Artists: Chick Corea & Hiromi
Album: Duet
Label: Concord Records
Release Date: Feb. 3rd, 2009

First released back in 2007 in Japan, Duet was the top selling jazz album of the year. February 3rd, 2009 marked the release in the U.S., and reviews are already making it to the top of the charts. An inspirational album that highlights a fantastic collaboration between 13-time Grammy Award winner Chick Corea and rising jazz pianist Hiromi, it features original tracks from both artists as well as many popular covers.

One of the most striking features about this collaboration is the fact that such collaboration came from 2 different generations of musicians. Combining their styles, which are quite different, produced an intriguing hybrid that sets it a part from many contemporary jazz albums. A duet album is always an interesting work because it involves the surrender of each artist as individuals and forces both to think outside the box.

Both Corea and Hiromi have the own originals that are featured on the 2-disc album, and we can also find a couple of originals that were the result of the collaboration between the two artists. In addition there are many covers which look back and re-discover the works of great artists such as Thelonious Monk (“Bolivar Blues”) and Lennon-McCartney (“Fools On The Hill”).

Audio Samples from the album:

“How Intsensive”
- Quicktime
- Windows Media

“The Fool On The Hill”
- Quicktime
- Windows Media

If you are not familiar with the works of Chick Corea or Hiromi, we can only say that this is one that won’t escape your attention. The album is a great example of how two artists’ talents can be combined to form one cohesive and intricately knitted work. Varying in tempo, meter, and key, each track seamlessly jumps in and out of time, always leaving the listener awaiting the reunification of the main theme.

Unlike many contemporary works, however, it is not an uncomfortable feel that normally arises when the listener becomes lost. Instead of it being a treasure hunt, where the listener must do much to meet the artists half way, it can be thought of as an exploration. For the advanced listener and fan of either of these two artists, there is never a dull moment. And for those who simply want to enjoy the music without paying special attention to the details, it definitely fits the bill.

While the album features several covers of classic tracks, you can be sure that you have not heard them quite in this way. An arsenal of creativity, unique writing style, and stellar performance ability, these two artists offer a new twist on some of the standards that you have enjoyed over the years.

The best thing about this album is that it is enjoyable to listen to multiple times. We don’t mean that you’ll put it back in after 6 months; rather you can listen to it multiple times in the same day. You can get more and more out of it every time you listen. And as we have already mentioned, it can be used in various contexts – from background dinner parties to listening in your car on the way to work. Having listened it to a dozen times since the release, we can definitely recommend this album to just about every type of jazz listener out there.

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- For more information about the album, please visit On Target Media Group
- Information about Chick Corea
- Information about Hiromi
- Additional Information, click here
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