In September of 2019, Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii went on a nine-stop tour in their native Japan with the Spanish-French percussionist Ramon Lopez. The trumpeter, pianist and drummer made the decision each to bring new originals to the tour, and by the end of it, there were plenty to choose from when they also decided to go into a studio and record three from each of them.
Thus, Mantle is an album borne of democratic creativity and a freshly forged affinity. As with all Tamura/Fujii-related albums, it’s impossible to approach this one with any sort of preconceived notions on how it will play out because they are masters of so many styles and approaches and they have the daring to use them all at some point. Even within songs, expectations are built up, only to be shattered.
There’s a simple but muscular, minor four chord vamp that serves as an intro to “Nine Steps To The Ground,” giving way to a delicately flowing figure where the same vamp emerges, and a third section that is dispersed and freer and it, too, ends with a return to that riff.
Lopez’s “Metaphors” is fetching in its fragility, which becomes evident well before Lopez himself enters more than halfway in. But when he does, so does a contention that gives the song its sense of movement. In contrast, Lopez is the dominant force at the start of Tamura’s “From Spring To Summer,” pulling back and modulating to add complexity as Tamura makes his thoughtful expressions. Fujii’s piano grows more aggressive and the trio expands its volume to a tremendous level by the tumultuous end.
“Your Shadow” is a Fujii ballad, affected and vulnerable, attributes accentuate so well by Tamura and Lopez. Lopez approaches his drums with finesse, something that’s fully on display for “Encounter” (also for “Came, Left”) and Tamura cuts loose on clear, high notes that demands attention on this episodic song.
Fujii reveals the handsome melody on “Straw Coat” at a natural flow, but that’s just a prelude to the storm conjured by all three. The trio puts a lot of space inside of “Autumn Sky” and boasts a drama-filled showcase for Fujii, who dazzles with another one during “The Temple Bell,” where the reigns are handed over to Tamura just as it builds up to a release.
It wasn’t long ago when we considered a new Tamura/Fujii duet record and as good as that is, it’s amazing how they are able to embrace just one more musician and build a set of performances that fully represents the talents of all three. Mantle musical democracy at its finest.
Mantle is available now, from Not Two Records.
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