Looking Back: Haruka Nakamura – Twilight

Haruka Nakamura’s ‘Twilight,’ is an album full of grace. Intended to reflect the cooling light of dusk, the record contains a collection of pieces largely built for piano which stir a soothing and relaxed mood…

With undertones of jazz throughout, thanks to the intermittent waves of horn play from collaborators such as Araki Shin and Akira Uchida as well as a twinkling of percussion, ‘Twilight’ offers a welcome alternative to some other piano focused music which largely fall into the ever expanding categorisation of modern classical compositions.

Nakamura’s record is delicate, yet simple in its construction. We hear of gentle, colourful phrases through his piano which seamlessly capture the feel of a closing winter’s day. From the first few tracks on the album, images of bleeding sunsets, wafer thin clouds and foggy breath are stirred through a meshing of piano, flute and strings. On ‘Harmonie du Soir,’ horns and piano work with a sporadic march of drums. Here one can sense a day concluding as people silently traverse a city to return to their homes.

While these opening tracks do lend themselves to broader jazz roots thanks to the horns and Isao Saito’s sparkles of cymbals, listeners are also treated to some beautiful music that forms from strings and vocals. We hear a duet between violin and piano and listeners witness a heightened sensitivity from Nakamura.  These honest and welcoming compositions are ones that continue the homely construction found earlier in the album but illustrate a variety to Nakamura’s musical palette. Similarly on ‘Twilight’ one of two vocal tracks, April Lee sings over an acoustic guitar while blended recordings of children playing expand the sound, giving it a grander sense of the real world.

Having previously collaborated with fellow Japanese pianist, Akira Kosemura, ‘Twilight’ arrives as Nakamura’s second solo album. As with Kosemura and other native musicians such as Motohiro Nakashima, Nakamura’s Twilight represents another compelling addition to the burgeoning independent music scene in Japan. Available through the Kitchen label, ’Twilight’ will extend the warmth of a setting sun; easing listeners through even the darkest of nights.

- Review by Josh Atkin for Fluid Radio

www.kitchen-label.com
www.myspace.com/harukanakamura