Jazz /
There Will Always Be Instruments
*50 copies limited edition* Consisting of Patrick Shiroishi on saxophone, Kevin Sims on percussion, and Lucas Brode on guitar, Spherule Trio is a (somewhat) newly formed group playing free and guided improvisational music. This debut release was recorded during the pandemic year of 2021 and, like much collaborative music recorded during that time, was put together remotely. The musicians took turns recording base tracks for each song and layering subsequent parts over the bases. In addition, one…
Murmuration Without End
Murmuration Without End is a collection of rhythmic studies by producer, composer, percussionist & multi-instrumentalist Ben Lumsdaine. Whereas the tracks began as meditative synth drones recorded by Lumsdaine when quarantined in the basement studio of his friend’s home, over time they became multi-textural, poly-rhythmic sound worlds as he disrupted the meters and pulses implied by the synths’ inherent modulations with each instrumental layer added. He also enlisted guest musicians to help him …
Rebirth of "TBM" - The Japanese Deep Jazz (Compiled by Tatsuo Sunaga)
Tip! Three Blind Mice revitalized the Japanese jazz scene during the 1970s and 1980s. Its initial mission was to proactively produce albums of new musicians. Another goal was to expand its fan base, which was done by releasing albums of famous musicians. Through these efforts, TBM has greatly contributed to enriching the Japanese jazz scene. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Isao Suzuki were two of the leading figures who gained prominence by their works on TBM. Yamamoto quickly became a star in the Japanes…
Roscoe Village (The Music Of Roscoe Mitchell)
Tuned metal percussion figures prominently in the sound universe of Roscoe Mitchell. Many of Mitchell's early compositions for the Art Ensemble of Chicago feature xylophone and tuned bells, and his immersive set-up known as The Cage arranges an array of percussed instruments in a circle around him, including all sorts of metallophones and gongs. On Roscoe Village, Chicago-based improvisor Jason Adasiewicz has transcribed and arranged a selection of Mitchell-penned pieces, performing them all on …
At Home (An NPR Tiny Desk Concert)
Svaneborg Kardyb are Nikolaj Svaneborg – Wurlitzer, Juno, piano and Jonas Kardyb – drums, percussion a multi award winning duo from Denmark, with a fast-rising international reputation and with an NPR Tiny Desk concert – number one on many artist’s wish lists - in the bag before even the release of their Gondwana Records debut album Over Tage last November. Their beautiful, exquisite compositions draw on Danish folk music and Scandinavian jazz influences, resulting in a joyful melding of beautif…
Köln – February 23, 1975
The meeting between Terry Riley the father of American Minimalism and free jazz pioneer Don Cherry. Two contemporary luminaries who always shared an ear for non Western music and philosophies. Joined here by Stein Claeson on violin and el. bass, and Bengt Berger on percussion, these two giants give us an example of deep organic music based on the full integration of various materials. A beautiful example of true extended sonic democracy.
Coastline
*Contains printed inner sleeve with archival photos and extensive liner notes by two Italian soprano saxophone specialists Roberto Ottaviano and Eugenio Colombo, and pianist Martin Joseph himself* Recorded Live in Italy in October 1985 and mastered directly from the old dusty cassette, here's a previously unheard Steve Lacy recording from a rare duo appearance with pianist Martin Joseph, a little known yet fascinating British musician who had worked with Harry Beckett, John Surman, Ian Carr, Tub…
Live In Paris, 1970
This is the one and only Rahsaan Roland Kirk caught Live in Paris in 1970 with one of his best lineups ever. A distinctive quintet featuring Ron Burton on piano, bassist Vernon Martin, drummer great Jerome Cooper, mostly known as member of the mythical Revolutionary Ensemble, and the colourful percussion work of Joe Habao Texidor. Rahsan displays a fine set list including original compositions like the anthemic "Voluntary Slavery" and a wide selection of standards, from Cole Porter to Stevie Won…
Bahia
Another one of the albums that Prestige would issue several years after it was recorded, Bahia is drawn from a couple of sessions that the iconic tenor saxophonist recorded for the label in the late 1950s, during a time in which he was exploring different genres with various players, including pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, plus drummers Jimmy Cobb and Art Taylor. The album has plenty of Trane hallmarks in the saxophone lead, and there is noteworthy contribution from trumpeter Wilbu…
Banquet of consequences
Berlin-based Banquet of Consequences is the new sextet led by double bassist Antonio Borghini. In addition to the valuable lesson of Charles Mingus, clear references to Dutch, Italian and South African jazz traditions are mixed in the group. The group's eponymous debut album oscillates between completely improvised works - a series of numbered "Dialogues" - and compositions that swing wildly between chaos and tenderness.
Enraku's Playboy Chapter 12 - The Playboy's Manual
*Limited Edition* This late '60s Japanese "Playboy Manual" features a sexy cover and a unique format. Each track begins with Japanese spoken segments from Norio Maeda, possibly on seduction, followed by groovy instrumental music. The blend of jazz and easy modes, with romping piano, blasting horns, and mod rhythms, makes it a stylish and lively record.
Jazz A Maison De Japon, Paris
*Limited Edition* Embark on a wonderful French journey with the Japanese duo of saxophonist Mototeru Takagi and pianist Takashi Kako, accompanied by the exceptional Kent Carter on bass and cello, along with Ron Pittner on drums and percussion. This performance showcases Takagi and Kako in a slightly different light, possibly influenced by the Paris ambiance. While their creativity remains modern and distinctive, there's a nuanced sentimentality in their playing, evoking a special undercurrent th…
Flash
*Limited Edition* This trio, led by drummer Motohiko Hino and featuring Masahiko Satoh on piano and Nobuyoshi Ino on bass, delivers truly unique work that transcends the typical piano trio conventions of its time. The trio breaks open the format with their creative exploration on the album. Satoh's piano work initially leans towards lyricism before expanding, while Ino's bass rolls and dips with its own beautiful sense of melody. Hino's drumming diverges far from a straight rhythm, often adding …
First Flight
*Limited Edition* This Japanese trio session from the 70s is precisely the kind of record that has us exploring this era so fervently. Filled with warm, soulful sounds, inventive changes, and engaging rhythms, the album maintains a subtle funk undercurrent without overpowering the best lyrical lines of pianist Kichiro Sugino. The trio, featuring Kishio Kitahara on bass and Mitsaki Katayama on drums, is perfectly synchronized, soaring elegantly throughout the record, living up to the "flight" in …
850113
*Limited Edition* Japanese guitarist Masayuki Takayanagi's performance in this set is bold and powerful, not entirely "angry" but striking nonetheless. His sharp-edged guitar work, reminiscent of Sonny Sharrock's experiments, avoids noise for its own sake. Balanced by Nobuyoshi Ino on bass and Hiroshi Yamazaki on percussion/drums, the trio creates a freer, fuzzier take on older guitar modes. The album's titles, numbered variations of the album's name, include four selections.
Valencia
*Limited Edition* Percussionist Masahiko Togashi collaborates with the exceptional piano accompaniment of Takashi Kako in a unique and captivating musical journey. Kako's piano work, marked by a distinctive sense of touch and tone, complements Togashi's drumming. Kako's ability to extract guitar-like sounds from the piano, characterized by an airy chromatic quality, adds a warm and poetic dimension to the moments of freer improvisation on the record. While the music remains rooted in free jazz, …
Trinity
*Limited Edition* Japanese pianist Masahiko Sato joins forces with Peter Warren on bass and Pierre Favre on drums in an enthralling collaboration. Recorded live at Studio 70 in Munich, the two expansive tracks showcase the trio's boundless creativity. Sato's piano work, reminiscent of the era's best free improvisation, occasionally channels a Cecil Taylor-like intensity, interspersed with moments of reflective pause. Favre adeptly balances restraint and bursts of energy, complementing Warren's b…
Maracaibo
*Limited Edition* Japanese drummer George Ohtsuka reunites with the Maracaibo group, creating a fusion of Latin influences on extended tracks that diverge from the smoother sounds of the contemporaneous scene. The ensemble includes Mabumi Yamaguchi on tenor and soprano sax, Tsunehide Matsuki on guitar, and Toshiyuki Sekine on Fender Rhodes. Special guest appearances by Miroslav Vitous on bass and Nana Vasconcelos on percussion and vocals add depth to the musical landscape. In contrast to other J…
Topology
*Limited Edition* Harold Land shines in this fantastic, rare Japanese album, possibly surpassing his '70s work. Pianist Makoto Tarashita leads with a strong, spiritual, and modal style, setting Land free on vibrant, imaginative solos. The ensemble, including bassist Yasushi Yoneki, drummer Mike Reznikoff, and percussionist Takayuki Koizumi, adds an organic and rhythmic richness.
Live Life
*Limited Edition* In this early 80s trio collaboration, Japanese pianist Kunihiko Sugano teams up with the legendary American drummer Jo Jones, resulting in a pleasingly traditional vibe. Sugano opts for the acoustic piano, and the album features laid-back tracks adorned with lyrical nuances. Kunihiko delivers soulful and warm solos, subtly propelled by Jo Jones' drumming expertise, while receiving solid backing from bassist Kunimitsu Inaba. The album's lengthier tracks showcase a delightful fus…