Akira Jimbo "Munity" / "JIMBO de JIMBO 80's"
Interview & text： Masayoshi Kondo
A simultaneous release of Jimbo’s original solo album and a compilation of covers of his own works from his time in CASIOPEA!
“The world class drummer Akira Jimbo” has released his own solo album “Munity,” the tenth album to be released from Electric Bird which also marks his tenth year at this record label. The album title “Munity” is a coined word combining the words “music” and “unity,” in hope of uniting as one through music.
“As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized more than ever that music is a great communication method. I think it’s a sign that all people are connected deep down inside. I wanted to express that feeling in my new album.”
Members include the usual crew from Jimbo’s 1st solo album, Abraham Laboriel (bass) and Otmaro Ruiz (piano), as well as Allen Hinds (guitar) who’s been a regular member since Jimbo’s 4th solo album. As guest musician, Jimbo welcomed Richard Elliot (saxophone) highly known for his performances in Yellowjackets and Tower of Power. These four members seem to create a stronger team, and the sense of unity as a band is deeper than any of Jimbo’s prior solo albums.
“I have had the privilege of playing with the same members for the last ten years which made this album possible. Personally I made sure that I remained natural as a drummer and wrote the tracks as simple as possible. I approached Richard Elliot because I’ve been a big fan of Tower of Power and also because I was able to write the perfect funk number.”
What is the splendor of instrumental music? The leading artist of the instrumental scene, Akira Jimbo’s music seems to have both the vitality of music’s crossover era and elegance and grace of smooth jazz.
“It’s great that instrumental music has no border. It makes it possible to go beyond various walls and become one. I put that wish in the title track, which was actually the first track I ever wrote with my wife. Well… my music stands probably somewhere between fusion and smooth jazz.”
The simultaneously released album “JIMBO de JIMBO 80’s” is his 5th cover album of tracks written by the artist himself in the 80’s and released as CASIOPEA, the jazz fusion band Jimbo has been playing with since the 80s.
“It’s been more than 25 years since I wrote these songs, so I was able to play them in quite an objective fashion. It’s been a while since I’ve analyzed them and realized that my artistry hasn’t changed quite as much as I thought. This cover series was recorded in a keyboard trio format, and I feel that I’ve made great progress in arranging and programming in the past decade. For those of you who know the original, I hope you enjoy the differences between the originals and the new arrangements, and for those of you who listen to these tracks for the first time, to see where I started out as a composer.”
