A woman’s voice should and will be heard, and Mai Sugimoto creates such a space, in the midst of white chauvinism and anti-Asian resentment, for her monologue, the saxophonist’s sophomore album and first solo effort (Asian Improv Records, 2021). Indeed, Sugimoto’s sound is as naked as ever on what she describes as a visceral response to our troubling times. Recorded in Chicago’s Loop in November 2020, Sugimoto resonates through the studio—and, one imagines, the empty streets—and over the faint roars of the El train.
This is ferocity and finesse, and she buoys every note with her abiding sense of humor, exploring sounds and textures with an alto saxophone, flute, percussion, and toys—sometimes simultaneously. Sugimoto’s record reflects what she has felt through the pandemic—mourning, fear, joy, anger, gratitude—to create this monologue: an unmasking, a leap of faith, an I’m speaking, a one-woman show.
1. monologue 09:03
2. shell ghosts 02:48
3. missing drummer 02:33
4. Ab 01:42
5. squeamish 02:43
6. furue 03:44
7. choking hazard 02:22
8. hysteria 01:48
9. mating dance 03:21
10. migratory season 04:36
11. sabi 02:51
12. so trill 03:55
13. niji masu 02:41
14. corridor 02:00
MAI SUGIMOTO (BMI)
alto saxophone
flute
toy xylophones
drum
shells
bells
roland micro cube
all compositions
excutive producer
TATSU AOKI
associate producer
MAI SUGIMOTO
recorded on
NOVEMBER 22 & 29, 2020 at FAB MUSIC STUDIO, CHICAGO
mixing & mastering
CALEB WILLITZ
