Donovan Johnson-Enlightened Piano Radio
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Masako; (Self Titled)
Masako's self titled album, released this year, is one that took a number of listenings to fully appreciate. Not that the album is dull in any way, on the contrary! Masako has so much going on "behind the scenes" that it's virtually impossible to hear it all in one sitting, and it takes some studied listening to fully embrace it all. Many of the tracks are composed in what I call a "groove style," meaning that the composer lays out a structure that repeats itself over and over (the groove), and builds on that structure over the course of the piece. Done well this can be extremely effective, and Masako does it well.
In addition to this, the pieces that are more compositionally complex are absolutely a delight. Masako finds that perfect balance between the simple and the complicated, and the listener is able to sit right in the "pocket" of the music, drift away, and take a journey with her. In fact, all of the pieces on the album do this in their own way. Think of the more structured pieces as guided meditations, while the more dominant "groove style" tracks are trance inducing.
Also, listen for the very distinct Japanese influences that Masako interweaves throughout the work. They blend extremely well with her contemporary style, creating a fusion that is truly unique. The flow, recording and production of the album shine in the spirit and mastery of Will Ackerman, who had the pleasure of working on this album with Masako. Together, they were able to create a piece of art that would make a formidable debut album, truly a force to contend with.
Among my favorites on the album are the opening track "Glastenbury VT," "Secret Path To Point Reyes I," and "Ottauquechee River." These three tracks are, in my mind, absolutely brilliant. Masako's ability to create an interesting flow of variation on a groove is truly outstanding. "Amazing Newt" might be one of the most interesting in chord structure and development, and is a lovely blend of Eastern and Western sounds. "Moon and Stream" and "Greening" paint pictures of nature in all of it's glory, and create a strong sense of connection with our natural world. The final track, "Forgotten Moments," takes the album out, almost asking a question of the listener. This will leave you with a sense of intrigue and wonder, wanting to start the album over again from track one. In this way the recording is very hypnotic and engaging, prompting you to listen over and over again.
This an album that I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of the Contemporary/New Age piano genre, especially if you enjoy listening to music that will combine enough simplicity, composition, and ethnic fusion to intrigue the mind long after you're done listening.
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Serge Kozlovsky
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Writings by Serge Kozlovsky / http://sergekozlovsky.com
What is music? This is the path
to reconnect the lonely beings
“Masako” is the debut album of the talented Japanese pianist with the same name. It was recorded at Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont and produced by William Ackerman who is the famous founder of legendary Windham Hill Records. The very melodious compositions of Masako were accompanied by a group of truly remarkable artists.
The music of Masako is filled with divine harmonics and a lot of subtle nuances. It streams straight from the artist’s hearts without falsehood and unnecessary embellishment. These are just the pure emotions which the performer lets flow easily. And they convey the yearnings and emotional experiences of the artist’s essence. Therefore, this music is very intimate.
Masako brightly continues the musical tradition of the great Windham Hill artists such as William Ackerman, George Winston, Michael Hedges, Liz Story, Shadowfax, to name a few. But the pianist has her own distinct style which makes the heart stopping sounds of piano, fall like the warm summer rain on the tired head. And it is not necessary to think, just listen to this healing music to empathize with it.
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Kathy Parsons
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From MainlyPiano
"Masako" is the beautiful debut album by pianist/composer Masako. Produced by Will Ackerman, the collection of twelve original compositions is a combination of piano solos and piano with other instruments played by artists affiliated with Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studio in Vermont. Raised in Tokyo, Japan, Masako was already composing and singing her own tunes by the age of five. She began piano lessons at the age of four, studying with Yuko Yamaoka, a brilliant performer in her own right, and a judge for the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. Masako started performing professionally at the age of eighteen, working in a wide variety of musical genres. Her fluid, graceful touch and ability to become one with her instrument set her apart from many pianists, and her original compositions offer a truly unique musical voice that is strong and assured, yet gentle and soothing. Now residing in Vermont, Masako’s music is often inspired by the wonders of nature as well as by life itself.
"Masako" begins with “Glastenbury, VT” a piano solo inspired by a ghost town in her home state. A moody yet magical piece, Masako dazzles with complex chord progressions at an even tempo on her left hand while her right hand dances around the piano keyboard in a more improvisational style. What focus and concentration she must have to make this sound so effortless! “Spring Snow” evokes lovely images of snow flakes falling lazily on a bright green meadow. Mostly a piano solo, Eugene Friesen adds cello magic to the last minute of the piece. In college, I spent as much time as I could at Point Reyes in CA, and “Secret Path to Point Reyes, Part 1” brings back many memories of that beautiful and rugged area. Premik’s wind synthesizer is a lovely and haunting addition to the piano. “Part 2” is another breathtaking demonstration of how independent Masako’s hands are. Both hands are playing different intricate rhythms, yet her performance is flawless. Ackerman says in a video that Masako did many of these recordings in one take - extraordinary! I assume “Amazing Newt” is about an amphibian rather than a politician, and what a graceful, elegant piece it is! “Remembrance, Part 1” is reflective, emotional, and totally honest. Friesen again adds cello shadings, but this is mostly solo piano. “Part 1” segues into “Part 2” without a pause, bringing in light percussion and Charlie Bisharat on violin (always a treat!). “Moon and Stream” mesmerizes in much the same way watching water at night does. Deep bass notes contrast with sparkling treble notes like moonlight dancing on dark water. Gorgeous! “Forgotten Moments,” a slow, nostalgic duet with Jill Haley, is a poignant, bittersweet ending to a fantastic album. Brava, Masako!
Very highly recommended!
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Solo Piano Fan
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True Gems!!
Most beautiful melodies with depth and feelings I've heard in years. Who'd have thought that "new age" music can be so full of soul and yet elegant? This is what music is all about.
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Shona
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Unforgettable
Love this artist!
I love this artist! She expresses herself through her music and her experiences. Her beautiful piano performance gives you joy, peace, love, inspiration, courage, etc... Everyone needs a moment to escape and rerlax in this busy world, once in a while. Then, just listening to her music. It will take you to a wonderland and you will be revitalized! You will be glad to purchase this CD, GREAT MUSIC!!
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Michael Diamond
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Review excerpt from Music and Media Focus
It’s a long way from being a 5 year old sitting in a tree composing and singing songs in her parent’s backyard in Tokyo to living in the mountains of Vermont and releasing a critically acclaimed CD with credits that include a host of A-list musicians under the supervision of one of the top producers in the world – Grammy winning Windham Hill Records founder Will Ackerman. The opening track on this album, which incidentally is also the first track on The Gathering, a recently released CD compilation of artists produced by Will Ackerman, is entitled “Glastenbury, VT.” This elegant piano solo takes its name and inspiration from a mysterious ghost town in the Green Mountains of Vermont, not far from where Masako currently resides. I was impressed with the way her left hand traced drifting clouds of chords, as her right hand rained down a delicate shower of notes. In fact, Ackerman himself commented: “Her timing is breathtaking and the dance between her left and right hands is unlike anything I've ever encountered.”
Continuing geographically with the Vermont theme is a track called Ottauquechee River that picks up accompanists as it flows on its way. This piece has the most ensemble interplay thus far and features more top-notch session musicians. Masko’s animated piano playing on this track, for me, conjured an image of white water foam dancing and splashing in the sunlight as it races downstream. In total contrast is another ensemble piece entitled The Lonely Otter, that while it provides continuity with the river motif, couldn’t be more different in its emotional affect. As the title implies, there is a wistful and elegiac ambiance to the piece that is accentuated by the plaintive strains of cello and bass. The contributions of the session musicians on this album, as on many of the Ackerman produced recordings I’ve heard, are often subtle yet impeccably tasteful and deftly integrated into the composition.
Given the wealth of accolades that Masako has received from the maestro Ackerman, there is little more than I can say than to agree wholeheartedly with his observations and sentiments. Masako is a gem reflecting diverse facets that sparkle with musical light.
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Junko Nagae
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Music for your heart...
Those who have experienced sorrow know how to be gentle.
A gentle person will overcome sorrow eventually to find happiness.
This music gently envelops your heart and flows with you.
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