko Moriya} (6:35)
06. All Blues {Miles Davis} (6:19)
07. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers} (3:37)
08. Mobius {Junko Moriya} (5:17)
09. Fragments {Junko Moriya} (5:04)
10. Heartsong {Junko Moriya} (5:23)
11. Fascinating Rhythm {George Gershwin} (5:13) 

Total Time: 63:56 

Credits:
Producer - Junko Moriya, Don Sickler
Assistant Producer - Maureen Sickler
Recording Engineer - Shinichi Tanaka
Mixing Engineer - Jim Anderson
Mastering Engineer - Alan Silverman
Photo - Masataka Ishida
Cover Layout - Takeshi Okuda

LINK

"Highway" Live