On her debut, pianist
Junko Onishi (who is accompanied by bassist
Rodney Whitaker and drummer
Billy Higgins) shows a great deal of creativity. She builds up her "Eulogia" gradually and colorfully with impressive use of the piano's lower register. When she tackles
Ornette Coleman's "Congeniality,"
Onishi manages to be both free and melodic and the pianist also comes up with something fresh to say on "Caravan." In general her tricky frameworks, self-restraint, use of space and careful attention to dynamics and pacing are impressive and show quite a bit of maturity.