(Modern Creative, Tzadik) A Qui Avec Gabriel - Utsuho - 2001, MP3, 320 kbps

A Qui Avec Gabriel is a young accordion player steeped in French Romanticism and moody exotica. With the innocence and charm of Erik Satie, her debut recording Utsuho depicts the soul's journey from night until dawn, through day to dusk, visiting along the way dark storms, shining drops of light, cats, mysterious winds and galactic voices. Accompanied at times by violin, clarinet, piano and the eerie guitar and voice of Haino Keiji, Utsuho is a uniquely personal CD of lyrical beauty.

Sometimes, a fan of avant-garde music can get struck by the simplest thing, simply because "simple" and "tonal" are not part of his/her surroundings anymore. That situation is what awaits followers of John Zorn's label "Tzadik" upon encountering A Qui Avec Gabriel's CD, Utsuho. The young Japanese accordionist recorded one of the prettiest, most unpretentious, and seductive albums to have find its place in the label's catalog. Yet, some listeners may feel it lacks experimentation, some risk factor -- can't "charming" be enough once in a while? A Qui Avec Gabriel ("To Whom With Gabriel," in case you were wondering if it made any more sense in English) writes simple melodies backed by half melancholic, half joyful accompaniment. She approaches her instrument with traditional means, leaving extended techniques and electronic enhancements to others. The whole thing brings to mind Debussy or Satie with a hint of musette and stands light years away from Kimmo Pohjonen's dark moody pieces. She is backed by a group on two tracks -- "Shikku" is the funkiest piece of the set. On others she duets with a guest: pianist Kawamura Meiko on the out-of-time "Haru to Shura," and Keiji Haino, whose shroud of electric guitar graces "Takehaya-Sayat," the most avant-gardist tune on this CD. A Qui Avec Gabriel is not a great accordion player or composer, and Utsuho will not make history. But listen to it anyway. It soothes the soul. ~ Francois Couture, All Music Guide

A Qui Avec Gabriel: Accordion, Voice
Haino Keiji: Guitar, Voice
Fujita Akio: Clarinet
Natsuaki Fumihisa: Drums, Xylophone
Ota Keisuke: Violin, Toys, Voice
Kawamura Meiko: Piano
Tanabe Retsuzan: Shakuhachi
Ochi Yasuhiko: Bass