‘1969’ gives interesting instrumentation to foreign sound

Portland band Pink Martini’s new album “1969”, its first since the Christmas-themed “Joy to the World” in 2010, features Japanese singer Saori Yuki and will be released Nov. 1.

Nicknamed the “little orchestra,” Pink Martini plays a blend of many sounds from all across the world, crossing classical, jazz and a bit of pop.

The group undoubtedly draws these various musical influences from its multilingual and multicultural 12 members who are from numerous places across the world including Germany, Brazil and Peru.

Thomas Lauderdale, who started the band in 1994, described the band on the Pink Martini website as an “around-the-world musical adventure.” After giving the new album a couple of spins, this appears to be an accurate description.

The album, essentially a tribute album to singer Yuki, who released her first album in 1969, which was called “Yoake No Scat” (Melody for a New Dawn), features many songs from her debut as well as numerous other covers of well-known songs.

As result, nearly the entire album is sung in Japanese but also has some English, Spanish and even French thrown in.

Many of the songs are covers of older songs or songs straight out of Yuki’s debut “1969” album, and you may recognize several of them, especially ones like “Du Soleil Plein Les Yeux”, “Mas Que Nada”, by Jordge Ben, and “Puff the Magic Dragon,” a tune most will definitely be familiar with.

If you just love to listen to different kinds of instruments, this album would also be a great thing to pick up. There is a lot of variety, considering the fact that there are 12 members and each is a master at their instrument.

In addition to the stellar musicianship, the production is magnificent and each instrument is mixed such a way that every pluck of a string or blow of the trumpet is distinct while not covering over the other instruments. As a lover of the bass guitar, I found this particular aspect a major plus since they often take a backseat to other instruments.

Yuki is also someone you simply must hear. Her voice is phenomenal, soft and dreamy, and her control is superb, which is no surprise since she has released more than 30 albums in her 42-year career.

It’s great music to listen to when stretching out on a coach and relaxing. The songs blend well together, but sometimes too well, and you may not notice the tracks change as they come and go.

As a result, many of my personal favorites are the more famous cover songs, but there are no bad tracks by any means. The opening track, “Yuuzuki,” is probably my favorite track overall, starting with some very Oriental style instrumentation followed by some smooth jazzy trumpet playing.

The other tracks on the CD include, “Mayonaka no Bossa Nova” (Midnight Bossa Nova), “Li Janaino Shiawse Naraba” (It’s Okay If I’m Happy), “Blue Light Yokohama,” “Yoake No Scat” (Melody for a New Dawn), “Watashimo Anatato Naiteii” (Consolation), “Wasuretainoni” (I Want To Forget You, But…) and “Kisetsu no Aishioto” (Footsteps of the Season).

If you are a fan of jazz, I would greatly recommend this album because although Pink Martini mixes a great amount of musical styles from across the world, it all comes together in a jazz-pop blend that is a pleasure for the ears.

Even if you’re not exactly an avid jazz fan, like myself, if you consider yourself open minded, I promise that you’ll find something on this wonderfully unique album that you’ll enjoy.