Ryo Fukui – Ryo Fukui in New York LP

Description

2024 repress; LP version. 180 gram vinyl; Half speed mastered; Heavy sleeve and obi. We Release Jazz announce the official reissue of Ryo Fukui‘s New York sessions withLisle AtkinsonandLeroy Williams, the aptly titled albumRyo Fukui in New York, sourced from the original masters. Recorded in February 1999 at Avatar Recording Studios in New York and inspired by Ryo Fukui’s idol and mentorBarry Harris, the fourth album from the famed Sapporo pianist captures memorable sessions with seasoned American jazz musicians (and frequent Barry Harris collaborators) Lisle Arthur Atkinson on bass and Leroy Williams on drums.Ryo Fukui in New Yorkis pure bop heaven, glowing with poetic takes on classics byCharlie Parker,George Gershwin,Duke Ellington,Jerome Kern,Cole Porter, andBud Powell, plus a supreme remake of Fukui’s very ownMellow Dream(WRJ 002CD/LP). It’s expressive, soulful, and vibrating with a bouncing swing feel all the way through; every note falls exactly where it should, undeniable brilliance. Much like the other albums by the genius from Hokkaido, it’s got that “special something”, hard to grasp, hard to describe, but 100% felt. Skills and heart, the Ryo Fukui way. Following his New York adventures, Ryo Fukui headed back to Sapporo, and more precisely to his jazz club Slowboat, where his newly acquired experience inspired numerous jam sessions and a full dedication to perfecting his craft. He sadly passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of works that is sure to captivate jazz lovers for generations to come, and Slowboat, where the magic still hap-pens to this day. Reissued in conjunction with 2016’sA Letter from Slowboat(WRJ 008CD/LTD-LP), also available via We Release Jazz.