JUNKO ONISHI TRIO — Live At The Village Vanguard (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a memorable set. When pianist Junko Onishi performs songs from the likes of Charles Mingus ("So Long Eric"), John Lewis ("Concorde"), and Ornette Coleman ("Congeniality"), she interprets each of the tunes as much as possible within the intent and style of its composer. "So Long Eric," although performed by her trio, gives one the impression at times that several horns are soloing together; in addition, polyrhythms are utilized part of the time, Ornette's "Congeniality" has a strong pulse but fairly free improvising, while "Concorde" sounds both distinguished and full of blues feeling, like John Lewis himself. Onishi's exploration of "Blue Skies" uplifts the warhorse through the use of colorful vamps and an altered melody, she takes the slow ballad "Darn That Dream" as a medium-tempo stomp, and her original, "How Long Has This Been Goin' On," is brooding but not downbeat and swings hard without losing its serious nature. There is not a weak selection in the bunch and the interplay between Onishi, bassist Reginald Veal, and drummer Herlin Riley is quite impressive. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    So Long Eric 8:27
Written-By – Charles Mingus
2.    Blue Skies 9:16
Written-By – Irving Berlin
3.    Concorde 6:32
Written-By – John Lewis 
4.    How Long Has This Been Goin' On 10:45
Written-By – Junko Onishi
5.    Darn That Dream 6:31
Written-By – Eddie De Lange, Jimmy Van Heusen
6.    Congeniality 14:02
Written-By – Ornette Coleman
Credits :
Bass – Reginald Veal
Drums – Herlin Riley
Piano – Junko Onishi