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Reviews

Natsuki Tamura — Iyaho
(Bandcamp no#, 2022, DL)

Natsuki Tamura — 5 Trumpets
(Bandcamp no#, 2022, DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2022-12-20

Iyaho Cover art5 Trumpets Cover art

In a departure from Natsuki Tamura’s previous solo albums, Iyaho showcases the trumpeter not strictly solo, but in collaboration with himself, overdubbing multiple instruments. His trumpet, when present, engages in his typical wide range of sounds, from lyrical and melodic to all manner of strange noises. But the first thing you hear on the first track is percussion, followed by chanting vocals like a meditative mantra. It’s only after a minute and a half or so that the trumpet comes in. These three elements play off each other, and the voice gradually gets into a strange growling tone, a vocal analog to his avant-garde trumpet sounds. The second track, “August Work,” is all percussion, with cymbals and hand drums plus some odd, unidentifiable metallic noises. Then there’s “Mesahoji,” another piece with percussion, voice, and trumpet. “August Tp” is a solo trumpet spotlight. The album finishes with “Karakara,” another trumpet, voice, and percussion piece. It’s hard to say what degree of composition went into these pieces, or what the word “composition” even means in this context, but it certainly represents a new wrinkle in the oeuvre of this inventive musician.

5 Trumpets features exactly what the title implies: five trumpet players. In this instance, Tamura is the composer, and doesn’t actually play on the piece. Rabito Arimoto, Nobuki Yamamoto, Ari Morimoto, and Masafumi Ezaki tackle Tamura’s score, a single 40-minute piece which also exists as two parts (called “Various One” and “Various Two”) for LP format. I’m unclear if the full piece is meant to be titled “Various” or “Five Trumpets.” In any case, Tamura says, “The piece is a combination of normal notation and instructions on what kind of extended technique should be used.” And the players launch into this unusual music with gusto. There’s no use trying to determine who plays what, but it’s fascinating to hear. At times, there are coordinated rhythmic figures, but other sections stretch long into non-standard sounds. Fans of Tamura’s previous work, as well as those who like to experience the far reaches of creativity, can find much of interest in these two releases — others, however, may be baffled by the unconventional sounds presented.

Filed under: New releases, 2022 releases

Related artist(s): Natsuki Tamura

More info
http://natsukitamura.bandcamp.com

 

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