Search - Naoyuki Onda :: Dreams

East and West music, beautifully entwined

Javier Navas | Milenrama, Madrid | 01/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the vein of other Eastern authors, like say Kitaro, Hiroshima, Azuma, Ryuichi Sakamoto and many others, Naoyuki tries to build a link between the modern jazz/pop/rock from the West and the traditional Eastern sources. The result is a very romantic and sensitive collection of smooth songs, from the monotony and predictability of some tracks to the sublime beauty of some like 'Heartland' or 'Dreams'.





This one track, 'Dreams', which closes the album, must be one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It's a mere piano solo, only accompanied by some synthesiser, but the deep peace and beauty of the track is not only a perfect ending for the album, but definately something else. There is something in the middle of the song that stops time and leads you very far. Sometimes it made me cry, some other times made me think of someone I loved, but always made me dream. I would love you to listen to that song to understand what I'm saying.





In general it's an enjoyable recording and has a couple of unforgettable tracks for the romantics. 'The Night Sky' is a nice and soft seeking of a smooth jazz/Eastern traditional mix. But the two titles mentioned above are brilliant and extremely beautiful, and 'Distant Vista' is a very honest and intense tune.





Must say as well I've changed this review from the one I wrote around 10 years ago. The reason why is the album has grown on me over these years and my opinion about it has definately improved.





It's a fine record to give a try with beautiful Eastern & Japanese heart mixed with a very classy Western background. An album for dreaming."

Music to Dream With

Gary Reiner | Sacramento, CA USA | 03/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dream (1999) is one of the best instrumental efforts by Nayuki Onda. The music is contemporary in flavor with piano in the main role among the various other instruments. This is an album for music lovers of all stripes, but one has to keep in mind that it's a mellow production, one wherein you as the listener can sit back and dream or have the album on as wonderful background music. Instruments on the album include: keyboards, niko, yohkin, koto, syakuhachi, guitar, and drums."