For those unaware, Jojo Records have just released the stunning new album Being Guided By The Light, the fifth album by pianist Mamiko Watanabe, and which is also his Jojo Records debut.

The representation of a musician in full flower, Watanabe plays the piano with grace and intensity, revealing her endless state of exploration. This trio date features Watanabe alongside heralded bassist Santi Debriano and legendary drummer Billy Hart.

Mamiko is joined by two revered masters of jazz with Billy Hart on drums and Santi Debriano on bass and is filled with praise for this collaboration “I was so grateful for this recording opportunity with Billy. His sound touched my soul. The way Santi Debriano makes the groove on my compositions are always exactly the way I want. I’ve been learning from Santi the limitless creativity through rhythm, phrasing and communicating as a group.”

NEA Jazz Master Hart, who has played alongside virtually every jazz great including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders and more over his seven-decade career, says of Mamiko: “She is one of the very best I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with.”

1. Being Guided by the Light (6:28)
2. Pas De Trois (6:27)
3. The Peacocks (7:17)
4. The Scene is Clean (4:39)
5. Atomic Space (8:14)
6. Nigeria (7:11)
7. My Grandfather’s Clock (5:30)
8. Island Birdie (4:45)

This empirically cultured new recording opens on the luxuriant, titular Being Guided by the Light and the sterner, more precise fare of Pas De Trois and they are then followed by the baroque gossamer of The Peacocks and a divinely dazzling The Scene is Clean.

Along next is the simply mesmerizing Atomic Space which is in turn backed by the propulsive Nigeria, the album rounding out on the exuberantly-sculpted My Grandfather’s Clock, closing on the spirited Island Birdie.

Being Guided By The Light is the latest release from Jojo Records, which was established in 2021. Created by jazz musician Simon Belelty, Jojo strives to provide listeners with a dazzling and almost mystical experience. With an emphasis on high quality audio and vinyl, the catalog is carefully curated by the most skilled technicians and producers, and leavened with passion.

www.mamikowatanabe.com