08/21/09

The veteran Japanese-American jazz fusion band revisits the best material from their first 10 years with this new album, celebrating being together for three decades.

Founders and former married couple Dan and June Kuramoto may be the core of the band -- filled out by Hawaii-born Kimo Cornwell, Dean Cortez, Danny Yamamoto and Shoji Kameda -- but it's the sound of June's virtuoso koto playing that has been, and continues to be, the soul of Hiroshima's multifaceted music.

The mix of East and West is never more evident than with the opening track, the sweeping and dramatic "Winds of Change," mixing the aural colors of the koto and Dan's shakuhachi into the cinematic composition. The same can be said for an extended version of "Another Place," veering from atmospheric, near ambient sound to grounded and confident soloing from Dan on flute and Cornwell on the Fender Rhodes electric piano.

Two of Hiroshima's older hits, "One Wish" and "Hawaiian Electric," also get a fresh remake, the former combining funk with a shimmering synth wash and June's piquant koto work, and the latter made into a good-natured romp (with a little bit of ipu thrown in the intro) that later muscles up with a Cuban flourish.

And the Hawaii connection is strengthened with the inclusion of former member Derek Nakamoto's co-writing credits with June Kuramoto on "I've Been Here Before" and "Thousand Cranes," as well as his synthesized string programming on "Winds of Change," "Roomful of Mirrors" and "Dada;" the latter two also featuring confident vocals from 2007 "Hawaii Stars" winner Yvette Nii.

The quality of Hiroshima's music is only matched by its longevity. Here's to the band's 31st anniversary

 — Gary C.W. Chun / Star-Bulletin