From the YouTube page:
The Japanese pianist Hiromi matches spontaneity, technique and communication in her sets, possessing the ultimate in serious intent and lightening humor. As is increasingly the case with many artists nowadays, Hiromi is finding fresh routes. With Sonicwonder she’s now heading up an electronically-flecked quartet that also includes dazzling New York trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, Hadrien Feraud (bass) and Gene Coye (drums).
The Vienne stage sits in the midst of a vast outdoor amphitheater, dwarfed until Hiromi exudes her intimate communication skills, fully inhabiting this potentially inhibiting space. But now we can view the entire 75 minute set on Qwest TV anyway, close-up and sonically pristine. Hiromi always solos joyfully, emitting palpable pleasure and wonderment on her visage, throwing the energy of her entire body into keyboard runs that alternate between crystal detail and devilish power. She moves between acoustic and a pair of Nord keyboards, the smallest of which perches on her piano lid. Her bandmates are slowly invited to reveal their abilities, with O’Farrill awarded an equal place beside Hiromi, showing off his trumpet eloquence. He hardly uses a mute, choosing to play with an open crackle, spraying fireflies directly into space. Bass (from Paris) and drums (from Chicago) deliberately adopt more of a supporting, structural role. Hiromi toys with retro synth-bass vamps, the funk rising up, but then she’ll rein back in to the delicate flow of her acoustic, altering the mood mid-tune.
– Martin Longley
