Review: Following on from their release of Graham Collier's outstanding performance from Stockholm Jazz Days in 1969, thoughtfully curated label My Only Desire turn their attention to Brit Jazz with a new series of 7" records shining a light on less-heralded talents. Kevin Figes is a saxophonist, flutist and composer who has previously played with the likes of Keith Tippett and released an album on Pig Records in 2021. Here, he's playing with a full band line-up including Riaan Vosloo on bass, Tony Orrell on drums, Jim Blomfield on piano, Raphael Clarkson on trombone and Peter Judge on trumpet. The two pieces - one composed by Elton Dean and the other by the aforementioned Tippett - are a fine tribute to the legacy of British jazz.
Review: The always busy Record Store Day 2024 release schedule has turned up another pearler here as Ann Young and Yuki Ohno Trio's 'Speak Low' gets a special reissue on 7" courtesy of Nippon Colombia. 'Speak Low' is a cut that showcases Young's expressive vocal style in all its glory as it implodes and explodes over 100-mile-an-hour double bass and light, airy triages, hi-hats and feathery drums. On the flip is another standout vocal jazz cut 'On Green Dolphin Street' that makes this an essential cop.
Review: Brownswood Recordings return to focus on Yussef Dayes and co. for their latest release. Live At Joshua Tree is Dayes' latest live album, capturing the jazz musician and drummer's stellar live performance while posted up slap-bang in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. With the music canopied by this natural desert amphitheater, the sound of the album is fittingly warm and dry, catching the tones of every instrumentalist to a muted, temperate T: there's bass from Rocco Palladino, sax by Malik Venna, keys by Elijah Fox and percs by Alexander Bourt. Make sure to catch the live video version of the album on YouTube.
Review: Made up of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba's live sessions held in Tokyo in November 2016 and the following February 2017, Pneuma consists of valuable recordings that had only been released in high-resolution format for distribution; the record is now finally released in vinyl format here on P-Vine. The first performance in January featured Tatsuhisa Yamamotoon on drums and the second in February made up a quartet formation with the addition of bassist Hitoshi Watanabe. The two ultra-talented musicians provide us a glimpse into how the music of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba is made and this record breathes into their practice a new life.
Review: The celebration of this series continues with a reissue of the second installment of the legendary Christmas salsa album. Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe returned here to bring the unique sounds that made Volume I a Latin music classic. For this one, Colon and Lavoe were joined by renowned cuatro player Yomo Toro and legendary percussionists Milton Cardona and Jose Mangual Jr. Together, they crafted salsa versions of beloved Puerto Rican Christmas songs while mixing traditional musica jibara with Cuban guaguanco, son montuno and African-American jazz. It delivers on all fronts with vibrant, festive blends that bring real Puerto Rican authenticity to salsa fans worldwide.
Review: Those interested in Japanese cartoons should know Space Adventure Cobra. First broadcast in 1982, it is now considered one of the country's finest animated TV series. This triple-vinyl box set celebrates Kentano Haneda and Yuji Ono's music from the series, combining compositions featured on the show with unheard extended versions and tracks that never made the cut first time round. Musically, it's a mix of Japanese disco, sax-sporting lounge jazz, jazz-funk, neo-classical movements and eccentric interludes, all doused in layers of cosmic dust and stargazing colour. The release also comes packaged with a 12-page booklet telling the story of the series and the making of the appealing, endlessly entertaining soundtrack.
Review: In 2002, the Japanese government recognized bamboo flute maestro Hozan Yamamoto as a "living national treasure". It was in honor of his lengthy career in music, and in particular the way he championed a traditional Japanese instrument even when he was turning his hand to Western music. "Beautiful Bamboo Flute", an album first released in 1971 and almost impossible to find since, is a superb example of this. It sees him deliver haunting, emotional and life-affirming solos over funky jazz, big band and fusion backing tracks that tend towards the fresh and funky. It's an unusual blend, but also an invigorating and exciting one.
Review: An overlooked spiritual classic in two parts, Yamash'ta & The Horizon were a one-off project consisting of a hat-trick of musicians seeking to perfect their craft. In 1971, Hideakira Sakurai, Masahiko Satoh, Stomu Yamash'ta and Takehisa Kosugi gathered in Japan to perform an invite-only concert to a handful of friends. Deep and distinctive electric shamishen becomes a sonic centrepiece over the course; handled by Sakurai, the sound is haunting, like a lone voice amidst a sea of percussive nymphs. Sloshing koto, percussion and eruptions of awe from the crowd all dominate the moments of downtime; a timeless snapshot of Fluxus Japan.
Oki Itaru Trio/Ono Yuji Trio / Kasai Kimiko - "Theme Of The Unknown People" (12:03)
Review: This remarkable live jazz workshop brings together the talents of Yosuke Yamashita, Itaru Oki, Yuji Ohno and Kimiko Kasai for an unforgettable listen. Recorded in 1970 as part of Victor's "Japanese Jazz" series, this album showcases three powerful trios-Yamashita, Oki, and Ohno-with vocalist Kasai and each artist contributes their own unique style. Yamashita led the scene with his vibrant playing, Oki brought fresh perspectives from Osaka, Ohno's versatility spanned modern to new jazz and Kasai's vocal prowess was just beginning to bloom at this time. Together, the seven artists create a dynamic two-disc trip that is full of the famous originality and intensity of Japanese jazz.
Theme Of Lupin III, II (Blues Harp version) (2:03)
Happening 1 (3:28)
Theme Of Lupin III, II (Ending version) (1:13)
Afro Lupin '68 (instrumental version) (1:06)
Lightning Time & Lighting Time After (3:04)
Guitar Suspense (2:18)
Yeah! Lupin & Action Lupin (1:30)
Lyrical Disturbance (2:57)
Lupin Walkin' (TV original) (2:30)
Happening 2 (2:56)
Theme Of Lupin III, II (Ending instrumental version) (1:23)
Review: With roots that date back to 1967, when Weekly Manga Action magazine decided to take a punt on a new character, master thief Lupin III, grandson of gentleman robber Arsene Lupin, and his criminal gang, Takeo Yamashita and Otomo Yoshihide's collaborative soundtrack has cult status written all over it. While not made to accompany the core Lupin III series, the music here featured on the critically acclaimed Lupin Zero, a saga that takes us back to the early years of the protagonist - a young boy opening the door on a life of crime in mid-1960s Japan. On record, that sounds like a flamboyant and intoxicatingly heady brew of jazz, psychedelic rock, electronic experimentation and pure groove. As vivid as both the original printed cartoons and the subsequent screen adaptations that continued the legacy.
Review: Unlike previous instalments in the 180g label's Wamono series, this isn't a compilation in the strictest sense of the term, but rather a retrospective. It showcases a range of killer jazz-funk and rare groove tunes recorded at Nippon Columbia studios in the mid 1970s by arranger Kiyoshi Yamaya, koto legend Toshiko Yonekawa and shakahuchi master Kifu Mitsuhashi. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the mellow, slow-burn lusciousness of 'Nanbu Ushioi-Uta' and the up-beat, guitar solo-laden brilliance of 'Hohai-Bushi', to the all-time Japanese jazz-funk classic that is 'Saitaro-Bushi' and the solo-laden brilliance of 'Asadoya Yunti', whose dazzling Fender Rhodes solos are reminiscent of the early '70s work of the late, great Billy Preston.
What A Little Moonlight Can Do - Tsuki No Itazura (2:06)
East Of The Sun - Taiyo No Higashi No Shima De (8:45)
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (0:21)
Cry Me A River (5:45)
Namida Koi (3:34)
Mr Something Blue (3:17)
Kojo No Tsuki (3:02)
Funauta (4:28)
Bei Mir Bist Du Schon - Suteki Na Anata (0:33)
Ai No Shuchaku Eki (0:41)
Hana Suisen (6:14)
Honne (10:42)
Review: Aki Yashiro's album Yashiro Aki to Suteki Na Shinshi no Ongakukai: Live in Quest captures the essence of her enchanting stage performances. This live recording is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Yashiro's signature blend of traditional and contemporary styles, her stunning vocal range and emotive delivery. The album features a world of elegant melodies all thanks to a skilled ensemble that enhances the overall experience. Each track is musically vibrant but allows Yashiro's charisma to shine and the live setting adds an authentic energy that makes this an all the more unique listen.
Review: Song of Island is a private press album that very few people knew about. It is the third long player from pianist Yasuhiro Kohno's trio (he started his career as a member of Japanese rocker Eikichi Yazawa's band) and was recorded live at the jazz club and live house 'Again' in August 1985. This is the first time the album has ever been reissued before and captures a special time in Japanese jazz when it was all about exemplary acoustics performed live by skilled musicians. There is one take on a classic jazz standard here as well as four original pieces.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.