"The pianist, compose and educator Yoko Yates has a lengthy history in jazz sounds, and here along with Jamie Baum (flute, alto flute), Sam Sidagursky (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax), Aryeh Kobrinsky (bass) and Jeff Hirschfield (drums), 10 very precise and absorbing instrumentals unfold with much grace.
“Near The Horizon” leads with an airy demeanor that’s bright and fluid with the winds, drums and keys interacting with much warmth, and “Dawn” follows with sublime piano balladry that benefits much from soothing clarinet that’s quite expressive.
Halfway through, the playful “Jungle Flowers” bounces with an undeniable charm that’s anchored by the agile keys, while “Procession Of Queen Maya” emits stirring melodies in the dreamy album highlight.
“Early Spring” and “Moon Night Dance” exit the listen, where the former floats with a very upbeat delivery that certainly sounds like new beginnings, and the latter gets frisky, dance-friendly even, as it showcases all the players’ talents in spades.
A very enlightening and captivating body of work, Yates and company make the most of each moment here, where unparalleled chemistry and strong attention to detail is appreciated."
- TAKE EFFECT
"The debut as a leader from pianist Yoko Yates – not a new musician by any means, and one with a really fantastic ear for original compositions! Yates is great on piano, but she's also got a wonderful sense of the overall sound of the record – and brings in some wonderful reed contributions from Jamie Baum on flutes, and Sam Sadigursky on alto and bass clarinet – musicians who shape her tunes alongside the piano, and bring in all these lyrical, almost painterly colors to the mix! The rest of the quintet lineup features Aryeh Kobrinsky on bass and Jeff Hirshfield on drums – and the set features all original titles by Yoko."
- DUSTY GROOVE online record store
"Yoko’s music is imaginative, fun, beautiful, and natural. It incorporates music from a variety of genres and has emotional depth that hits my heart. Her unique style appeals not only jazz enthusiasts but to a broader audience. Each time I listen to “Mystic Life” it reveals more and inspires my own creativity. It is wonderfully crafted. Thank you Yoko for creating such beauty for us."
- DAVE GAHAN lead singer Depeche Mode (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 2020)
"A highly skilled pianist comes to New York, starts meeting people as she builds her band and brand and the next thing you know, an ensemble is born that knows just how to deliver her original tunes. Smoking instrumental music that is jazz but goes beyond jazz in many ways. Often impressionistic and visual, this is a smoking debut from a pro that just planted a recording flag quite firmly."
-CHRIS SPECTOR Editor and Publisher Midwest Record
"Going beyond what words can express."
-KYOKO GASHA documentary film director
"Yoko Yates' finely crafted original compositions shine brightly with beautiful performances by all. This is a noteworthy first CD."
- SCOTT LEE producer
"Yates hadn’t originally intended for her debut recording to serve as a
personal journey into memories of childhood, or as a treatise on how early
fantasies shaped her music as an adult. And she can’t really identify what
triggered these memories years later, or impelled her to ensnare them in
song. But Mystic Life turned out to encompass all those topics and more,
wrapped up in this blithely enchanting, superbly crafted album.
- NEIL TESSER host, music critic and author (Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz Journalism)
