Kikuchi, Masabumi - Hanamichi - The Final Studio Records

Six revelatory tracks by the late Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi are featured on Hanamichi, the debut release by Red Hook Records. Recorded over a two-day New York session on a magnificent Klavierhaus rebuilt Steinway, the music marks a divergence from the mostly free improvising Poo (Kikuchis nickname), who died at age 75 in 2015, practiced during his final years. Kikuchis radiant playing sparkles with melodic exploration and expression in renditions of lesser-known tunes and popular standards.