Jazz /
Magnificent Little Dudes Vol. 2
Chihei Hatakeyama, who has become a leading figure in the ambient/drone music scene in Japan, has now announced his second collaboration with jazz drummer Shun Ishiwaka. The two had been sharing the stage together in live performances since meeting on a radio show recording, and in May 2024 they released the first of a two-part series, "Magnificent Little Dudes Vol.1", and this is the second installment.This album includes the album's opening track, “M3,” featuring award-winning British cellist …
Sensational Jazz '70: Vol. 1/2
The agony of hard bop, the rise of jazz-rock, and the emergence of free jazz. The definitive live recording that captures the chaos and climax of jazz in Japan. Japan's jazz scene around 1970 is very interesting. The agony of hard bop, the rise of jazz-rock, and the emergence of free jazz. New music and values were born one after another, and chaos was reached, and up-and-coming musicians ran at a speed that shook off the meter.
This album "Sensational Jazz '70 Vol. 1/2" is famous as a live soun…
Sounds Of Sound L.T.D.
Jazz drummer and bandleader Takeshi Inomata crafted an impressive discography throughout his career, but none quite matches the brilliance and intensity of Sounds of Sound Ltd, his 1970 album featuring his regular studio band, Sound Ltd. Released during a period when the distinctions between jazz, jazz-funk, and jazz-rock were increasingly blurred, the album seamlessly delivers infectious grooves, intricate solos, and uplifting musical motifs. This sense of speed, this sense of elation. The man …
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
Originally released in 1974, this album features Kunihiko Sugano, often referred to as a piano magician, who is the sole leader remaining in TBM following the 5 Days in Jazz concert recordings sponsored by TBM. Echoes of Erroll Garner's "Genius Kuni" can be felt throughout the music.
Now reissued by the legendary "Wa-Jazz" label, TBM (Three Blind Mice), this iconic label has gained popularity in Europe, the U.S., and beyond. The long-awaited reissue of the original titles on vinyl has been exper…
Unicorn
Originally released in 1973, this jazz funk album features Steve Grossman and a lineup of exceptional musicians, appealing not only to jazz fans but also gaining significant support from the Rare Groove and DJ generation worldwide.
Now reissued by the legendary "Wa-Jazz" label, TBM (Three Blind Mice), this iconic label has gained popularity in Europe, the U.S., and beyond. The long-awaited reissue of the original titles on vinyl has been expertly remastered and cut by the renowned Bernie Grundma…
Blue City
Originally released in 1974, this is Isao Suzuki's second album, following his acclaimed debut, "Brow Up," which introduced him to the jazz world. The album features exquisite interplay with Kazumi Wataabe, showcasing a unique musical synergy that makes it a true masterpiece.
Now reissued by the legendary "Wa-Jazz" label, TBM (Three Blind Mice), this iconic label has gained popularity in Europe, the U.S., and beyond. The long-awaited reissue of the original titles on vinyl has been expertly rema…
Live In Poland
Huge tip! We present you a very special and limited edition 5-LP box - a piece of Otomo Yoshihide’s New Jazz Quintet European tour in January-February 2024. In this box you will find recordings from the band's only concerts in Poland at Pardon, To Tu in Warsaw and at NOSPR in Katowice. The recordings have been meticulously mixed and mastered for the best sound quality for you to enjoy. Otomo Yoshihide’s New Jazz Quintet visited Poland for the very first time and it felt really important to us to…
Maki
Masaru Imada's debut album, "Maki," is where it all began. Known as one of Japan's most influential pianists, Imada's career has spanned seven decades, from hard bop to fusion, with over 30 albums under his belt. "Maki" captures the essence of his powerful, emotive touch, blending fresh rhythms with beautiful melodies. The album showcases a mix of standards and originals, like the dynamic "On Green Dolphin Street," the tender "Maki" dedicated to his daughter, and the vibrant "Sea Horse." Release…
Mangekyou
Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of one of Japan's most coveted albums of the 70s, "Mangekyou" by singer-songwriter Yoshiko Sai. Produced in 1975 by Master musician Yuji Ohno, the album features Yoshiko Sai's superbly crafted songs and crystal clear voice over Ohno's lush, funky sound and breezy arrangements. A strong buzz has been growing around the album over the years and original copies now change hands for large sums of money. This is the first time "Mangekyou" is available…
Funky Best
Repressed for the first time in Limited edition. Licensed by Nippon Columbia. Issued with an obi strip.
Toki
Hidefumi Toki's 1975 album Toki offers a deeply personal journey into the realms of jazz, showcasing his expressive prowess on alto and soprano saxophones. Backed by a stellar quartet including Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Nobuyoshi Ino on bass, and Steve Jackson on drums, Toki creates a stunning sonic landscape filled with gentle, raspy tones. The album's ambiance is laidback and mellow, yet infused with a profound sense of spiritual depth reminiscent of Coltrane's work. Original compositions lik…
Mari Nakamoto III
Mari Nakamoto's third Three Blind Mice (TBM) release showcases her tender vocal style, complemented by the masterful accompaniment of Isao Suzuki on bass and Kazumi Watanabe on guitar.
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.
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!
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 …
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…
Live At Vidro '77
** 2LP version. 180 gram vinyl. Heavy sleeve and obi ** I had no idea that Ryo Fukui had left behind such a sound source. This is a completely unreleased live performance recorded on June 8, 1977. The recording was done at Sapporo's live house "Vidro" by Masataka Ito, the producer of Fukui's "Scenery" and "Mellow Dream” albums. It is exactly the performance of the Fukui Trio from that period, but at the same time, it has an overwhelming energy and freshness that is not found in studio recordings…
Wamono A to Z presents: "Blow Up" Trio - Japanese Rare Groove from the Trio Records vaults 1973-1981 (Selected by Chintam) (LP)
For this brand new chapter in the highly acclaimed Wamono series, DJ Chintam goes digging into the vaults of one of the most revered Japanese labels, Trio Records, and unearths some killer drum breaks, dope bass lines and funky horns, for an essential selection of jazz funk fusion and rare groove vibes produced on Trio between 1973 and 1981!
New Jazz In Japan
Gatefold packaging. Nobuo "Hara," whose real name is Nobuo Tsukahara, is a Japanese saxophonist who became known in 1951 with his big band, the Sharp & Flats. Together they recorded more than a hundred album during their career. Hozan Yamamoto is, for his part, a Shakuhachi player, a traditional Japanese flute, enjoying such recognition in his country that he was awarded a Living National Treasure in 2002. The first record bringing together the two musicians is a live recorded in 1967 during the…
Shirasagi
*2024 stock* "I think we've created something that can be called 'Japanese jazz.' I want to take it to the world." With these words, Oki Itaru left Japan in 1974. This album is a live recording of a concert he held just before leaving for France. The sound, which is filled with the achievements he had made up to that point and his determination for the future, is still vivid when listened to today. This album captures one of Oki's peaks.