Scenery by Ryo Fukui
jazz • 1976
X
as i sit in the window seat of an airplane, overlooking a chromatic fresh morning on the horizon, a sleeping man on my shoulder presses me a bit closer to the window, i decided now is the best time for Ryo Fukui.
“It Could Happen To You” plays.
the sleeping man slumps down a little a heavier, the atmospheric blue hue overcomes the world outside the window, outside begins to leak in. a gorgeous orange band of color seperates earth and heaven just up ahead. down below, small islands of thin clouds drift away. its in this setting that Fukui’s music on his well known and respected album “Scenery” comes in with clarity. forced into this confinement, the cabin of the plane is still as the landscape, i’m forced to reckon with the day as it unfolds. a daunting prospect. “Scenery” helps guide the way into the rest of the day.
i believe that the very first thing you do in your day, will decide its resulting factors. its a delicate (and often unchosen) interaction or choice that forms your mindset and attitude for the next 16 hours. out there exists a list of the most beneficial ways to start the day. one is for sure, a black cup of coffee. Fukui is optioning to be the second.
“Early Summer”, the album’s most known song, guides the spirit with earnestness and energy. the soft piano trickles in, the album and the world come alive.
“Scenery” is a classic jazz album, through and through. Ryo Fukui plays on the fundamentals i grew up understanding. nothing flashy and new, just good solid, straight-on jazz.
“Autumn Leaves” locks down the album with 6 minutes of jaunty bass and piano ensemble, with percussion cleaning up the set.
this is a tough genre to discern, especially for those outside the tight inner circle of enthusiasts and life-long students. “Scenery” is widely known in many circles. the reason for this, my guess is that people go nuts for anything Japanese. that’s not a backhanded compliment, just a fact. pair that with a Youtube algorithm boost and the album has taken off, from veritable obscurity, in the recent years. the mystery and fascination around the album simplifies.
“I Want To Talk About You” winds down a sincere production. the blood orange sky relinquishes to indigo, the morning matures, the coffee shallows.
I want to find more in “Scenery”. it deserves the effort. it’s concise, stately, well-considered, exactly what it intends to be. however, my primary complaint, is that i do wish there were something a bit more. the album dutifully stays in it’s lane. even the three performers here, find issue with leaving their station. there isn’t much play or give between the three instruments. the album never goes wild, it does not attempt to break or subvert convention.
i appreciate a bit more oomph in my jazz. the genre can flourish and flower in ways none other can. jazz is a discipline of music that defines the medium itself.
while the album does remain a bit singular, i can’t be too upset for this. especially at a brisk 41 minutes, the album is perfect to play in the background before the start of the day.
“Scenery” may not strike a diverse sound over its austere stability, however that doesn’t make it a cheap effort by any means. there is even better jazz in so many styles. but the right job requires the right tool. it just might be the particularly right way to address your day as soon as the warm bed linens come off.
right after coffee, of course.
written by Marcus Landeros- highlights -
It Could Happen To You
Early Summer
Autumn Leaves
track list:
It Could Happen to You
I Want to Talk About You
Early Summer
Willow Weep for Me
Autumn Leaves
Scenery
