★Nipponophone
Cat
Reissue of Hiroshi Suzuki’s glorious jazz-fusion-funk Holy Grail Cat. Cat was recorded in October 1975 at at Nippon Columbia Studio, while Hiroshi Suzuki was visiting his home country of Japan after moving to Las Vegas in 1971 to play with Buddy Rich and perfect his craft. Back on his old stomping grounds, the man known as Neko (Cat) immediately reunited with his dear friends for an epic two day session of groove magic. The chemistry was still intact. The skills and style had grown. The result, …
Smile
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* In 1967, drummer Takeo Moriyama joined pianist Yosuke Yamashita’s group, later forming a legendary trio together with saxophonist Seiichi Nakamura in 1969. This group consisting of Moriyama, Yamashita, and Nakamura became known worldwide as one of Japan's leading free jazz combos. Moriyama left the group in 1975 and later returned to the scene in 1977 with the Flush Up live album, where he evolved and deepened his musicality in a more melodic and rhythmic direc…
High-Flying
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* Hiromasa Suzuki is a legendary composer and arranger, and a key player who has been active in the Japanese music world, including jazz as well as movies, television and commercials. In the late ‘60s and mid-’70s, he was deeply involved in the works of Terumasa Hino, Akira Ishikawa and Jiro Inagaki in their most radical times. The album “High-Flying,” recorded in 1976, showed his innovativeness, which was always one step ahead of the times. This is an essential …
Wandering Birds
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* This is the first and long-awaited vinyl reissue of this Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media jazz rock masterpiece! With vocals by Sammy and Yasushi Sawada. Backed by Masahiko Sato, Kimio Mizutani, Hiro Yanagida. Essential!
Head Rock
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* From the opening tune “The Vamp” to the final “Head Rock”, this album is a dazzling jazz rock showcase with dreadnought songs that are filled with ideas and passion. This is a masterpiece that has an overwhelming presence in the history of jazz in Japan, as an heresy left on the prestigious jazz label Takt.
Special Sound Series – Vol. 2: The Word
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* "The Word II” track has gained instant worldwide recognition after being sampled by Mac DeMarco in "Chamber of Reflection" and by Travis Scott and Quavo's unit Huncho Jack in "How U Feel." Shigeo Seikito's seminal work, which includes this track, is now reissued on colored vinyl. This album is the most widely listened-to electone piece in the world, drawing attention from a diverse range of audiences including hip-hop, balearic, and dream pop enthusiasts.
Babylonia Wind
A deep and mysterious groove that makes you hesitate to give in to it. Kiyoshi Sugimoto is a guitarist who has sharply shot through the heart of the times. This is the highest point of his achievement.
Kiyoshi Sugimoto is a guitarist that Terumasa Hino longed for and Akira Ishikawa fell in love with. His cutting-edge and diverse sound has always been at the forefront of modern jazz and jazz rock, and has sharply shot through the heart of the times. There is no doubt that this work, "Babylonia Wi…
Drum Method
The raging drums scorch the times. Accompanied by a whirlwind of young talents, Takeshi Inomata proudly heralds the arrival of the golden age of jazz-rock. Takeshi Inomata, a drummer who led the jazz scene in Japan with his precise stick work and musicality that looked ahead to the times. At the end of the 1960s, he was influenced by brass rock, which was flourishing at the time, and formed Sound Limited.
"I want to fuse jazz and rock and bring together young musicians to do music with vitality,…
Ryukyu Rare Groove Crossover - Okinawa Jazz Funk 1964-1984
A compilation of tracks that rearrange Okinawan folk songs into Jazz Funk, crossover, and large ensemble jazz, featuring works by Kiyoshi Yamaya, who was also highlighted in "Diggers Dozen" (BBE) by the Japanese DJ Muro, known as the "King of Diggin," and "Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk 1976" (180g). This collection debuts as the latest installment in the "Ryukyu Rare Groove" series, which was originally released in Japan in 2003 to great acclaim.
Ryukyu Rare Groove Revisited - Okinawa Pops 1957-1978
A compilation of rare and unique songs that blend rock and soul grooves with pop songs sung in the traditional scales of Okinawa, a southern island of Japan. It includes 14 tropical groove tracks from notable artists such as the iconic Yara Families, the pioneer of Okinawan folk rock Shokichi Kina, and Mitsuko Sawamura, who transitioned from Okinawa to American musical films.
Flying Easy
First vinyl reissue since its original release in 1980! Track A2 - Cloudy is featured in our WAMONO A to Z Vol. I - Japanese Jazz Funk & Rare Groove 1968-1980 (Selected by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite & Chintam) compilation.A rich groove crafted by a rhythm section featuring Harvey Mason on drums and eight trombones. This Jazz Funk/Fusion album is a mix of original compositions by Chikara Ueda and covers of Boz Scaggs' tracks.
Drums: Harvey Mason - Trombone: Shigeharu Mukai (A-1, 2) - Flute, Sopran…