Name: Pure Heart
Brand: JVC Compact Discs
SKU: 11685
Availability: OutOfStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Hiroko Kokubu (piano, handclaps); Yutaka Yokokura (vocals); Gary Herbig (alto saxophone, flute); Kim Hutchcroft (tenor saxophone); Chuck Findley (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bob Findley (trumpet); Larry Williams (synthesizers); Oscar Castro-Neves (acoustic guitar); Michael Landau (electric guitar); Abe Laboriel (electric bass); Alex Acuna (drums, percussion); Clark Germain, Akira Taguchi (handclaps).
Recorded at Ocean Way Recorders and Sunset Sound, Hollywood, California in February 1992.
Personnel: Hiroko Kokubu (piano); Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar); Abraham Laboriel (bass); Alex Acuna (drums); Gary Herbig.
Digitally remastered by JVC using XRCD (extended resolution compact disc).
One look and listen to the impish jazz powerhouse Hiroko Kokubu, and the Keiko Matsui comparisons will start flowing. After all, she resembles a small Asian doll, yet can hold her own with her hefty studio cohorts courtesy of a monstrous musical vision which favors instantly memorable melodies and improvisational chops galore. But there the similarities end. On the swinging Pure Heart, her strict adherence to the percussive possibilities of the acoustic piano show an upbringing full of a sassy blend of fusion and be-bop, eased into a lush pop framework. And, unlike Matsui, Kokubu shuns any real Eastern influence for exotic Concorde jettings down to seductive South America, where friends like labelmate Oscar Castro-Neves help her explore the funkier side of Brazilian breeze. While often entertaining an electric rock beat, her most glorious excursions are into pure Latin territory with the help of a frenetic horn section and the percussion swells of Alex Acuna. She's all over the map both musically and geographically (there's even a tasty electrotake on "Mrs. Robinson"), with only one misguided sidetrip into lame vocal territory with Yutaka. While never overshadowed, she receives marvelous support from Michael Landau's fiery strings and Gary Herbig, who alternates between saxes and flute depending on the mood. ~ Jonathan Widran

Album: Pure Heart
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Barefoot Steppin'
2)	Luck in the Rain
3)	Smooth Struttin'
4)	Vitamina
5)	Once and Forever
6)	Carry Me With the Wind
7)	Mrs. Robinson
8)	Annabella
9)	Weekend
10)	It's Cool
11)	Happiest You (For Your Wedding)

Album: Pure Heart
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Barefoot Steppin'
2)	Luck in the Rain
3)	Smooth Struttin'
4)	Vitamina
5)	Once and Forever
6)	Carry Me With the Wind
7)	Mrs. Robinson
8)	Annabella
9)	Weekend
10)	It's Cool
11)	Happiest You (For Your Wedding)