Satoh, Masahiko/sabu Toyozumi
The Aiki
A hidden gem of 1990s Japanese free music called 'The Aiki', dug up by NoBusiness is an exciting collaboration between two legends, pianist Masahiko Satoh and drummer Sabu Toyozumi. Available for the first time on record in partnership with Japan's Chap Chap imprint, this crystal-clear live recording from a 1997 concert in Yamaguchi captures the magic of these two improvisational masters. Satoh's stylistically adventurous piano work blends classical composition, jazz, and bluesy flourishes, while Toyozumi's dynamic drumming, informed by his global experiences and AACM tenure, creates a vibrant and ever-shifting counterpoint. Together, they unleash two epic, spontaneous improvisations that merge delicate moments with dramatic, rhythmically aligned bursts of energy.