Weekly Album: Week of 01/01 - 01/07 - Flying Beagle

This week I listened to Flying Beagle by Himiko Kikuchi. I thought it was a good jazz fusion album. I'm not crazy about most jazz fusion, but I felt that this album had enough unique qualities to keep me interested. For starters, since Himiko Kikuchi is a pianist/keyboardist, there was a heavier focus on the keys than similar jazz fusion I've listened. It's especially cool when she plays a lead line on a synth, like on the opening track, "Look Your Back!" There was also a lot more horns than I was used to in jazz fusion. From what I've heard most jazz fusion in Japan tends to be a bit more rooted in rock instrumental so there is a heavier focus on guitar, so this was a nice change of pace in comparison to other Japanese jazz fusion albums I've listened to. Good album. 7/10