The 2023 album “Sonicwonderland” marked a new chapter in Hiromi’s career as she embarked on a musical journey with her latest quartet, Sonicwonder. The group, comprising French-born Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, brings together world-class musicians of diverse backgrounds to create a unique sound that blends classic jazz-rock fusion with classically rooted virtuosity, entrancing funk, and pop flourishes.
The Story Behind “OUT THERE”
Hiromi invites listeners to embark on a fun, thoughtful, and wild musical ride with her 13th studio album “OUT THERE”. Released on Telarc, the album is the follow-up to “Sonicwonderland” and captures the deep chemistry and fearless sense of interplay among the band members, forged through nearly two years of touring and playing together. The album’s musical alchemy is evident in tracks like “Balloon Pop” and the sensual neo-soul ballad “Pendulum”, which were previously shared as previews.
- Hiromi draws inspiration from various genres, including jazz-rock fusion, classical music, funk, pop, and disco.
- She collaborates with musicians of diverse backgrounds, including French-born Feraud, American Coye, and Brooklyn-raised O’Farrill.
- The Sonicwonder quartet creates a unique sound that blends different styles and influences.
Highlights of the Album
The album’s core is its four-part suite, which Hiromi considers essential to be listened to as a focused front-to-back experience. The suite opens with the rapid-fire melody of “Takin’ Off” and traverses the sly ’70s fusion grooves of “Strollin'”, which pays homage to Herbie Hancock, George Duke, and Grover Washington Jr. “Orion” follows, with bold and triumphant bookends that could score a great work of science fiction, while “The Quest” unites the chopped-up rhythmic thrust of current jazz with the synth pleasures of vintage prog-rock. The album’s finale is “Balloon Pop”, an earworm that pays tribute to Miles Davis’ ’80s recordings.
| Track Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Takin’ Off | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder |
| Strollin’ | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder |
| Orion | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder |
| The Quest | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder |
| Pendulum | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder featuring Michelle Willis |
| Balloon Pop | Hiromi’s Sonicwonder |
A Musical Legacy
Hiromi’s many career triumphs include an NPR Tiny Desk Concert that has racked up 2 million views; the opportunity to represent her native Japan with a performance at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo; 2024 winner for Best Music Score for the animated feature film Blue Giant; and a GRAMMY Award for a collaboration with fusion hero Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is dazzling, and she continues to push the boundaries of music, inspiring a new generation of musicians and fans.
Video Release: “Yes! Ramen!!”
The track “Yes! Ramen!!” gets its own video, showcasing Hiromi’s exploration of Japan and her favorite ramen spots. The song is a wild ride, boasting synth hooks, ska-tinged rhythms, revved-up disco beats, and a big Black Sabbath-sounding riff. The video shares the band’s love for ramen and their attempts to hit as many spots as possible on tour.
Tour Dates
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder kicks off a string of US tour dates, with concerts at famous venues in Chicago, Toronto, New York, Minneapolis, Tucson, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Istanbul, Halle, Essen, Bern, Basel, Dresden, München, Bonn, Gotesborg, Coutances, New York, Newport, Detroit, Bethesda, Madison, Evanston, Gainesville, Eindhoven, Madrid, Thüringen, Padova, Luxembourg City, Toulouse, London, and more. Fans can revisit her performance at Blue Note Tokyo and catch the band live on tour.
Sonicwonder Tour Dates
- Fri, APR 4 – Chicago Symphony Center – Chicago, IL
- Sat, APR 5 – George Wheaton Recital Hall – Toronto, Canada
- Mon, APR 7 – Blue Note – New York, NY
- … (many more dates listed)
“For this song, it was more like putting a soundtrack to the film I had in my head,” says Hiromi on the song. “When the landscape changes, then different music comes in — different restaurant, different style. Ramen is a true source of inspiration and I respect the ramen artisans so much so I finally wrote a song about it.”
“It all comes from curiosity,” Hiromi explains. “I think curiosity is the key to everything. How can you express yourself more? How can you write more?”
“Yes! Ramen!!” is a testament to Hiromi’s creativity and dedication to her craft, showcasing her unique sound and her ability to blend different styles and influences. As she continues to push the boundaries of music, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans and new audiences alike.
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