The follow up to her double album Yuko, the 2022 CD of The Caribbean Canvas is another fine release by Los Angeles-based pianist / composer Yuko Mabuchi. The 8-track, 43-minute album takes its musical cues from the breezy, tropical flair of the diverse cultures that make up the Caribbean Islands. Elements of Calypso, Reggae, Spanish and African music flavor the album’s vibrant sonic backdrop. The Caribbean Canvas features a range of first-rate musicians supporting Yuko’s acoustic piano-based compositions. Among the players adding to the zesty sound are Bobby Breton (drums), Troy Dexter (guitar), Del Atkins (bass), and Pam Vincent (vocals on “Magic Island”), in addition to a range of backing vocals and percussionists.

Among the many highlights is a cover of John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice”, a track that combines jazz with Caribbean tastes and the album-closing “Oh, Freedom”, an African American spiritual that pays homage to Caribbean patriots that fought and died for the freedom of their lands. Mixing Spanish and African sounds, the tropical “A Spanish Moment” was penned by Devin Thomas, a composer that also serves as the album's recording and mixing engineer.

Co-written by Yuko and her partner Billy Mitchell, and the only track here recorded at the Vibrato Jazz Club in L.A., “Magic Island” is Yuko’s self-styled tribute to the island of St. Croix. “Orville’s Way” features the Steel Drum of Russ Henry and offers a combination of Calypso, Reggae and Blues.

Produced by Billy Mitchell and arranged by Yuko Mabuchi, The Caribbean Canvas was recorded in Sierra Madre, California. With its colorful range of Tropical fusion tracks, The Caribbean Canvas is an unforgettable album of innovative piano sounds from jazz sensation Yuko Mabuchi.