Review: Takahiro Izumikawa’s ‘Life is Your Thoughts’

There is a Japanese proverb dating back to at least the 16th Century: 一期一会 . Roughly translated, it means “each moment only once” and is intended to convey the fleetingness of life. The focus on the current moment, however, does not mean the nation ignores its past. Instead, it often melds ancient traditions and contemporary ones. The Tokyo skyline is replete with modern skyscrapers but is also the home of the Sensō-ji Temple, which was built almost fourteen-hundred years ago. Similarly, although the country’s culture has changed significantly over time, some arts- like calligraphy or origami-  have deep historical roots as well. On Life is Your Thoughts (Ropeadope Records, 2020), pianist Takahiro Izumikawa evokes this unique ethos of his homeland alongside other musical forms from around the world that have influenced him. The result shows its reverence to the artist’s background while transcending it. 

This is perhaps best seen on the title track. On a superficial level, “Life is Your Thoughts” appears to be heavily reliant on contemporary Western music. It seemingly conjures the Soulquarians’ blurring of jazz, R&B, and hip hop including rapping in English. Because of this, in many ways, it would sound appropriately placed alongside the works of other artists Izumikawa has collaborated with during his career, including Keyon Harrold, YEBBA, and Maurice Brown. 

However, repeat listening reveals the piece includes older Japanese melodies and vocal techniques. The song’s lyrics additionally reflect the nation’s oldest extant prose narrative, the “Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.” Predating most science fiction, it tells of Princess Kaguya, a beautiful woman who was the focus of many potential suitors, including the Emperor. Instead of marrying any of them, she yearned to return to her home on the moon, a feat she ultimately accomplished. Her tearfulness as she departed can be heard on the piece. 

“Higan” appears to take its name from the Higa Prefecture, a sub-region which formally dates back to 1872 and under different names to the late fifth century. It is perhaps best known for its Bunraku puppet theaters, an art form in which music plays a central role. Traditionally, it was provided by a chanter/singer, called the tayu, and an artist playing the shamisen, a three-stringed traditional instrument. The two musicians play a central role in providing voices for the puppets’ characters and their emotions. They also support the performance’s narrator. 

With its emphasis on electronica and jazz, more modern forms, Bunraku performances may seem far divorced from Izumikawa’s song. But more thorough comparisons expose the adoption of similar rhythms between the two as well as a shared idea of using music to convey one’s feelings. 

A more interesting facet of the remaining pieces on Life is Your Thoughts is that while subtle influences of traditional Japanese music remain throughout, at certain points he flips the concept and jazz – a style which has existed in Japan since the 1920’s- becomes the older form.  “Introduction” and “No Satisfaction” hide it behind the sounds of synthesizers masquerading as a string orchestra. On “Moving Up” it emerges from the shadow of EDM and dub. On the closer “Who You’ll Make Me Be,” it secretly guides an otherwise distracting pop vocal piece. 

On “Walk Alone”, jazz comes to the fore. Inspired by his last few years living in the city, the pianist brings the listener into a small New York club presenting a soulful piano trio. Even here, there are subtle hints of electronic and traditional Japanese inspirations between solos. 

Throughout, Izumikawa often sounds reminiscent of the great Herbie Hancock both in terms of his phrasing and in his fearlessness towards painting with a broad musical palette. This is not to say, however, that Life is Your Thoughts can be attributed to anyone else. Although the album’s background spreads across different eras and cultures, he weaves these threads into a tapestry that exhibits the artistic mind of its creator far more than its components.

Life is Your Thoughts will be released on April 10, 2020, on Ropeadope Records.

Tracklist: 1. Introduction, 2. No Satisfaction, 3. Life is Your Thoughts, 4. Higan, 5. Trigger, 6. Shigan, 7. Walk Alone, 8. Moving Up, 9. Interlude, 10. Close Again, 11. Who You’ll Make Me Be

Personnel: Takahiro Izumikawa (piano, keyboards, programming (1,2,4)), Parker McAllister (bass (3,5,6)), Natalie Oliveri (vocals (10), background vocals (3,8))), Dan Noguchi (background vocals (3,5), Guitar (5)), Joe Blaxx (drums (3,6)), Marshall York (drums (5,9)), Sarah Kang (background vocals (6,11)), Demetrius Richardson (rap (3)), Jermaine Holmes (vocals (3)), Kei Owada (background vocals (3)), Anna Toribuchi (background vocals (3)), Yasunobu Uezu (background vocals (3)), Ruby Choi (background vocals (5)), Marcos Varela (bass (7)), Jay Sawyer (drums (7)), Bajaha (vocals (8)), Maya Hatch (vocals (11)).