What makes Voice by Hiromi Uehara notable?

'Voice' received critical acclaim for its ambitious arrangements and improvisational depth, earning Hiromi a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. The album's exploration of various emotional themes through jazz also contributed to its influence on contemporary jazz artists, encouraging a more experimental approach to composition. When 'Voice' was released in 2011, Hiromi Uehara was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for her eclectic style that blends elements of avant-garde and contemporary jazz. This album marked her fifth studio release, following 'Spiral' (2006), and showcased her continued evolution as a composer and performer, further solidifying her reputation as a groundbreaking pianist.

Voice works well if you're into long immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and steady consistent energy levels.

How many songs are on Voice?

Voice has 9 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

Voice

Hiromi Uehara · 2011

65 min · 9 tracks · jazz

Innovative jazz compositions intertwine virtuosic piano riffs with intricate rhythms, creating a captivating auditory landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Voice — The title track serves as a stunning introduction to the album's thematic scope, blending lyrical melodies with intricate improvisation that showcases Hiromi's technical prowess.
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Labyrinth — This piece exemplifies the album's complexity, featuring unexpected tempo changes and harmonies, reflecting the sense of journey that permeates the entire work.
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Temptation — Characterized by its playful motifs and syncopated rhythms, this track highlights Hiromi's ability to fuse classical influences with modern jazz sensibilities in an engaging manner.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

Innovative compositions and virtuosic performances create a distinctive jazz experience.

What we noticed

Each track showcases a different emotional theme, with the piano often leading through rapid melodic changes.
The final track is a reinterpretation of Beethoven’s Sonata, contrasting the preceding original compositions.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
steady consistent energy levels
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

Career context: When 'Voice' was released in 2011, Hiromi Uehara was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for her eclectic style that blends elements of avant-garde and contemporary jazz. This album marked her fifth studio release, following 'Spiral' (2006), and showcased her continued evolution as a composer and performer, further solidifying her reputation as a groundbreaking pianist.
Stylistic neighbors: Tigran Hamasyan· Robert Glasper· Brad Mehldau