Junko Onishi - Fragile (1998)

With this project, the Japanese pianist Junko Onishi, who has worked with alto sax great Jackie McLean, breaks from her straight-ahead style with an impassioned excursion into retro-jazz fusion. Buoyed by electric-acoustic bassist Reginald Veal and drummers Karriem "Ol Skool Jamz" Riggins and Tamaya Honda, Onishi's electric evocations and improvisations are reminiscent of Chick Corea's Return to Forever days on the frenetic and funky "BWV" and the fuzz-toned, guitar-synthed psychedelic take on the Cream hit "Sunshine of Your Love." The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' moves with a moody, medium-tempo bass ostinato. Les McCann's classic soul-jazz anthem, "Compared to What," is capped by Onishi's Jimmy Smith-like organ and the sanctified vocals of a singer known only as "Peace." Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" is given an equally down-home reading in an acoustic trio setting, while "Eulogia Variations" evokes the circular, improvisational seances held by Bill Evans. The D-minor, two-drum percussion discussion of "Complexions" rounds out this satisfying recording from this evolving and open-minded musician.