Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Yuji Ohno's live performance in Tokyo captures the essence of his musical legacy with fresh intensity. Leading a 54-piece ensemble, Ohno brings his iconic compositions to life, weaving jazz improvisations with cinematic flair. The orchestration adds a new dimension, turning familiar tracks into vibrant experiences. Each note feels purposeful, with emotional depth that engages both the mind and the heart. This performance is a compelling reminder of Ohno's enduring influence and his ability to breathe new life into his timeless music.

Review: Taeko Onuki's latest release is a live album pressed up to vinyl and capturing her full performance from Tokyo in November 2023. The show featured a seven-piece band with Hirokazu Ogura on guitar, Masato Suzuki on bass, Takashi Numazawa and Tatsuo Hayashi on drums, Febien Reza Panet on piano, and Toshiyuki Mori and Shohei Amamori on keyboards. This album showcases Onuki's dynamic performance with a talented ensemble and a rich array of sounds from the original multi-tracks. It's a great snapshot of the event as well as being a superb contemporary pop exploration across four sides of vinyl.

Review: Five years after 'Jam Ka 2.5 The Tokyo Session,' Japan's renowned jazz guitarist Yosuke Onuma is releasing his first solo guitar album. Known for his genre-blending style that bridges jazz, world music and global sounds, Onuma returns with a new album after a five-year hiatus. His career began with the debut album 'Nu Jazz' in 2001 which showed his versatility across various musical influences. Recently, his 'Jam Ka Project' has gained recognition for blending French Caribbean grooves with modern jazz. This album features carefully selected pieces composed by Onuma between 'Jam Ka' in 2010 and the pre-pandemic period.

Review: Amghar: The Godfather Of Tuareg Music Vol 1 by Abdallah Oumbadougou is a superb trip into the heart of the ever fascinating sound of Tuareg music. Oumbadougou, revered as the godfather of this rich musical tradition, delivers a spellbinding collection of tracks that showcase his mastery of desert blues. Each composition is a testament to the deep cultural heritage and spiritual resonance of Tuareg music. They blend hypnotic rhythms, intricate guitar work and haunting vocals all with a melancholic and seductive feel from the soul-stirring chants of 'Afrikya' to the infectious energy of 'Tabsiq Dalet'. This album transports listeners to the vast landscapes of the Sahara, evoking a profound sense of wanderlust and timeless beauty as it does so.

Review: The Alternate Blues presents a standout gathering of three iconic trumpeters - Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Clark Terry - alongside jazz luminaries like Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, and Bobby Durham. Recorded in 1980, this album captures the essence of a classic jam session, showcasing the musicians' virtuosity and camaraderie. The slow blues jams on this album, each exceeding eight minutes, allow the players ample space to explore and express themselves. Despite the relaxed pace, the performances are emotionally charged, drawing listeners into the heart of the blues tradition. Granz's decision to release alternate takes adds a layer of authenticity, capturing the spontaneity and energy of the sessions. Highlights include Hubbard's soulful rendition of 'Here's That Rainy Day' and the stellar ballad medley featuring all three trumpeters. The interaction between the musicians is seamless, resulting in a cohesive and stunning recording. In sum, The Alternate Blues is a bookmark for jazz aficionados, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process of three legendary trumpeters.

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.