Setting the tone with a dimensional and textured jazz meets cinematic soul soundscape, Tokyo City Groove open Visions with intrigue, familiarity and instrumental mastery.
The opus invites us to join the composers on an inspiring and intricate journey with ebbs and flows, exquisite riffs and a high octane energy that feels captivating whilst lending itself to a sense of timelessness.
Speaking on the compositional experience, Tokyo City Groove tell us, “It features Latin rhythms, light percussion and a fast and lively melody line. The wild and freely played drums are unique, and together with the bass line that underlines the salsa montuno, they create a song with a varied storyline.”
The piano solo is transcendental and leads us to a drum roll and anthemic final reprise with an astral synth, which has us yearning for more.
We learn that Tokyo City Groove is a duo consisting of drummer Kenta Kitamura and bassist Kaoru Yamauchi, formed in 2022. As professional studio musicians, they have been touring and recording Japanese pop artists for over 40 years.
The pair simply cite fusion, jazz fusion, and Japanese City Pop as their sonic influences, which we can feel come through with Visions, although there is no doubt that Kenta Kitamura and Kaoru Yamauchi are manifesting a universe of their own.
We have added Visions to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Tokyo City Groove‘s first two singles, Right Hand Small Piano, and In Your Eyes.