Banksia Trio “LIVE” (TSGW Records 2025)

Takashi Sugawa 須川 崇志 – bass

Masaki Hayashi 林正樹 – piano

Shun Ishiwaka 石若駿 – drums

Recorded live on tour in Tokyo and Kanazawa in 2022 and 2023, these tracks are the cream of the Banksia Trio’s Japan tour. The trio’s power and energy come through in this live context, so it’s perfect that these “best of” tracks have been pulled together as if it were one concert.

Except for tunes by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Masabumi Kikuchi, these are all original compositions by the group members. The opener, “Drizzling Rain,” recorded at Blue Note Tokyo, is just that—opening up space. Soft sketches of notes leave room for listeners to enter and experience the reflective atmosphere.

“Rain” is the perfect follow-up, building slowly by layering musical textures deeply, with the bass and drums working sparingly to support the somewhat melancholy flow of piano lines. “MASKS” opens with an intense rhythmic line undercut by pulsing bass. When Hayashi leaps in on piano, it’s not clear where the song is going, but the directions they explore are fascinating. Surprise is the direction, even when a more conventional melodic exploration takes over and then stretches out into wilder territory.

The muscular exchanges between the musicians are invigorating and grow stronger as the CD progresses. There’s a softness in there, too, between the intensities, and that’s what makes the exploratory recording a head above most free jazz recordings. Recorded live, you can almost feel the audience reacting. Listening at home, it’s hard not to react.

“Stefano” slows down and moves to a minimalist approach, while “Doppio Movimento” picks up the pace, tripping, jumping, and dancing forward with fresh sounds and an attention to the creative use of instruments. “Yoshi” continues that approach with a lively, uplifting tone and nimble playing from all three, for an exciting number that builds in speed and energy as it runs to a startling climax.

“Gui” by Ryuichi Sakamoto closes out the recording with a more straight-ahead, lyrical tune that is as delicate as possible while still keeping the freer brawn of the other tunes.

The recording didn’t feel drawn from three different performances but felt as if it had been played in one long flow. Without compromise and with powerful trio interplay, the recording is challenging at points, but impressive, moving, and rewarding.