Aki Takase Japanic - Forte (2024)

Aki Takase releases the second album with her commanding band, Japanic. On Forte, the leading figure of European improvisational jazz once again demonstrates her energetic, radiating nature, joined by her distinguished bandmates – Daniel Erdmann, Dag Magnus Narvesen, Carlos Bica and DJ Illvibe –, and two guest artists, Alexander von Schlippenbach and Nils Wogram.

Her music not only sounds strong and powerful, but also conveys strength and power. And this presence, this power, also marks her as a person: she radiates positive energy – and this is needed today perhaps more than ever. For Aki Takase, the word “forte” contains something of a message: "Overcoming harsh reality and moving forward with music during this time – we wanted to give expression to a strong will".

The Japanese-born pianist, who has been living in Berlin for more than three decades, has won the German Record Critics' Prize nine times in her long career, among many other awards. In five years, she has released three albums on BMC Records: Carmen Rhapsody, composed for Daniel Erdmann, Vincent Courtois and Mayumi Nakamura, the duo album Isn't It Romantic with Daniel Erdmann, which won them both the German Jazz Award, and her debut album with Japanic, Thema Prima, hailed by the critics of Jazzwise, Citizenjazz and All About Jazz.

Aki Takase – piano
Daniel Erdmann – tenor and soprano saxophones
Carlos Bica – double bass
Dag Magnus Narvesen – drums, percussion
Vincent von Schlippenbach – turntable
Nils Wogram – trombone
Alexander von Schlippenbach – piano

Tracklist
1. Festa Magdalena (9:12)
2. Step Skip Stop (5:42)
3. An jeder Kreuzung liegt eine Erinnerung begraben (4:04)
4. Ma non Troppo (4:19)
5. I Want to Know Sweet Music (1:31)
6. Japanic Makrokosmos (6:46)
7. Alinamin Drink (5:17)
8. Timeless Story (8:35)
9. Woe the Row of Foes (7:37)
10. I'm Confessin' (that I Love You) (3:14)