Jazz /
Live!
*Limited Edition* Immerse yourself in the charm of a Japanese piano trio session, elevated by the rhythmic enchantment of conga player Yohichi Ogawa. The trio, featuring Kunihiko Sugano on piano, Eizoh Honda on bass, and Teruhiko Takada on drums, takes on a sweet and dynamic quality. Ogawa's conga rhythms add a distinctive flair, injecting energy into Sugano's music—a blend of lyrical imagination, gentle swing, and freewheeling vitality. With extended tracks this session is a delightful explorat…
Solo
*Limited Edition* Pianist Kunihiko Sugano unveils a collection of solo pieces, featuring shorter tracks than his trio albums of the time but brimming with emotion. Sugano's gentle and expansive piano touch, reminiscent of Bill Evans, is complemented by a unique phrasing that suggests an approach to the acoustic instrument akin to an electric one. The notes unfold with a measured attack and a lingering sustain. Sugano's distinctive style shines here offering a beautiful and individual musical jou…
The Days Of Wine And Roses
*Limited Edition* Pianist Kunihiko Sugano shines in this early album, captured in a relaxed live setting at a small Japanese club. With a conga added to his usual trio, Sugano introduces each number with introspective lyricism before the trio kicks in, showcasing majestic and soulful solos. A classic in the 70s Japanese piano style, the ensemble includes Izao Suzuki on bass, Shinji Mori on drums, and Yoichi Ogawa on congas.
Good Nature
*Limited Edition* Koichi Matsukaze is a versatile saxophone/flute player active in the Life Improvement Committee and Takeo Moriyama's group, fully demonstrates his unique flavor on this, his third leader album, including the sharp and fast "Under Construction" an understated mix of modern moments and lyrical touches, done with some especially nice vibes from Hiroshi Hatsuyama! The group's just a quartet with bass and drums, so there's lots of interplay between Matsukaze and Hatsuyama the vibes …
Totsugeki Kamikaze Tokkotai
*Limited Edition* Delve into the intensity of saxophonist Kazumi Odagiri's rare trio session on Aketa's Disk label. Odagiri's fiery solos, accompanied by bassist Koichi Yamazaki and drummer Kenichi Kaneyama, create a dynamic interplay. Tracks include a vibrant take on Freddie Hubbard's "Intrepid Fox," as well as interpretations of "Invitation," "Striped Slacks," and "When Sunny Gets Blue." This searing session epitomizes the label's rare and freewheeling spirit.
Shirasagi
*Limited Edition* Trumpeter Itaru Oki leads, but Takashi Tokuhiro's mesmerizing bass solo on "Shirasagi" steals the show. Side two transforms "You Don't Know What Love Is" into an unrecognizable, free-flowing improvisation leading to "October Revolution." Bass and trumpet, supported by percussionists Joe Mizuki and Tatsuya Nakamura, shine in this album, where standout moments redefine musical boundaries.
Mirage
*Limited Edition* Oki Itaru went to France in 1974, and recorded this album in 1977 when he temporarily returned to Japan. The group consisted of Keiki Midorikawa and Masahiko Togashi, with whom Oki had collaborated since the early days of his career, and Takashi Kako, who had befriended him in Paris. The matured musicality of the group finally reached its climax with this reunion and encounter. This is one of Oki's masterpieces, and at the same time a masterpiece that conveys the maturity of Ja…
Mo – Water Weed
Immerse yourself in the musical brilliance of percussionist Yoshisaburo "Sabu" Toyozumi's trio, featuring Mototeru Takagi on reeds and Takashi Tokuhiro on bass. The two extended improvisations on this album unfold with a delicate and quiet start, with each musician exploring small, almost private sonic spaces. Gradually, the trio builds into full interaction, leading the improvisations into fantastic directions. The careful and quiet beginnings create ample room for the music to blossom and take…
Syokugyo
Japanese nostalgia stimulates the heartstrings! The third reprint of Johnny's disc, a treasure of Japanese jazz masterpieces! The impact left by legendary folk singer Hiroshi Mikami from Aomori and pulsating jazz drummer Ryojiro Furusawa. The legendary punk rock duo's live recording is now on CD for the first time! Recorded: June 9, 1979 Rikuzentakata Civic Hall.
Smile
*Limited Edition* Hiroshi Hatsuyama's presence is invaluable in Japan's jazz vibraphone scene. His ability is evident in his achievements alone, as he has brilliantly colored the works of musicians such as Shoyuki Akutagawa, Koichi Matsukaze, Yoriyuki Harada, and Fumio Itabashi, all of whom have been difficult to dislodge from the scene. This is his first album. This is his first album, and it is a delightful work, sometimes bluesy, sometimes swingy, and filled with beautiful sounds. The "melanc…
Live: First Flight
Delight in Hiroshi Fukumura's live brilliance, where his unusual approach to the instrument shines. This quartet, featuring Hiroshi Tamura on piano, Tsutomu Okada on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums, delivers open, flowing tracks reminiscent of Japanese piano trios. Fukumura's solos, crafted like trumpet lines, boast a gritty yet lyrical power, this live session captures the essence of Fukumura's unique artistry and musical strides.
Plays Bossa Nova
Hideo Shiraki travelled to the US from Japan in 1962 and was bowled over by Horace Silver and the Bossa Nova Craze happening at the same time. When he returned to Japan he went straight into the studio and cut this Blue Note inspired Japanese Jazz Masterpiece.
With a selection of tunes ranging from the 1940's stylings of "Tico Tico" through to the samba infused "Orfeo Negro" and arriving in Silversville with "Sayonara Blues" Hideo Shiraki has hit all the sweet spots! With sleeve notes translated…
Summer Samba
Hiro Tsunoda began his career as a jazz drummer in the mid-1960s, studying under Masahiko Togashi and playing professionally in the groups of Masahiko Sato and Sadao Watanabe. In the mid-1970s, Tatsunoda played back-up for Maki Asakawa at Aketa's and hit it off with Shoyuki Akutagawa, with whom he had a series of sessions. This album is excerpted from the recordings made during this period. As Tsunoda says, "It is not unusual for one song to last 30 to 50 minutes," and the performance is thoroug…
Four Wings
The members of the Hidehiko Matsumoto Quartet, a famous combo from the 1960s, reunited for one night only. Their performance was on a grand scale, as if they were flapping their wings on four different wings, including the groovy "Speak Low" and the swinging "Four Wings".
Love In Song
Helen Merrill's masterpiece, featuring arrangements by the genius Masahiko Sato, who adds new pop tunes to jazz standards. The album is composed of a very well-balanced selection of jazz standards, including Barbra Streisand's "Reminiscence," Paul McCartney's "Love in Song," and "I Remember Clifford," dedicated to Helen's golden partner, Clifford Brown.
Maracaibo Cornpone
This is Masaaki Kikuchi's first produced work. This is a spiritual masterpiece with a floating feeling produced with superb ECM members, including the title track with its primitive rhythm and Kikuchi's pleasant electric piano.
Landscape
Fumio Kashima, a famous pianist loved by Elvin Jones and Otsuka George. This is a third album with a trio of George Murats and Motohiko Hino, which shows more vivid and lively play. Rich in colors including the comfortable explosive Landscape, refreshing Revlis and the beautiful ballad "The Fall" You can also enjoy the original Karajima songs and songs.
Elegant Evening
Elegant, but also incredibly powerful work from Fumio Karashima, exactly the kind of record that shows why he's one of our favorite Japanese jazz talents ever!
Round Midnight
Recorded over two days at the Sound Inn Studio, Tokyo in 1983. Fumio Karashima’s Round Midnight is a solid straight ahead session featuring the esteemed pianist at his prime. Featuring Ikuo Sakurai on bass, Motohiko Hino on drums and guest jazz-fusion guitarist Larry Coryell on Side B of the LP. Post bop, cool jazz with a touch of Latin-fusion courtesy of Coryell. Perfect listening for anyone looking for a well-rounded session of classic jazz standards. Fumio Karashima, born March 9, 1948 in Oit…
Moonflower
A 1978 piece composed by pianist Fumio Karashima with legendary drummer Elvin Jones. The trio with bassist Andy MacLeod will feature original songs and standards, including the title track. This is the work that gave Karashima an opportunity to become active on the world stage.