Saori Yano - Little Tiny (2014) Hi-Res

Accompanied by the trio of Lonnie Smith, one of the best Hammond organists currently active, Yano Saori's new album showcases her overflowing vocal energy and groove. When Lonnie Smith met her for the first time at a rehearsal, he was so astonished by her performance that he called his friend Lou Donaldson (as) and excitedly told her, "I'm recording with a 20-year-old saxophone player from Japan, and she's better than you were when you were 20." While Yano has consistently pursued the bebop sound of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, focusing her repertoire on their original songs and favorite standards, this album also features works by Burt Bacharach and Yumi Arai, breaking new ground with her exquisite vocal delivery. Two original tracks are also included, worthy of being called new bebop standards. The album showcases the deep, distinctive tone of her beloved vintage Conn 26M guitar. This special tribute track, a dream collaboration between the genius singer Misora Hibari, who celebrated her 70th birthday this year, and 20-year-old Yano Saori, transcends time and space, featuring her singing of "Let's Take the A Train," recorded when she was 17. Also worth listening to is Yano Saori's alto, which intertwines with Misora Hibari's Betty Rocher-esque ad-libs. Don't miss this encounter between these young talents.