Atsuko Hashimoto – Until the Sun Comes Up – Capri Records 74107-2, 64:26, ***½:
(Atsuko Hashimoto, Hammond B-3 organ; Graham Dechter, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums)
I will always remember my first “meeting” with Atsuko Hashimoto. It was at the Monterey Jazz Festival on a Saturday night at an indoor grounds venue, when she was introduced to a packed house by Jeff Hamilton, who had discovered her talents while touring Japan with Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown. (They were playing in Osaka and Jeff happened to wander into a small club and witnessed Atsuko’s prodigious talent on the Hammond B-3.)
That night in Monterey was memorable as Houston Person was also on stage with Jeff and Atsuko and the set they presented to an adoring audience was among the major highlights of that years Monterey Jazz Festival. Atsuko was shy and demure but once she tore off a few bluesy runs the crowd was hers and the joy and smiles from Hamilton and Person confirmed they were having a blast.
Until the Sun Comes Up is the third recording that Hamilton has done with Hashimoto. For this recording they have included guitarist, Graham Dechter, who joined the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra while only a teenager. Atsuko arranged all but two of the eleven tracks on this CD, with Dechter handling those two. They are all mostly standards except for “Blues for Naka”, which is dedicated to the memory of Kazuma Naka.
While this is Atsuko’s CD, I was especially impressed with Graham Dechter, as immediately on the opening track, “All or Nothing At All”, you can recognize his talents. His playing is striking for someone his age, as his guitar lines are supple, his runs lightning fast with a clarity and swing that is immediately apparent. Hamilton, as always, is fully in control, either driving the beat or providing fills behind his mates. He is equally at home in a straight piano trio, in a funky Hammond group, or driving the CHJO.
I found Atsuko more laid back here than usual, content to be in a supporting role. Her strongest statements are found not on the Songbook type standards but on the more funky soulful tracks like “Soul Station”, “Blues for Naka”, “What a Wonderful World’, “Cherry”, and “Hallelujah, I Love Her So.”
The absence of an accompanying horn also seemed to diminish the energy that inspires Atsuko. Hopefully, for her next recording they will include either a Hammond worthy sax player, or some more inspired material. Easily done, and then we’ll have the Atsuko Hashimoto back who tore down the house in Monterey.
TrackList: All or Nothing at All, Soul Station, So In Love, Moon River, What a Wonderful World, Blues for Naka, You are My Sunshine, Cherry, Your’s is My Heart Alone, The Good Life, Hallelujah, I Love Her So
— Jeff Krow
