NORIKI - Dream Cruise LP

Label: Universal

The second album by NORIKI, a sextet led by pianist Soichi Noriki, has been re-released on clear vinyl. Following on from their previous album, this monumental work is packed with exhilarating fusion, from urban killer tunes featuring Yurie Kokubu on vocals to disco-boogie numbers and classic light and mellow songs. Originally released in 1984.

Soichi Noriki is mostly known for his work as a Jazz/Fusion pianist, playing with George Kawaguchi in the late 70s and singer Anli Sugano, in the early 80s. From the mid-80s onward he played with even more high profile Jazz artists including Sadao Watanabe, Randy Crawford and as recently as 2015 with Benny Golson.

Dream Cruise is a fun and funky record, with some fantastically jazzy sections woven throughout, it even has a number of Smooth Jazz inspired tracks that instantly capture and reinvent your mood, even if some of them fall a little flat by comparison. Definitely recommended for fans of Steely Dan, Smooth Jazz and Jazz-Funk/Pop!