Polyglot: Talk, Vol. 1

Liner notes by Mike Nock ONZM

Pianist Steve Barry and drummer/tabla player Ko Omura met at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and have since worked together on many projects. Bassist Kosuke Ochiai is the newest member of the trio, with trumpeter Hiroyuki Ishikawa, a young lion on the Tokyo jazz scene, joining the group for three tracks on this debut release as 'Polyglot'.

The playing throughout this recording is superb. It’s particularly wonderful to hear young musicians like these, playing with such high level technical skills plus deep idiomatic and musical understanding. This stunning music reflects the cutting edge of jazz today and points to very bright creative possibilities for anyone with an open mind and heart.

First up is Steve Barry’s NAGOYA, an intelligent modern jazz composition with heart and energy, giving an insight of whatʼs to come. The music grabs us immediately with its big sound along with the groupʼs confidently swinging playing. Next we hear 825, an attractive composition by Ko, with many subtle rhythmic twists, possibly reflecting his long studies of Indian music. Bassist Kosuke kicks off with a solo chorus showing his warm sound and lyricism followed by two sublime choruses from Steve, reminding us what an exceptional jazz pianist he is, before the return of the melody, with Ko featured over the reprise of the initial pattern.

Trumpeter Hiroyuki joins the trio on A.S.P., a freewheeling up tempo piece beginning with Ko’s solo drums before the groupʼs rubato melody statement, which then opens up with great solos and an exciting duet between Ko and Kosuke. The band is on fire on this one! A dramatic ballad, played with restraint, PAUL simultaneously embraces rhythmic freedom with extended harmonies, showing the bandʼs extraordinary musical empathy and flexibility.

NICHOLSTROPHY is bassist Kosukeʼs compositional contribution to the set. Beginning with a brief solo bass statement and with a groove worthy of Thelonious Monk’s original quartet, it features an impish Monk-influenced solo from Steve. PLATO is a lyrical ballad with lush contemporary harmony. After the melodic statement a sensitive bass solo from Kosuke is followed by a typically well constructed and thoughtful solo from composer Steve.

Bassist Kosuke is the first soloist on Ko’s SZ, a happy, medium-up tempo piece. After the bass we hear some sensitively swinging piano followed by Ko’s solo before returning to the original theme. KOMOREBI features

Ko’s exceptional tabla playing, bringing new textures to the music, and listen to the wonderfully evocative duet Steve and Hiroyuki play over the underlying bass and tabla groove.

It's been a real pleasure and privilege to have had the opportunity to listen to this band in such depth at this stage in their development!