PATRICK SHIROISHI AND DYLAN FUJIOKA “Neba Neba” C60 (Orb Tapes)

Jazz nerds Patrick Shiroishi and Dylan Fujioka sure have been hanging out together for a long time, ever since they met at band camp (the activity, not the juggernaut music marketplace) in junior high or whatever. Maybe not that long ago. At least as long ago as that 2013 Chelsea Wolfe record. Chelsea Wolfe, people! That’s not jazz.

 

This is jazz. And it’s on Orb Tapes, which means that, since Orb knows its shit, the jazz iz good jazz. Both Shiroishi and Fujioka have popped up on Astral Spirits before, so they know what kind of company to keep. (To clarify: that’s good company.) Both players are in fine form here, Shiroishi on sax, Fujioka on the kit, and both have incredible chemistry as they cook up two long-form improvisations (and one short one). Shiroishi’s playing is positively Coltrane-esque, and Fujioka splits time between modern exploratory patterns and straight-up Art Blakey worship. Look, when I start saying “Coltrane” and “Blakey,” you know you’ve got something cooking here (or that I’m full of crap).

 

Since I’m not full of crap, you can be sure that an utter wonderland awaits your exploration – a Neba Neba land, maybe? OK, that may have gone too far, but adventure surely will follow every time you pop in this tape. Adventure has followed me to this review, which … is it exciting? Doesn’t matter, listen yonder, order below.

 

https://orbtapes.bandcamp.com/

 

--Ryan

 

PATRICK SHIROISHI “烏の涙” C20 (American Damage)

“烏の涙” translates to “Tears of the Eyebrows” according to Google Translate, but I’m sure we’re losing some nuance there. Not so with side A’s “子供の寂しさが聞こえるか?,” which runs through the algorithm at a healthy “Can You Hear the Loneliness of Your Child?” This is especially poignant nowadays with detained families at the U.S./Mexican who are separated from their children, and indeed the j-card of Shiroishi’s new tape on American Damage is emblazoned with “Let the migrant children go home to their families.” I couldn’t agree more. Rapidly fingerpicked acoustic guitar and spoken entreaties are balanced by restrained notes and whispers. Shiroishi is vigilant and ready to offer advice and assistance.

Like the A-side, side B’s “夢が消えちゃっても一人じゃない” translates pretty cleanly to “Even If Your Dream Has Disappeared, You Are Not Alone,” another ten-minute fingerpicked-guitar-and-vocal runthrough. Talk about a cutting-room-floor GY!BE title, though! It too connects with additional j-card text, here “Beyond Stone, Beyond Timeliness, Beats a Steady, Universal Heart.” Riding at times a more Morricone-esque vibe, Shiroishi ends the track delivering a heart-wrenching vocal, perhaps a message of hope to anyone the track is intended for. As such, it closes the powerful “烏の涙” on a glowing note.

https://patrickshiroishi.bandcamp.com/

https://americandamage.bandcamp.com/music

--Ryan