Hiroshima are not so much a band but an institution nowadays in the USA, they symbolise the classic maxim, 'East Meets West' whereby the music of Asia is fused with the music of North America and Europe but also the fusing of cultures both old and new. On this new release , the Japanese Americans Dan and June Kuramoto, which form the basis of Hiroshima, continue with their tried and trusted formula of fusing the music of their present and past. "Little Tokyo", which is named for a well known Asian neighborhood in Southern California, combines Asian, Latin American, African American and more influences into their compositions. There is an exotic dimension to this CD collection the defies definition. That it is one of Hiroshima's most creative releases to date is definite. Every performance shines with individuality, whether in solo or in group expression.Guest keyboardist and labelmate James K. Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream joins in on the catchy tune titled "Lanai". The album offers a cocktail of young and old, east and west, funky tunes and contemporary jazz grooves with a dash of lyricism and the result encapsulates the dedication and reverance of some of today's finest exponents of Japanese and American idioms. If you haven't heard any of Hiroshima's music yet, this is a good starting point and you will soon be looking for those back catalogue albums to learn more about their unusal musical adventure. This is most enjoyable album of diversity,it is like a journey, not a destination for a band who have enjoyed more than 30 years of success playing music in a style and mode which is consistent with today's evolving cross cultural themes.