ジャズ＝インストゥルメンタルの図式ゆえ、オリジナル楽曲のメロディはきわめて器楽的になりがちなことも。だが、まるで歌詞が乗っても不思議じゃないぐらいの歌メロのようなメロディが時にはあってもいいのでは?と思う方に山中千尋のこの最新作を。自身のレギュラー・トリオでのNY録音の一作だが、全11曲中8曲が自身のオリジナルで、さわやかな午後の陽光を思わせるようなもの、せつないまでの哀愁を帯びたもの、エレクトロなムードに包まれたものなど様々。カヴァーはシュールなアレンジによる名ジャズ・スタンダードや意外なゴダイゴ（!）など山中イズムあふれるチョイスが光る。
[English Translation]
Chihiro Yamanaka "Guilty Pleasure"
Speaking of melodies of jazz, as is the commonly recognized equation [jazz=instrumental], melodies of original works very often tend to be all instrumental-focused. Yet, some of you may expect more vocal-friendly, naturally-go-well-with-lyrics melodies to be created sometimes. Then this, the latest from a prominent jazz artist/piano virtuoso Chihiro Yamanaka, is just right for you. Recorded in NY with familiar members from her own regular trio, the 11-track album carries 8 original tunes of her own out of which some depict a refreshing afternoon sunshine, some hinting almost heartbreaking melancholy, or some being wrapped in an electro-mood. The other cover numbers of her choice include a famous jazz standard with a surreal-arrangement and Japanese rock band Godiego’s tune (nice surprise!), fully and notably representing the Yamanaka-ism herein.
