Label: Self released, 2022

Personnel - Kenji Lee: tenor saxophone, Hammond organ (#13); Andy Peck: double bass, electric bass (#4); Jonathan Barahal Taylor: percussion; Estar Cohen (#1,9,13).

This is an extraordinary outing by Tokyo-born, Michigan-based saxophonist Kenji Lee who got inspiration in Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. The track sequence forms a narrative that, like the above-mentioned traditional practice, has no particular target apart from the movement and form that lead to spiritual development. Over the course of 14 pieces packed with new discoveries and a modernistic personal language, his Fortune Teller Trio reveals perfect discipline and precise focus.

“Seisha Hicchu”, which translates as ‘true shooting, certain hitting’, is a propulsive, frantic swinger that galvanizes Lee and guest vocalist Estar Cohen into enthusiastic performances. The singer also shines on “Sacred Text”, which displays characteristics of a mournful march.

Written by bassist Andy Peck, “Deth’s Breth” unfolds with dark intonations. His bass lines, going from linear to entangling to motivic, have the spunky drumming of Jonathan Barahal Taylor and angular saxophone depictions creating something between metal and punk music. Vivid and agitated, “Agate” incorporates electric bass as part of its rock-solid rhythmic actions. A drum solo occurs in accordance to the formula: jump and dance.

A couple of short-duration numbers are delivered as percussive bass-and-drums duets for variety, whereas boppish sax/bass unisons race over a swinging groove on the Peck penned “Pell Mell”. Instead, and with emphasis on the melody, “Empty Cup” adopts a more pop/rock song format with strong improvisation atop. Metric modulation is detected in the last section when seven beats per measure flow rapidly.

Musicality is around, even when the spontaneity of the improvisation is dominant. During Ornette Coleman’s “Chanting” (taken from the 1988 album Virgin Beauty) and Mahler’s “Symphony no. 9”, a lento, restraint posture doesn’t discard organic unity. The album finishes in tones of ballad with a fine reading of singer/songwriter Joanna Sternberg’s “You Have Something Special”.

Lee achieved the principles of truth, goodness and beauty with his music. More to the point: Kyudo is simply awesome work.