monologue, by Mai Sugimoto

monologue

by Mai Sugimoto

supported by

mehmetk I was blown away not just with how intense Sugimoto-san's performance is on this record, but also with how much imagination and creativity is in her improvisation. I'd say such a young musician as her has no right to be this good but clearly she earned this right twenty times over. Amazing.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
comes in a 4-panel wallet case, with photography by Kioto Aoki and the artist.

Includes unlimited streaming of monologue via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

$15 USD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$15 USD
Full Digital Discography

Get all 3 Mai Sugimoto releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Sunlight Filtering Through Leaves, monologue, and Born/Raised. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

$34 USD or more (15% OFF)

1.	monologue 09:03	buy track
2.	shell ghosts 02:48	buy track
3.	missing drummer 02:33	buy track
4.	Ab 01:42	buy track
5.	squeamish 02:43	buy track
6.	furue 03:44	buy track
7.	choking hazard 02:22	buy track
8.	hysteria 01:48	buy track
9.	mating dance 03:21	buy track
10.	migratory season 04:36	buy track
11.	sabi 02:51	buy track
12.	so trill 03:55	buy track
13.	niji masu 02:41	buy track
14.	corridor 02:00	buy track

about

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.

credits

released March 20, 2021

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

photography (cover, back cover, disc)
KIOTO AOKI

photography (inside panels) & graphic design
MAI SUGIMOTO

graphic production
AL BRANDTNER

license

about

Mai Sugimoto Chicago, Illinois

Japanese-born saxophonist, composer, and active member of Chicago’s jazz and creative music scene. Sugimoto draws inspiration from her upbringing in Japan and her roots in jazz to compose and perform from her unique multicultural experience.

Photo: Kioto Aoki ... more

maisugimoto.com

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