Japanese born, New York-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda released his sophomore album this year. Rising Son features creative, technical guitar solos, afrobeat, a seamless fusion of jazz and soul, and of course, lots of trumpet. The February 18 release, produced by bandmate José James, is worthy of more than just a listen.

    Kuroda has been playing in James’ live act for years. This album and the rest of Kuroda’s music are without doubt in the same vein as James’ music. On the other hand, some unique, interesting things happen with Kuroda on the spotlight.

“No one sounds like Takuya,” James said. “His tone, warmth and most of all his storytelling have inspired me for years.”

    The two artists met each other through their mutual attendance of the NYC based university known primarily as a music school, The New School. The album is meant to be a metaphor for Kuroda’s career, according to an article by Kuroda’s record label, Blue Note. The choice to make the name of the album Rising Son rather than Rising Sun, was a very considerate one.

    “I’ve been in New York for ten years,” Kuroda comments. “I wouldn’t say it’s been slow but seeing bigger results took time.”

The opening song, titled “Rising Son” after the album, is a slow burning track that calmly and confidently guides the listener into the intricate textures of Kuroda’s music.

The album’s single, a very distinctive and fresh track, is named “Afro Blues.” The song breaks open loud and full, with a choppy, poppy trumpet melody. The rhythm of the song is modeled after afrobeat, an African-inspired style. The Rhodes piano comes on the scene during the chorus with complementary jazz chords. Lionel Loueke brings some subtle rhythm guitar through the majority of the song and, near the end, one very creative solo.

“Green and Gold” is stacatto heavy like “Afro Blues” and has less of a core. It’s an explorative track. Kuroda glides through many different frames and the song seems to move every few minutes into a brand new musical space. Then the melody that started the song comes back and the song concludes very satisfyingly.

There are several other great tracks on Rising Son and the album deserves serious praise.

The Rising Son record, along with Jose James and Takuya Kuroda, was performed by pianist Kris Bowers, electric bassist Solomon Dorsey, drummer Nate Smith, and trombonist Corey King.