The Whole Music Experience

Gato Libre Forever Libra Records The Japanese jazz quartet Gato Libre weds clear trumpet tones with global arty sounds on Forever.   On the opener, Moor , Natsuki Tamura’s horn recalls Fellini’s La Strada (the circus horn scenes), while Satoko Fujii’s accordion travels from distorted art jazz to lyrical Italian.   Kazuhiko Tsumura’s guitar and the late Norikatsu Koreyasu’s bass waver on the fringes, tentatively, sliding in words between the trumpet and accordion’s conversation.   The descriptor of global jazz certainly hits the mark, showing off the talents of these well-traveled players.   However, this is not a CD I would pull out when I feel tense.   The music here works best when the listener is already in a relaxed state of mind. Court opens with shy accordion chords playing hide and seek.   Then the guitar and trumpet sneak in creating a situation of tense anticipation.   The musicians tease us with minimalistic playing in...