Mase Hiroko Quintet: First Contact
“Hard bop jazz aimed towards the universe” might be a good way to introduce soprano saxophonist Hiroko Mase’s debut album First Contact from 2020. Together with her double-sax quintet, the album features ten of her original songs in a vibrant arrangement of energetic hard-swinging and mid-tempo songs brimming with atmospheric layers.
The opening song “First Contact” together with #4 “Spinning Petals” (a live version is included in a video below) and #9 “Have Fun"!” prop up the album’s core jazz tentpoles with straight-ahead frameworks reminiscent of the sound of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and Cannonball Adderley’s bands: energetic rhythm sections that frame unleashed improvisation from double horn front-lines.
Even more sides of Mase’s thought-through compositional ideas are evident on tracks like “Resurrection”, “Dimensional Door”, and the two-part “A Blue Green Planet I & II”. These pieces are modern and forward-looking, setting moods of otherworldliness and transcendence with uniquely mysterious and exploratory elements. On these, there is a sense of a cinematic spirit as with soulful Japanese westerns, especially in the catchy anthem “Resurrection” which was written during a period of illness for the composer.
Mase’s compositional style and focused vision may invoke the legendary Wayne Shorter, who was fascinated by pop art and comic books, space, and the unknown. Also similar is the fact that Shorter, in addition to being an early member of the aforementioned Jazz Messengers, was a tenor sax player also known for distinctive soprano sax playing and his renowned compositional genius… whether or not Shorter is an explicit influence on Mase, it’s still interesting to find similarities.
Concept albums in jazz are relatively rare, and while this album may not be considered a proper concept album with a storyline running through it (though her in-progress “Multiverse Suite” evolves the concept much more), there is definitely a strong theme and vision established here, from the colorful album design through to the fantastic music and elaborative song and liner notes. It’s clear that Hiroko Mase’s vision is also focused well beyond this first contact, expanding into her future through explorations with larger ensembles and various influences like Brazilian music, science fiction movies, and of course, the love for jazz that brings it all together.
Liner Notes
(Translated version of Hiroko Mase’s liner notes, originally in Japanese.)
When I was in music college, I heard Lester Young’s records. That was the first time I heard the music called jazz, and I can still remember what a monumental impact it had on me. What a world! After graduating, I spent every day working insanely hard to become a tenor sax player. But sadly, my chronic scoliosis got so bad that I was forced to quit performing. I stepped away from my beloved music and focused on recuperation for about 4 to 5 years. To me, jazz was such great music that when I heard it, it was hard to suppress the urge to play, so I forced myself not to listen to any music at all during that period.
At that time, there was a senior colleague who always encouraged me: Shoko Yamagishi, the leader of the band I played in before my hiatus. She planned a live performance featuring my original songs. Another senior colleague whom I had met for the first time substituted for me, Eiji Otogawa.
From my seat in the audience, I completely enjoyed the Shoko Yamagishi Quintet, and my appreciation for the musicians and the audience was unending.
Year by year my health improved, and a year after my recovery I was married to Eiji Otogawa. All things considered, I am indebted to Shoko Yamagishi. Thank you so much, Shoko!
For my restart in music, I chose the curved soprano saxophone which is less of a physical burden.
Starting from scratch, my first performance was busking in winter at Sukiyabayashi Crossing [in Ginza]. I chased down a thousand yen bill that had been blown by the wind into the middle of the intersection. I finally grabbed it, just barely, and upon looking back proudly I saw that the bassist’s nose had frozen.
Then, about four years later, I started thinking about starting my band with my original music. The Mase Hiroko Quintet was formed in July 2018. As for the members: Tenor sax Eiji Otogawa, whom I respect and trust. Genius pianist Nobumasa Tanaka, whom I have unending respect for every time we play together. On bass, Kosuke Ochiai with his unique and solid sound. On drums, Sota Kira with a beautiful timbre and magnificently addictive drumming.
It was our first time playing together, but from the moment we played the first melody… amazing!! How cool is this!? I was really excited. After the first song finished, we all had a feeling of being together as one. At that moment I decided to make a recording with this band. After that, we held live performances in and around Tokyo, and a year and a half later in the Spring of 2020 we reached the point of recording our first album, my dearest wish.
To everyone who has supported me up to now, I send my heartfelt love and gratitude: To my family, friends, musicians, club managers, customers, Tohru Fujimori (label), and Taishi Taruoka (engineer). And, to my husband Eiji Otogawa who supported me and produced, mixed, designed the CD jacket, and conducted the entire album process, thank you so much. Above all I am filled with love, gratitude, and respect for the wonderful musicians who I performed and spent time with. Thank you!! Please enjoy listening to this album!!
Hiroko Mase
First Contact
A song written when this quintet was formed. This song started everything, as the meeting of the members inspired and stimulated me with this piece. Here, I started to blossom as a composer. The three soloists’ enthusiastic passion is an essential characteristic of this band. The rhythm section swings with a lively beat. The day of First Contact for the Earth and the universe may be coming soon.
Eywa of Pandora
A piece inspired by the forest spirit “Eywa” from the movie Avatar. Spirits of light dance in a deeply beautiful and vivid forest world, and this song makes you feel the strength of life in that refreshing sensation.
Resurrection
This song with an orchestra accompaniment suddenly came to me while I was battling illness. At first, I thought it may be a requiem, but I thought maybe it was a sign from heaven, a sign of resurrection. The introduction starts with Kosuke Ochiai’s bass solo. Every note is engraved with moments that are uniquely and organically him.
Spinning Petals
A nimble rhythm and melody filled with a feeling of speed. The motif is of a scene of petals and leaves, spinning as they fall down, and the three soloists develop the scene of a changing landscape dramatically.
Long Road
Is life short, or is life long? No, time doesn’t really exist. As each person looks back on their life, each has their own story. Good things or bad things, life is like a journey of adventures called experiences.
A Blue Green Planet I
The world as seen from space. Problems like war, poverty, and racial discrimination persist. But the earth itself is beautiful as always. I wrote this song after watching the movie La Belle Verte and having my consciousness disconnected. Pianist Nobumasa Tanaka’s harmony is very beautiful.
A Blue Green World II
Get Smashed
Expressing through sound the condition of being in a drunken stupor. When viewed from the outside, being dead drunk cuts a humorous figure. To someone who declares “No more drinking!” and then quickly ends up defiantly drinking that night, I send this song to you wholeheartedly.
Have Fun!
The piano introductory phrases at the beginning are striking. The soprano sax solo starts with free expression to a full-throttle engine. The exhilaration of running feels so good. Eiji Otogawa’s soulful solo. He leads the band with his uniquely intense sound. Awakening the listener’s spirit, from a breathlessly suspenseful solo he passes the baton to the piano. A piano solo full of speed. The trio comes together as one, transforming freely, and powerful beats collide as the energy reaches its peak. And Sota Kira’s all-out drum solo. Combining power and beautiful tones, making use of all kinds of beats. The deep musicality, technique, and creative drumming thrills the band.
Dimensional Door
Opening the Dimensional Door and returning to your true self, there is a paradise of peaceful love. Bassist Ochiai leads the band with a spiritual and wonderful sound.
Looking to the Future
I have several years’ worth of musical projects inside me. This album is the first. This wonderful experience has ignited my desire to compose and awakened a variety of ideas. New sounds fusing vocals and instruments, situations imagining the universe, born naturally and progressing simultaneously. I plan to announce these three projects over the next several years. Please look forward to it.
Three Major Projects
“Mase Hiroko Quintet”
The nucleus of this project is the two-horn quintet form with great technique and thrilling interplay, a fascinating quintet.
“Mase Hiroko All Stars”
The quintet expands as additional musicians join with percussion, keyboard, electric bass, and the colorful acoustic/electric Brazilian sound of vocalist Nobie. The lyrics were co-written with Eiji Otogawa with a strong message and originality, exciting music for a unique band.
“Multiverse Suite”
A project overflowing with entertainment depicting a grand space adventure that transcends genres. The suite is made up of Episodes 1-7 which are currently in progress. A sense of cosmic sound can be felt through various visions from science fiction movies. The number of members is increased even further to become a large ensemble.
Lastly
My journey of exploring music has just begun. Building these projects together with these wonderful musicians is a beautiful, fun thing. I never thought that I could do something so difficult. But I’m gradually starting to understand that even the impossible becomes possible if you don’t give up. I want to continue to explore more interesting and exciting things. It makes me really happy if this can bring a smile to people’s faces. For everyone who picks up this CD and listens to it in some part of your everyday life, with our music close to you, I hope you have a wonderful time. With love.
September 2020
First Contact by Mase Hiroko Quintet
Hiroko Mase - soprano saxophone
Eiji Otogawa - tenor saxophone
Nobumasa Tanaka - piano
Kosuke Ochiai - bass, percussion
Sota Kira - drums, percussion
Released in 2020 on F.S.L. as FSCJ-0019.
Japanese names: Hiroko Mase ませひろこ (Mase Hiroko) Eiji Otogawa 音川英二 (Otogawa Eiji) Nobumasa Tanaka 田中信正 (Tanaka Nobumasa) Kosuke Ochiai 落合康介 (Ochiai Kosuke) Sota Kira 吉良創太 (Kira Sota)
Audio and Video
Excerpt from “First Contact”, track #1 on this album: