Dapper

Ending a brief hiatus, SOIL&“PIMP”SESSIONS returns with its first release since the departure of saxophonist Motoharu. The party atmosphere is strong, not least on the catchy Japanese pop song “YUMEMAKASE” and the English-language “Drivin'.” Tabu Zombie’s trumpet strongly recalls later Miles Davis on “Deform Reform,” while Josei’s adroit piano lends sparkle to the slow and moody “Dusk.” Afro-Cuban jazz rears its head on “Bond” as well. Amid the dance and pop elements, the band shows laudable skill in the jazz idiom, most explicitly on “Pride Fish Ball.”