Hiromi feat. Sonicwonder, Out There Review

Fusion in Flight: Sonic Conversations from Hiromi’s Out There

By Ferell Aubre

With Out There, Hiromi Uehara and her ensemble Sonicwonder dynamically explore the jazz fusion landscape. Building on their debut, Sonicwonderland, this album showcases the ensemble’s refined interplay and fluid genre blending, delivered with compelling virtuosity and emotional expression.

The album opens with the joyful “XYZ,” a rhythmically driven composition that sets the stage for Sonicwonder’s kinetic energy. The layered dialogue between Hiromi and bassist Hadrien Feraud is especially notable during Hiromi’s solo, with both musicians fluidly exchanging roles in driving the narrative forward.

“Yes! Ramen!!” expands on the band’s genre-melding style with layered rhythms inspired by video games, funk, disco, and fusion. Here, Feraud’s fluid six-string bass solo is a standout, complemented by Hiromi’s textured sonic palette achieved through diverse keyboard sounds in conjunction with the acoustic piano. Gene Coye’s nuanced drumming provides a cohesive foundation, bridging the shifts in feels seamlessly.

The album takes a lyrical turn with “Pendulum,” featuring vocalist Michelle Willis. Her melodic interaction with Hiromi’s piano sets an evocative tone that gradually builds as the ensemble joins, crafting a performance rich in emotional resonance and textural depth. Willis’ clear, expressive vocals paired with Sonicwonder’s meticulous instrumentation make this track a poignant midpoint in the album.

At a swift tempo, “Out There: Takin’ Off” pushes the ensemble’s technical prowess to new heights. The musicians embrace expressive virtuosity, delivering an exhilarating performance filled with vibrant emotional contours that make the track inspirational both musically and emotionally.

In “Out There: Strollin’,” the group pivots towards groove-centric minimalism, exploring the emotional potential of space and silence between sounds. Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet solo particularly excels, creatively navigating through staccato and legato phrases, showcasing his sensitivity to the dramatic power of silence and nuance.

“Out There: Orion” serves as an expansive ballad that highlights Sonicwonder’s remarkable collective dynamics. The musicians shift effortlessly between nuanced moods and melodic colors, demonstrating their exceptional cohesion and mutual sensitivity.

“Out There: The Quest” channels the energy of seventies jazz fusion with a powerful rhythmic foundation reminiscent of the electric-era jazz legends. Hiromi’s intricate layers of keyboards propel the ensemble, drawing from rock, soul, and classic fusion influences to create a thrilling, nostalgia-tinged yet forward-looking experience.

The instrumental version of “Pendulum” underscores Hiromi’s mastery of solo piano performance. Experiencing this composition back-to-back with the ensemble version reveals her unique artistry, especially her adeptness at filling sonic space with rhythmic motifs and thematic variations.

Concluding the album is “Balloon Pop,” a buoyantly energetic track radiating the ensemble’s playful chemistry and fearless sonic experimentation. Feraud’s rhythmic grooves and Coye’s narrative-driven drumming perfectly support Hiromi’s dynamic piano figures and O’Farrill’s inventive trumpet textures, closing the album on an exuberant note.

In terms of production, Out There boasts exceptional clarity and balance, effectively capturing each musician’s distinct voice and the intricate ensemble interplay. The album’s nuanced emotional themes are conveyed with remarkable depth, ensuring a compelling listening experience from start to finish.

With Out There, Hiromi and Sonicwonder deliver a vibrant album celebrating jazz fusion’s rich legacy while ambitiously expanding it with possibilities.