Double Famous could be described as a 10 piece jazz band, but that doesn't tell half the story. Double Famous play what they describe as 'mukokuseki ongaku' - new wave world music or a kind of urban nomadic sound. Their music incorporates Afrobeat, Latin-Jazz, Hawaiian, Japanese traditional and just about any other form of music that takes their fancy. The group were formed by multi-instrumentalist Takuji Aoyagi, who is also leader of Little Creatures, while other members include Satoshi Kuribayashi on ukulele, Shuichiro Sakaguchi on trumpet and several percussion players. This is their fifth album, and has probably more variety than ever before, with bits of surf, 50s style musical and New Orleans music.
1. Tu Mera Main Teri Duniya Jale to Jale 2. Also Sprach Zarathustra 3. Me & Bobby McGee 4. Hot House of Omagarashid 5. O-papa- Shame and Scandal in the Family 6. A Woman is A Sometime Thing 7. Aishi no Honeymoon 8. Whirr 9. Waltz on Tuesday 10. Bikini 11. DF 12. Drum Samba 13. Fire Fire
The superb Rovo are made up by some of Japan's main players in the underground scene. These include violinist Yuji Katsui and Seiichi Yamamoto guitarist with Boredoms, plus others who have played with Yoshihide Otomo, Dub Squad, Demi Semi Quaver, Bondage Fruit, Bazooka Joe and others. They are favourites on the Japanese club and festival circuit, their music being a kind of spiritual, minimalist dance music with a wide range of influences from techno and house to jazz, Latin, progressive rock and world music. Price: £23.99
Mama! Milk are an acoustic instrumental duo, consisting of accordion player Yuko Ikoma, and contrabass player Kosuke Shimizu. Their music has been described as 'Japanese New Exotica' , original, slightly mysterious, slightly jazzy, always engaging. They perform at temples, galleries etc..and have played overseas. This is their first album for five years.
1.Kujaku 2. Antique Gold 3. Hourglass 4. The Moon 5. Intermezzo Op. 32 6. Avant Fermentation 7. Anise 8. Rosa Mundi 9. Smoky Dawn 10. Rosa Moschata 11. Two Ripples 12. Mano Seca 13. Sometime Sweet 14. Waltz, Waltz
The excellent Kuricorder Quartet have recorded a new album with various guest singers including UA, Hirofumi Suzuki (Moon Riders), Masumi Hara and Shione Yukawa. Slightly bizzarely their biggest fan overseas seems to be Iain Lee of Virgin Radio, who even went to Japan to see them play live and spent the day with them in Tokyo. This album is as good place as any to find out why. Price: £23.99
Aki Takase is a female jazz pianist who is a long time resident of Berlin, Germany, who has played with Lester Bowie, John Zorn, Joe Henderson, Evan Parkers and many others. On this extraordinary album she is joined by bassist Nobuyoshi Ino, although between them they also perform on qin (Chinese koto), gong, glockenspiel, kokyu and chanchiki. Some tracks mix jazz with Chinese traditional sounds while others are out-there avant-garde jazz. 1. Hyakka Ryouran 2. Aru Utage 3. Song for Che 4. Wagakokoro no Renaissance 5. Amanojaku 6. Biwa Rancho Ni Ari 7. Hanyu no Yado.
Trio featuring musicians from Shibusashirazu, led by tenor sax player Naohiko Kawashita, plus Daisuke Fuwa on contra bass and Futoshi Okamura on drums. More straightahead jazz than other side-Shibu projects, mostly original tunes plus covers of Albert Ayler and Clifford Jordan. 1. Neopolitan 2. Funny Life 3. Vienna 4. Ume Rock 5. Matatabi 6. New Generation. Price: £23.99
More musical mayhem from tenor sax player with Daisuke Fuwa (Shibusashirazu, on bass), Hideki Tachibana (alto sax, c melody sax) and Jun Isobe (drums). High octane jazz, with a few reflective moments. 1. Star Dust 2. Ama Gappa 3. Tachibana 4. Better Get Git in Yo' Soul 5. Dinah 6. Dust Song.
JAM are a kind of scaled down Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions featuring three of their musicians in a jazz piano trio led by Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midorin (drums) Features the vocalist/composer Jose James whose first record, (as Soil & Pimp) was released by Brownswood, the label of Giles Peterson. Tracks include Quiet Passion, Quiet Fire, Roy's Scat, New Thins, Jazzy Joint feat Jose James, Michi, Awake!, Master of The World, Identity Breaker and Crescendo. Price: £21.99
One of the main names from the Tokyo underground scene, Killing Floor are an avant garde pop jazz band under the leadership of sax player Pete Mikio Fukushima. Band line-up: Pete Mikio Fukushima (alto & soprano sax), Shinichiro Sekiguchi (trumpet), Kenta Hamano (trombone), Woody Moja (stick bass), Atsushi Nakazato (drums), Tomomi Takenoya (percussion), Daichi Ito (percussion & drums). Live album recorded in 2005. 8 tracks.1.S-Ska 2. Waltz for K 3. Gorden Elephant 4. Hurricane Sally 5. Dub Biginners 6. Nuba 7. Sea Monkey 8. Pop Up
Second album from the excellent jazz combo led by saxophonist Naruyoshi Kikuchi, who has played with Spank Happy, UA and many more. More jazz than dub, their sound recalls 60s experimental jazz of Miles Davis or Herbie Hancock, with electronics, other effects, hip-hop and breakbeats alongside saxophones, piano, bass and drums.Played a successful set at Fuji Rock Festival in 2008.
1. I've Lost my Taylor Burton 2. Koh-I-Nur 3. Orbits 4. Dispute 5. Ascent 6. Monkey Mush Down 7. Dismissing Lounge from the Limbo Price: £23.99
Superb jazz album from combo led by saxophonist Naruyoshi Kikuchi. Acoustic blend of sax, piano, trumpet, bass and drums with added electronics and 'DJ scratch' from Pardon Kimura. More jazz than dub, most tracks start off pretty slow before buiidling up nicely.
Highly touted jazz duo featuring trumpeter Yusuke Shima and pianist Shiko Ito. Each has performed on recordings and tours for a host of Japanese artits such as Lisa Ono, Ego Wrappin, UA, Miyuki Hatakeyama and Yo Hitoto. Cool and refined. 13 tracks. Price: £21.99
Experimental turntablist, guitarist and composer makes more of a rock record than his usual new jazz impro experimental ones. His backing band includes Alfred Harth (tenor sax) Tatsuro Kondo (keyboards) Mitsuru Nasuno (electric bass) and Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (drums). Otomo plays guitar and sings, while guests are Kahimi Karie, Seichi Yamamoto and Jim O'Rourke.
First album from the Piranians for 10 years, led by the excellent Pianica Maeda who has turned this 'toy' instrument into a cool solo lead instrument. This is a live album recorded in Tokyo 2006 and Sept. 2007 with their unique acoustic swing sound. The other excellent musicians are Ko Tsukamoto (guitar) Yuji Nagayama (double bass) and Manabu Sakata (drums).
Price: £17.99
Thirdiq describe themselves as a spiritual jazz, jam, electronica, soul, chillout project. Features Shota Hishiyama (original member of Soil & "Pimp" Sessions) and other top jazz musicians. Lyrics are in English on an album of mostly laid back jazz. Members are: Yukihiro Atsumi (gtr) Shota Hishiyama (key.) Masanori Amakura (dr.) Shinpei Ruike (tp.) Kenji Yoshiura (perc.) Miya (fl.) Maru (vo.) Hanah (vo.) Track listing: 1. The World is Wideopen 2. I Hear the Music 3. Beyond the Fields, Past 4. Beyond the Fields, Now 5. Beyond the Fields, Future. 6. Fragment 7. Monologue 8. Possibility 9. Tokyo 10. Break of Dawn Before...11. 4am.
Back in April and May 1979, the highly rated jazz fusion guitarist recorded with Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboards) and also producer of this album, fellow YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi on drums, Akiko Yano on keyboards and vocals, plus Yasuaki Shimizu (saxophone) and other highly rated musicians such as Shuichi 'Ponta' Murakami (drums) and Toshiyuki Honda (saxophones). Some tracks are straight jazz fusion, others an unlikely but interesting mix of fusion with YMO style electronic backing. Price: £16.99
Laid back avant garde jazz by four musicians who play with Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra, featuring guitar, trombone, trumpet, sax and other instruments. Strange and intriguing. 1. A Thing That is Not as It Has Been Used to be 2. Would you Mind being Re-animated 3. A Monk Who Reserves 4. Hankyu-rokko on the Seabed 5.Parabola Towards Death 6.Lark 7.Captain for Tetuzi Akiyama 8.On death 9.47°9'S, 126°43'W 10.Hankyu-rokko on the Seabed 11.An Excuse to Live 12. Piano
Kattei Shiyagare describe themselves as a Jazz punk band. They've been around at least 10 years but now find themselves signed to a Major and collaborating with J-pop artist Mika Nakajima. 11 tracks including jazz standards (You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to) Fiesta (Pogues) Russian folk tunes, and the title track written by Chet Baker. Price: £23.99
First solo album from highly rated avant garde jazz vocalist sings an eclectic range of songs from Astroboy to Martha (Tom Waits), All Tomorrow's Parties (Velvet Underground) to the Beatles' Blackbird and Randy Newman's, I Think it's Going to Rain Today.
Chikaramichi is a group produced, recorded and mixed by US improv and experimental musician Jim O'Rourke featuring sax player Akira Sakata plus Chris Corsano on drums and bassist Darin Gray. High quality, experimental avant garde jazz. Price: £22.99
2 CD set from the incredible Rovo, formed by Boredoms guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto. Also features Yuji Katsui on electric violin, Yamamoto playing Okinawan sanshin and Irish whistle as well as various guitars, bass, drums, various keyboards and synthesizers, and on this album from Argentina, Alejandro Franov (keyboards, sitar, sanshin) Fernando Kabusacki (guitar) and Santiago Vazquez (percussion). Delicate improvisational deeply groovy minimalist man drive trance.
Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band is the project of Shingo 'Carlos' Kanno, one of the founders of the acclaimed Orquesta de la Luz. Formed 12 years ago, this is their 11th album and based on the theme of dance and groove, and they certainly know how to kick up a storm. 11 tracks. 1 Let's Groove (original Earth Wind and Fire) 2. Can't Give you Anything (But My Love) (Sylistics) 3. Pick up the Pieces (Average White Band) Hip to Be Square (Huey Lewis) C'est La Vie (Robbie Nevil) Elegant People (Weather Report) Fly Me to the Moon (Frank Sinatra) Descarga Tropical, Enamorada, Somebody I Know (originals). Price: £23.99
First album from amazing drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaku's (also Rovo, Shibusashirazu) cross genre orchestra, also featuring trombone, pianica, sax, violin, vibraphone, marimba and more. Luscious melodies, African polyrhythms, Balkan, Latin, Arabic and Indian sounding violin.
Second album featuring two drums, trombones, violins, marimbas on an album of world styles that hint at the Middle East with improvisational passages. Fantastic, exciting stuff, brilliantly played. Price: £22.99
Latest album from the project of drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Rovo, ONJO, Shibusashirazu) is another wild excursion into a jazz, rock, improv, ethnic, club crossover world. Two drums, two violins, two trombones, plus bass and vibraphone. 12 tracks.
London based Miso Soup are four Japanese musicians who play post electro punk impro jazz rock dub- or something like that. They have long been playing well received underground gigs in London, gaining a good reputation for their improvised style, but this is their first album. Their influences from Art Ensemble of Chicago, Can, Velvet Underground, through to Toru Takemitsu and Haruomi Hosono gives a further clue to their eclectic sound. Price: £23.99
The amazing Kazutoki Umezu is one of Japan's, make that the world's, best saxophone players. A stellar player of jazz, and a truly fantastic improviser and collaborator. From his own klezmer and progressive jazz groups to playing with Ian Dury's Blockheads to collaborations with John Zorn, Lester Bowie, Marc Ribot, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Okinawan musician Tetsuhiro Daiku and Japanese shamisen player Michihiro Sato. Kiki Band is Umezu's project since 1999, based on jazz and rock, with hints of the Middle East. Powerful and dynamic a kind of scaled down version of Shibasashirazu with four members. These are Takeharu Hayakawa on bass, (Shibusashirazu, Coil) Natsuki Kido on guitar and drummer Kozo Niida (Komatcha Klezmer and many more). Recorded live at the Moers Festival in 2003. 6 tracks, 67 minutes.
Released 2005, more hard edged progressive jazz rock from the outstanding quartet led by the briliant sax player Kazutoki Umezu. 7 tracks, 40 minutes. Price: £21.99
Rovo consist of some of Japan's greatest underground musicians-electric violin player Yuji Katsui, guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (Boredoms) Yasuhiro Yoshigaki on percussion (Otomo Yoshihide, Shibusashirazu) Yoichi Okabe (percussion) Jin Harada (bass) and Tatsuki Masuko (Dub Squad). Their music is a sort of cross between dub, krautrock, techno, house, progressive and improv, in other words indefinable. Condor is a one hour suite divided into three parts, Aires, nPopo and Land. Strange, weird, magnificent.
Since they were formed in 1995 Rovo has combined the talents of musicians who have had track records and success with a number of different outfits. Guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (Boredoms) bassist Jin Hara (Bazooka Joe), keyboards Tatsuki Masuko (Dub Squad). In more recent years drummer/percussionist Yoichi Okabe (the Thrill, keyboards Hiroshi Nakanishi (Dub Squad), drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Otomo Yoshide) and violinist Yuji Katsui, who has become the band's producer and leader. Their music blends hypnotic rhythms, dub with psychedelia and the group have garnered a reputation for their live shows. Mon was released in 2004 afterwhich Nakanashi departed the band. Price: £23.99
Jyoji Sawada has been involved in a number of different areas of music and styles, but always seems to be involved in something, challenging and of high quality. These include Brazilian music with his group Choro Club, Arto Lindsey, Jacques Morelebaum, Chinese music with erhu player Teresa Wong, producing shamisen players Toru Yonaha (Okinawa) and Masahiro Nitta (Japan) electronics and soundtracks. This is an album of Sawada's 'chamber music' from 1995. At times, slow and reflective, other times manic and weird, constantly engaging the listener. Includes a version of Pink Floyd's One of These Days, played on shakuhachi and koto.
Amazing solo album from the eccentric, eclectic cello player, who won many fans when touring in 2000 in Europe with Cicala Mvta, especially for his cello electric saw routine. Avant-garde, unclassifiable, constantly challenging and recommended. Hiromichi uses various electronic effects and voices to create some stunning music. Price: £23.99
Much championed by Giles Peterson, on his BBC Worldwide programme, Soil & "Pimp" Sessions is an explosive jazz band of six musicians; Shacho (agitator, spirit), Tabuzombi (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midoryn (drums). At its core, the group is about giving pulsating live performances. Soil and "Pimp" Sessions combine the highest musicianship with the coolest of cool sounds and atmosphere. Their brand of jazz is rough around the edges, unadulterated entertainment and constantly kept at boiling point. In 2003 they had no commercial recordings available, yet that year on reputation alone were invited to perform at Japan's premier festival, Fuji Rock. It was a defining moment, lapped up by those lucky enough to witness it, hugely praised and one of the major talking points of the entire festival. The group defies boundaries and genres, attracting listeners of jazz, club and rock. Pimp Master is their their first full album.
The amazing Shibusashirazu was formed by a bassist, Daisuke Fuwa, in 1989. Their music and performance is certainly unique, being a concoction of different art forms. A free jazz orchestra, with over twenty musicians from the cream of Japan's avant garde and experimental jazz scene, plus butoh dancers, theatre actors and artists. They also sometimes incorporate traditional Japanese instruments alongside westen ones such as shamisen and shakuhachi. Their dynamic shows have excited audiences in Japan and Europe, with ellaborate stage objects and dragons adding to the visual delight. This is a welcome best of compilation taking tracks from their extensive discography to give a flavour of their remarkable development and sound. Price: £23.99
First studio album since 1995's "Be Cool". 30 piece brass, violin, guitar, percussion group are joined by three members of the Sun Ra Arkestra- on alto sax Marshall Allen, trumpeter Michael Ray and percussionist Elson Nascimento. The result is a stunning kaleidoscopic wall of sound, screaming saxes, manic drumming, percussion, and wailing guitars, that ebbs and flows between just the slightly odd and pure mayhem. Fantastic stuff.
Fedayien is a kind of scaled down version of Shibusashirazu. The group features the same musicians, Naohiro Kawashita, (soprano and tenor saxes, violin) Daisuke Fuwa (bass) and Shiro Onuma (drums) plus the Shibusa horns, Kazu Nakahara on guitar plus Butoh dancers. This album was recorded live at the Moers New Jazz Festival '96. Four extraordinary tracks. 1. Umi 2. Dava Dava Daba 3. Capplypso 4. Fuwarumba Price: £23.99
Studio album from 2000 featuring the 3 Fedayiens Naohiro Kawashita (saxes, violin) Daisuke Fuwa (bass, effects) Shirou Onuma (drums) plus guests Keisuke Ohta (violin) Shunji Yamamoto (flute) Kazutoki Umezu (alto sax) and Kouichi Yamazaki (bass). Free jazz meets grunge like rock plus some quiter moments. 1. River-Umi 2. Ume Rocko 3. Neopolitan 4. Capplyso 5. River Space 6. Toki.
Sixteen of Japan's most innovative musicians, under the leadership of 'Rocket Matz', get together on a new project. Pianica, mandolin, accordion, piano, flute, electric guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, violin, recorder, cello, trumpet, saxophone, drums, plus some wacky saw, various toys and hoses, playing almost indefinable music; jazz, improvised, roots, rock- including brilliant version of Jonathon Richmans 'Egyptian Reggae' and a song paying tribute to the Meters. Mostly slow to mid tempo with a couple of fiery moments. Price: £23.99
Latest album from the extraordinary Pascals who performed at WOMAD in Reading UK in 2006. The 15 piece group play a range of instruments including ukuleles, cello, violins, toy pianos, as well as drums, bass and percussion. The group are led by Rokket Matsu on accordion and pianica and take their influence (and name) from French composer Pascal Comelade. Their music is an avant-garde blend of rock, jazz, polka, waltzes and downright weirdness.
Salle Gaveau are led by the brilliant guitarist Natsuki Kido and play a sort of tango meets experimental rock and jazz. Supported by violin, accordion, contrabass and piano, they play Piazzolla inspired tunes, with bits of wacky distorted guitar, very fast at times, all musicians displaying some amazing dexterity on their instruments. Price: £21.99
Yoichiro Yanagihara is a vocalist, pianica player and songwriter. On this album he is joined by guitarist Natsuki Kido (also mandolin), Hirohiko Otsubo on bass, recorder, ukulele and Kumiko Takara on vibraphone, drums and percussion. The album has a laid back feel, somewhere between jazz and folk with a retro ambience running through it, with passages of experimentalism and offbeat sounds. Rather weird and rather good. Comes in long digipack.
New album from the brilliant Yasuaki Shimizu and Saxophonettes, based on the pentatonic (five note) scale, creating a sensuous, vaguely nostalgic sound. Shimizu wrote these tunes about two years ago in Italy, then spent about one year rehearsing and perfecting them with his band. Fifteen tracks including Dolomiti Spring, the Asian folk inspired Yoiitokosassa, and his arrangement of a traditional Ethiopian song, Tew Semagn Hagere that includes a rare vocal performance from Shimizu. Probably his best album since the Bach Cello Suites. Superb. Price: £23.99
Shimizu's interpretations of Bach's cello suites have been some of our best selling titles for several years. Spiraling, buoyant, invigorating recorded in six inspired locations. Now both albums, Cello Suites 1,2,3 and 4,5,6 are reissued as a two CD set. 36 tracks.
Amazing recording of Bach's music, performed on solo saxophone. Price: £23.99
Saxophone player's interpretation of Bach, recorded down a Japanese mine and at North Italian villas.
Yoshiki Sakurai on electric and acoustic guitars, Genichi Tamura on Weissenborn and pedal steel guitar, Satoshi Harada on banjo and Takayoshi Matsunaga make up the string quartet Lonesome Strings. Influences range from blues, bluegrass, jazz, Hawaiian to African music, led by the exceptional Sakurai. Superb.
Price: £23.99
Brilliant second album by stringed instrument quartet includes compositions by Astor Piazzolla and Charly Patton as well as more obscure and original compostions. From blues to Hawaiian, the mellow to frantic, varied and always top quality musicianship.
Another excellent album from the group led by guitarist Yoshiki Sakurai, together with fellow guitarists and stringed instrument pickers, Genichi Tamura on Hawaiian guitars, Satoshi Harada on banjo and bassist Takayoshi Matsunaga. More of the country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, Hawaiian influenced tunes and covers of CSNY and Keith Jarrett. Price: £23.99
Three of the main characters from jazz/experimental/improv scene and fourth in the series of live albums featuring American guitarist Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth), sax player Akira Sakata and on this recording Yoshimi from Boredoms. Recorded live in 2006 and edited by O'Rourke. A bit different from the free jazz sessions previously, instead each instrument is given a chance to shine within a kind of mysterious atmosphere. 5 tracks. 1. Dancing Sea Lions 2. A Vessel on Foggy Night 3. Hagyo- Hukuwa-Uchi 4. Water Pipes Burst in the Cold Weather 5. Mother and Who?
Another album from avant garde experimenters from Japan and America. Guitarist Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth) and saxophone player Akira Sakata. The first part of their 2 day concert in Tokyo was released as 'Oyobare / Tetrodotoxin' (FSD2832)). This is the second part with studio effects added in New York. Chris Corsano (drums), Darin Gray (bass) and Manabu Sakata (drums) guest. Three tracks, Eddy Bear (16:22) Bachelor of Divinity (15:45) and Tombouctou (27:05). Price: £23.99
Two giants of the experimental avant garde scenes from America and Japan get togther. Guitarist Jim O'Rourke is known as a member of Sonic Youth but has been involved in jazz ambient rock and everything in between. His many collaborators include, Henry Kaiser, Eddie Prevost, Keith Rowe and Faust. Saxophone player Akira Sakata has played with Bill Laswell, and Japanese musicians including DJ Krush, taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi and minyo singer Takio Ito. He also plays with his own trio, Sakata Akira mii. Tetrodotoxin features a mixture of Japanese and American musicians on bass, drums and tabla. Recorded live in Tokyo with added studio effects.
'If I were asked, what is your most memorable record? I'd reply without hesitation, regardless of any particular memory,that it's 'Out to Lunch' by Eric Dolphy's quintet, from Blue Note' so writes Otomo Yoshihide in the excellent liner notes- in English- to this album by Onjo, Otomo Yoshide's New Jazz Orchestra. The group includes Otomo on guitar, Axel Dorner on trumpet, Aoki Taisei on trombone and bamboo flute, Tsugami Kenta on sax, Sachiko M on sinewaves and contact mic, Nakamura Toshimaru on no-input mixing board plus piano, bass and vibraphone. Out there in all the right places. Price: £22.99
Naruyoshi Kikuchi is a multi-talented saxophone player, arranger, composer and writer. He is known for working in mainly the avant-garde jazz and club music scene. He was a founding member of Tipographica and has played with Yosuke Yamashita, Urban Sax and Spank Happy. This is his collaboration album with the wonderful female singer UA. Half of the 12 tracks are originals, the other half covers. The tunes you might know include Night in Tunisia and Over the Rainbow, but are performed probably like nothing you've heard before. UA started off singing jazz at night clubs in Osaka, so she seems well at home here.
Known for thier effervescent 'Samurai Jazz' PE'Z was formed in 1999 by Ohyama BMW Wataru. They soon gained a reputation for their energetic live shows, released a few albums on an indie label before being snapped up by a major. They went on to win a few awards and achieved the rare feat of getting an instrumental album into the national Top 10. They toured and had their previous album released to much acclaim in Europe. This is probably their best to date though, dynamic versions of quintessentially Japanese tunes. Enka, minyo, old popular, children's songs and the theme tune to Akira Kurosawa's film 'Yojimbo' are all given the Pe'z samurai jazz treatment. 1.Yojimbo 2.Rinken no Michi 3.Ginza Kankan Musume 4.Yukiguni 5.Dontaku 6.Omocha no Cha Cha Cha 7.Soran Bushi 8.Tomodachi 9.Koharu Obasan 10.Hana 11.Mizuiro no Ame 12.Mata Au Himade Price: £23.99
2 CD set 32 tracks from the five piece samurai jazz group fronted by Ohyama BMW Wataru. Pe'z are made up of mostly jazz session players, and have become particularly popular with a hip Shibuya crowd and festival goers in Japan who appreciate their energetic live shows. Disc 1 - Dayside has tracks including Live for the Groove, Paradise a Go Go, Blank-Dunk. Disc 2 - Nightside includes Marmalade Jam, Laura, The Spiker and Delicious Sandwich.
First volume of the live anthology by the superb Strada, mixing guitars, clarinet, saxes, tuba, recorder, banjo, mandolin and drums. Mostly recorded at Kichijoji's 'Manda-la 2', the material ranges from Duke Ellington, traditional and original pieces. Naturally, brilliant stuff. Price: £23.99
Second volume of live anthology starts off with their trademark tune, 'Misoreta Hana'. Recordings date from 1995 to 2000. Five brilliant tracks.
Weird and excellent instrumental psychedelic world mix of guitars and brass. Price: £23.99
One horn quartet formed by Takumi Ito saxophone player of acclaimed electronic/impro trio Tsuki no Wa. Electronica, impro-jazz, minimalist, noise effects. 8 tracks. 1. Animus Quo 2. Saltus 3. Maud 4. Remember 5. It's You or No One 6. Topos 7. Convertible 8. Bar
Yoshihiro Hanno is a much respected musician, including outside of Japan. His music combines elements of free jazz , electronica, hip hop and other styles into an original brand of avant-garde music. This fantastic new album features 10 new tracks of his electronica / jazz sound featuring seven singers including Haruomi Hosono, Miu Sakamoto, Yoshie Nakano from Ego Wrappin', Hanaregumi (Takashi Nagazumi) and Ikuko Harada (Clammbon). Price: £23.99
Typically unique double CD from the superb Off Note label. Recorded in Okinawa, CD 1 titled 'radio emigre' features somewhat strained singing accompanied by guitar, oud, saxophone, contrabass and drums in slow, plaintive, dramatic compositions, and a few up-tempo, shuffling tunes. CD 2 is slightly more stripped down but in similar vain with some wild improvised tunes on saxophone.
Fantastic 2CD retrospective album of group that featured some brilliant musicians, including Wataru Ohkuma (clarinet) Takero Sekijima, (tuba, recorder) and Yoshiki Sakurai (guitar) all of Cicala Mvta, plus Kanji Nakao (sax) and many others. From the superb Off Note label, the usual fantastic instrumental acoustic fare that they do so brilliantly. Great musicianship, infectious, original music. Price: £26.99
One of the most fascinating music scenes in Japan, is the jazz/chidon/brass/world scene, from groups such as Compostella, Cicala Mvta, Strada, Tsurureko Sachu, Odun and others. This double CD is a welcome addition to that catalogue, by two musicians who have featured on recordings by the pre-mentioned artists. Strange but fascinating stuff, from saxophone and clarinet players, doubling up on piano, drums and more, and joined by guitar, bass, metronone, glokenspiel and other instruments. Constantly surprising and compelling.
Bass player Takayoshi Matsunaga has been one of the unchampioned mainstays of the Japanese alternative music scene for many years. Best known for his work with dub pioneers Mute Beat, he's played with a host of musicians including Takashi Hirayasu and Strada. Guests on this excellent album are Hideo Inoura (drums) ex. Makoto Kubota & Yuyake Gakudan, Sandii and the Sunsetz, Akihiro Okachi (perc) ex. .Bo Gumbos, Genichi Tamura (steel guitar) from Little Tempo, Yoshiki Sakurai (guitar) of Strada, Emerson Kitamura (keyboards) ex.Mute Beat and vocalist Carmen Maki. Price: £22.99
Mix of instrumental music from Greece, Ireland and Japan, from fast to slow numbers.Excellent.
Freylekh Jambore are another of Japan's excellent Klezmer/Balkan/brass bands. Jewish, Turkish, Russian, Gypsy and even Bhangra sounds are tunes and influences are mixed together on clarinet, trumpet, trombone, sax, violin, accordion, tuba and drums. Price: £21.99
Asa Chang's day job is as a top session percussionist, and a tabla player in his spare time. That hobby however, has blossomed into some fine esoteric music that is without comparison. Together with Hidehiko Urayama and U-Zhaan, he creates a strange brew of clanging and banging, interspersed with Indian percussive singing, talking, singing in English, electronics, trumpets, sound effects, the only constant element being tablas in there somewhere. Listen with open ears. Also to be released outside of Japan, this is the superb quality packaging Japanese version.
Ukuleles, banjos, saxes, clarinets, harmonicas, accordions, combine with a variety of percussion instruments in a compelling world instrumental mixture of traditional Japanese, Chinese, Russian and original compositions. High quality musicianship, challenging and absorbing music. Price: £23.99
If you enjoyed Cicala Mvta, Orquesta Bore or Tetsuhiro Daiku albums with brass accompaniment, you should also enjoy this. Features tuba player Takero Sekijima of Cicala Mvta, Daiku's band and a host of other great CDs. Japanese jazz brass, but with the quirkiness we have come to expect.
Jazz vocalist who has chosen a fascinating repertroire of songs and great musicians to work with., From Hoagy Carmichael's "Hong Kong Blues" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" to Nenes "Kogane no Hana" and Soul Flower/Heatwave's "Mangetsu no Yube". Atmospheric live recording featuring Keisuke Ohta on violin and Takero Sekijima on tuba and recorder of Cicala Mvta. Price: £23.99
An entire album of recorders, but when the quartet includes Takero Sekijima of Cicala Mvta/Tetsuhiro Daiku Band/Orquesta Bore and others, it's not as simple as it might sound. The tunes include those by Burt Bacharach, John Dowland but mostly by the group's leader Masaki Kurihara.
Latest album from the Kurikorder Quartet who play various recorders ranging from high to low featuring the wonderful Takero Sekijima (Cicala Mvta and others) and Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi (Cicala Mvta). Accompanied by mellophone, percussion, guitar, tuba and trumpet, 10 entertaining, highly original tracks. The group have become a cult hit on the London radio station LBC, with their presenter Iain Lee. This CD features the video clip that Iain loves so much Ojisan no Juikagetsu, as well as the actual music track that you listen to as a sound sample. Price: £22.99
Recorded live at Manda-La 2 in Kichijoji over 5 nights for the group's 10th anniversary. The unique quartet playing recorders and other instruments, Masaki Kurihara (recorder, pianica, andes25, Mellophone) Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi (recorder, soprano saxophone, harmonica, bodhran, caxixi, samba) Kenji Kondo (recorder, acoustic guitar, ukulele) Takero Sekijima (recorder, tuba, trumpet). CD 1. Umi o Wataru Kaze (Takero Sekijima) 2. Baby You're My Destiny (Taj Mahal) 3. Avarandado (Caetano Veloso) 4. Kemuri (Takero Sekijima) 5. Hei Lassie (Trad. Bulgarian) 6.Mo Hitori no Hakase 7. Hawaiian Wedding Song (Charles E King) 8. El Derecho de Vivir en Paz (Victor Jara) 9. Kutsuya no Maruchin (Takero Sekijima) 10. La Partida (Charley Patton) CD2. 1. Kataguruma no Ground ni Yoru Henso (Masami Kurihara) 2. An English Country Garden (Trad.) 3. Wynken Blynken and Nod (Donovan) 4. A Sunny Day (Donovan) 5. Nellie the Elephant (Peter Hart) 6. Nakunai yo Snowman (Kenji Kondo) 7. This is Halloween (Daniel Elfman) 8. Kiyeta Kanidoraku (Masami Kurihara) 9. Maya to Ita Kisetsu (Masami Kurihara) 10. Long Odds (English trad) 11. Double Lead Through (English Trad.) 12. Wonderful Day Theme (Masami Kurihara) plus CD extra 1. Mayonaise Dai Ni Ban. 2. Member Shokai 3. Orion Beer.
Compilation of ukulele tracks the Kuricorder Quartet have recorded for various albums and new recordings. These include for Ukulele Elvis, Ukulele Beatles, Ukulele Lennon, Ukulele Star Wars, plus covers of Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Deep Purple. Price: £22.99
Give any recorder to the Kurikorder Quartet, long (tenor) , short (alto) very long(great bass) or very short (soprano) put them together and against the odds they sound great. What every junior school player can only dream of. The musicians are of the highest pedigree, they add the occasional guitar or bouzoki and enjoy a cult following.
Excellent four piece unit, featuring electric guitar, alto saxophone, oud and drums,recorded live in Okinawa. Folk/jazz mix. Price: £23.99
Strange, but interesting album of folk/avant garde jazz songs, featuring Fuchigami's soft and screaming vocals, plus piano, contrabass, melodeon and the clarinet and sax of Wataru Ohkuma of Cicala Mvta.
Excellent compilation album featuring the best of the current crop of the very innovative Japanese jazz musicians operating in Japan and overseas. From hip, club influences to more straight ahead performances, this album is a great taster of the Japanese jazz underground. Artists include Yoshiaki Masuo (on guitar) and a stunning violin version by Naoko Terai of Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island". Comes with informative English liner notes. Price: £23.99
Six solo tracks and eight with various guests including Tetsuhiro Daiku, in music ranging from Jazz to Asian.
Features Irish and Japanese traditional tunes with Korean and Okinawan elements, from interanationally reknowned jazz guitarist. Price: £23.99
Jazz pianist and Okinawan Tetsuhiro Daiku in session. Traditional and original compositions.
Solo sax recordings in Okinawan locations. Price: £23.99
Reissued album by superb contrabass player. Saito plays songs including 'Contrabajeando' written by Astor Piazzolla and Troilo plus diverse material including Bach, Brazilian, Mongolian Okinawa and Korean tunes.
Free jazz bass player, recorded during France tour with French musicians, Alain Joule and Michel Doneda. Price: £23
