Jazz & Improvisation / All styles

*Limited Edition* Album released in 1977 by Japanese jazz pianist Kunihiko Sugano, who started playing in a trio with Isao Suzuki and George Otsuka in the early 1960s and recorded the classic album Blow Up with the aforementioned two and Takashi Mizuhashi on Three Blind Mice in 1973. Recorded live in Date City, Hokkaido in 1976 as a trio with Osamu Kawakami and Hiroshi Murakami. The air from the venue was recorded to give a realistic impression, and standard numbers such as Luiz Bomfa's A1, whic…

*Limited Edition* Immerse yourself in the charm of a Japanese piano trio session, elevated by the rhythmic enchantment of conga player Yohichi Ogawa. The trio, featuring Kunihiko Sugano on piano, Eizoh Honda on bass, and Teruhiko Takada on drums, takes on a sweet and dynamic quality. Ogawa's conga rhythms add a distinctive flair, injecting energy into Sugano's music—a blend of lyrical imagination, gentle swing, and freewheeling vitality. With extended tracks this session is a delightful explorat…

*Limited Edition* Pianist Kunihiko Sugano unveils a collection of solo pieces, featuring shorter tracks than his trio albums of the time but brimming with emotion. Sugano's gentle and expansive piano touch, reminiscent of Bill Evans, is complemented by a unique phrasing that suggests an approach to the acoustic instrument akin to an electric one. The notes unfold with a measured attack and a lingering sustain. Sugano's distinctive style shines here offering a beautiful and individual musical jou…

*Limited Edition* Pianist Kunihiko Sugano shines in this early album, captured in a relaxed live setting at a small Japanese club. With a conga added to his usual trio, Sugano introduces each number with introspective lyricism before the trio kicks in, showcasing majestic and soulful solos. A classic in the 70s Japanese piano style, the ensemble includes Izao Suzuki on bass, Shinji Mori on drums, and Yoichi Ogawa on congas.

*Limited Edition* Koichi Matsukaze is a versatile saxophone/flute player active in the Life Improvement Committee and Takeo Moriyama's group, fully demonstrates his unique flavor on this, his third leader album, including the sharp and fast "Under Construction" an understated mix of modern moments and lyrical touches, done with some especially nice vibes from Hiroshi Hatsuyama! The group's just a quartet with bass and drums, so there's lots of interplay between Matsukaze and Hatsuyama the vibes …

*Limited Edition* Delve into the intensity of saxophonist Kazumi Odagiri's rare trio session on Aketa's Disk label. Odagiri's fiery solos, accompanied by bassist Koichi Yamazaki and drummer Kenichi Kaneyama, create a dynamic interplay. Tracks include a vibrant take on Freddie Hubbard's "Intrepid Fox," as well as interpretations of "Invitation," "Striped Slacks," and "When Sunny Gets Blue." This searing session epitomizes the label's rare and freewheeling spirit.

*Limited Edition* Trumpeter Itaru Oki leads, but Takashi Tokuhiro's mesmerizing bass solo on "Shirasagi" steals the show. Side two transforms "You Don't Know What Love Is" into an unrecognizable, free-flowing improvisation leading to "October Revolution." Bass and trumpet, supported by percussionists Joe Mizuki and Tatsuya Nakamura, shine in this album, where standout moments redefine musical boundaries.

*Limited Edition* Oki Itaru went to France in 1974, and recorded this album in 1977 when he temporarily returned to Japan. The group consisted of Keiki Midorikawa and Masahiko Togashi, with whom Oki had collaborated since the early days of his career, and Takashi Kako, who had befriended him in Paris. The matured musicality of the group finally reached its climax with this reunion and encounter. This is one of Oki's masterpieces, and at the same time a masterpiece that conveys the maturity of Ja…

Immerse yourself in the musical brilliance of percussionist Yoshisaburo "Sabu" Toyozumi's trio, featuring Mototeru Takagi on reeds and Takashi Tokuhiro on bass. The two extended improvisations on this album unfold with a delicate and quiet start, with each musician exploring small, almost private sonic spaces. Gradually, the trio builds into full interaction, leading the improvisations into fantastic directions. The careful and quiet beginnings create ample room for the music to blossom and take…

Japanese nostalgia stimulates the heartstrings! The third reprint of Johnny's disc, a treasure of Japanese jazz masterpieces! The impact left by legendary folk singer Hiroshi Mikami from Aomori and pulsating jazz drummer Ryojiro Furusawa. The legendary punk rock duo's live recording is now on CD for the first time! Recorded: June 9, 1979 Rikuzentakata Civic Hall.

*Limited Edition* Hiroshi Hatsuyama's presence is invaluable in Japan's jazz vibraphone scene. His ability is evident in his achievements alone, as he has brilliantly colored the works of musicians such as Shoyuki Akutagawa, Koichi Matsukaze, Yoriyuki Harada, and Fumio Itabashi, all of whom have been difficult to dislodge from the scene. This is his first album. This is his first album, and it is a delightful work, sometimes bluesy, sometimes swingy, and filled with beautiful sounds. The "melanc…

Delight in Hiroshi Fukumura's live brilliance, where his unusual approach to the instrument shines. This quartet, featuring Hiroshi Tamura on piano, Tsutomu Okada on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums, delivers open, flowing tracks reminiscent of Japanese piano trios. Fukumura's solos, crafted like trumpet lines, boast a gritty yet lyrical power, this live session captures the essence of Fukumura's unique artistry and musical strides.

Hideo Shiraki travelled to the US from Japan in 1962 and was bowled over by Horace Silver and the Bossa Nova Craze happening at the same time. When he returned to Japan he went straight into the studio and cut this Blue Note inspired Japanese Jazz Masterpiece. With a selection of tunes ranging from the 1940's stylings of "Tico Tico" through to the samba infused "Orfeo Negro" and arriving in Silversville with "Sayonara Blues" Hideo Shiraki has hit all the sweet spots! With sleeve notes translated…

Hiro Tsunoda began his career as a jazz drummer in the mid-1960s, studying under Masahiko Togashi and playing professionally in the groups of Masahiko Sato and Sadao Watanabe. In the mid-1970s, Tatsunoda played back-up for Maki Asakawa at Aketa's and hit it off with Shoyuki Akutagawa, with whom he had a series of sessions. This album is excerpted from the recordings made during this period. As Tsunoda says, "It is not unusual for one song to last 30 to 50 minutes," and the performance is thoroug…

The members of the Hidehiko Matsumoto Quartet, a famous combo from the 1960s, reunited for one night only. Their performance was on a grand scale, as if they were flapping their wings on four different wings, including the groovy "Speak Low" and the swinging "Four Wings".

Helen Merrill's masterpiece, featuring arrangements by the genius Masahiko Sato, who adds new pop tunes to jazz standards. The album is composed of a very well-balanced selection of jazz standards, including Barbra Streisand's "Reminiscence," Paul McCartney's "Love in Song," and "I Remember Clifford," dedicated to Helen's golden partner, Clifford Brown.

This is Masaaki Kikuchi's first produced work. This is a spiritual masterpiece with a floating feeling produced with superb ECM members, including the title track with its primitive rhythm and Kikuchi's pleasant electric piano.

*2023 stock. 100 copies limited edition* Ayalew Mesfin stands aside the likes of Mulatu Astake, Mahmoud Ahmed, Hailu Mergia and Alemayehu Eshete as a legend of 1970s Ethiopia. Mesfin’s music is some of the funkiest to arise from this unconquerable East African nation. Mesfin’s recording career, captured in nearly two dozen 7” singles and numerous reel-to-reel tapes, shows the strata of the most fertile decade in Ethiopia’s 20th century recording industry, when records were pressed constantly by …

*2023 stock. 100 copies limited edition* Mesfin’s recording career, captured in nearly two dozen 7” singles and numerous reel-to-reel tapes, shows the strata of the most fertile decade in Ethiopia’s 20th century recording industry, when records were pressed constantly by both independent upstarts and corporate behemoths, even if they were only distributed within the confines of this East African nation. Though Mesfin was forced underground by the Derg regime that took control of Ethiopia in 1974…

Fumio Kashima, a famous pianist loved by Elvin Jones and Otsuka George. This is a third album with a trio of George Murats and Motohiko Hino, which shows more vivid and lively play. Rich in colors including the comfortable explosive Landscape, refreshing Revlis and the beautiful ballad "The Fall" You can also enjoy the original Karajima songs and songs.

Elegant, but also incredibly powerful work from Fumio Karashima, exactly the kind of record that shows why he's one of our favorite Japanese jazz talents ever!

Recorded over two days at the Sound Inn Studio, Tokyo in 1983. Fumio Karashima’s Round Midnight is a solid straight ahead session featuring the esteemed pianist at his prime. Featuring Ikuo Sakurai on bass, Motohiko Hino on drums and guest jazz-fusion guitarist Larry Coryell on Side B of the LP. Post bop, cool jazz with a touch of Latin-fusion courtesy of Coryell. Perfect listening for anyone looking for a well-rounded session of classic jazz standards. Fumio Karashima, born March 9, 1948 in Oit…

A 1978 piece composed by pianist Fumio Karashima with legendary drummer Elvin Jones. The trio with bassist Andy MacLeod will feature original songs and standards, including the title track. This is the work that gave Karashima an opportunity to become active on the world stage.

Fumio Karashima, who was active in Jazz Machine led by Elvin Jones, recorded this work in 1981 when he returned to Japan. The trio is led by George Otsuka, the drummer who gave Kashima his breakthrough, and Richard Davis, the famous bassist from Chicago, and their performance is the most attractive of all. Kashima's piano is vivid and fresh, like a fish moving in a large current.

This is the fifth album by Fumio Kashima, who became a world-famous pianist after his encounter with Elvin Jones. The edgy groove of "American Tango" and "Merry-Go-Round" are very strong, and the colorful sound with power and volume, which sets it apart from ordinary fusion music, is very appealing.

Fumio Kashima, a famous pianist loved by Elvin Jones and Otsuka George. This first album was recreated by the trio of Suzuki Ino, Jimmy Hops. It has also been the first Japanese work of Whynot label, and it has a strong presence. A variety of famous songs and performances, such as Piranha and melancholic stormy "Little Island" are overflowing with vibrants.

"Four seasoned musicians improvised for an hour-long in 4 long and longer pieces. The shortest is eight minutes, and the longest is twenty minutes. Accordion (Claude Parle), modular synth (Jean-Marc Foussat), percussion (Makoto Sato), saxophone (Quentin Rollet) and sometimes voice create a riveting sound world. The title translates as space in this case and is very apt. Makato Sato has played with Alan Silva, Linda Sharrock, and Joe McPhee. Claude Perle has played with Don Cherry, among many oth…

“Loss has been a constant (in my life), and I wanted to express a deep acceptance of this, but also a pervasive feeling that these kinds of sadnesses are what beauty is derived from, that it doesn't come from perfection. I find the idea of perfect beauty completely banal. Tension matters.” - Anenon

Norwegian drummer/composer Gard Nilssen debuts on We Jazz Records with his major new album “Family” with the 17-piece Supersonic Orchestra. A veritable who’s who of Scandinavian jazz (and beyond), the Supersonic Orchestra is one of the most exciting large groups in the current international jazz circuit. Captured at Mondriaan Jazz Festival in Den Haag, Netherlands, “Family” presents the ensemble in top form across the 8 tracks, all of which are original compositions by Gard Nilssen and André Rol…

Tip! A radiant manifesto of artistic freedom, fLuXkit Vancouver (i̶t̶s suite but sacred) brings together a composition in four movements written and performed by Jones on alto saxophone, long-time collaborator Gerald Cleaver on drums, and four Vancouver-based string musicians: violinists Jesse Zubot and Josh Zubot, cellist Peggy Lee and bassist James Meger; with original artwork by Stan Douglas and liner notes by poet Harmony Holiday. Commissioned by Western Front, an artist-run center for multi…

Berlin-based Swedish bassist and producer Petter Eldh returns with a new Koma Saxo album Post Koma, out on We Jazz Records, 10 November. The title Post Koma aptly describes the vibe of this one: The Koma Saxo sound continues its evolution, morphing into a holistic vision of jazz now and soon, where live instrumentation and repurposed sampling lose their boundaries. Over the course of its three iterations (self-titled debut in 2019, LIVE in 2020, Koma West in 2022) Koma Saxo has sounded at times …

The tenth issue of We Jazz Magazine, "Dominoes" for Donald Byrd. 128 pages, 170 x 240 mm in size and printed on 140g Edixion paper with laminated 300g Invercote covers. All articles presented in English. Donald Byrd by Andy Beta, Lonnie Liston Smith by Anton Spice, Charles Gayle by Seymour Wright, Anoushka Shankar & Arooj Aftab in conversation by Debra Richards, Billy Harper by Bret Sjerven, Anni Kiviniemi by Wif Stenger, Kenneth Jimenez by Andrey Henkin, Sun Ra by Francis Gooding, Muffins by Ma…

"Rare & Lost Tapes" is a compilation of singles by the renowned band Cortex that were never put on an album. This album collects previously unpublished and rare songs such as "Les Oiseaux Morts" (Alternative Take 76), which was only available as a test pressing, "Mary & Jeff" (Fender Rhodes Version 77) recorded for TV, and "Californie" & "Stevie" issued for the Side Project Caribou as 7". This iconic set by Cortex is a classic example of jazzy funky fusion from the French scene of the 1970s, wit…

Fumio Karashima, who was active in Jazz Machine led by Elvin Jones, recorded this work in 1981 when he returned to Japan. The trio is led by George Otsuka, the drummer who gave Kashima his breakthrough, and Richard Davis, the famous bassist from Chicago, and their performance is the most attractive of all. Kashima's piano is vivid and fresh, like a fish moving in a large current.

In contrast to their previous work "Impact", which had a large ensemble, they welcomed Kazutoki Umezu as a guest and performed a relaxed performance with a small ensemble. A masterpiece released in 1986, which he himself admits was a really good one, with an effortless performance (from the LP liner). What shines is the trio composition of "Alicante" and "Don't Say Goodbye," a masterpiece that allows you to enjoy Itabashi's singing spirit. "Don't ~" can be said to be an answer song to the popula…

Post bop groovy album by Japanese pianist Fumio Itabashi recorded in 2011.

Seikatsu Kōjyō Iinkai (Committee for the Improvement of Life) began its activities in the early 1970s, led by Kazutoki Umezu and Yoshiyuki Harada. Many musicians came and went and engaged in multifaceted activities, but one of the pillars was the so-called Life Improvement Committee (Matsugumi), centered on Koichi Shofaze. This work, recorded live in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, is the only work left by Matsugumi with the same members. The saxophone cuts like a knife into the solid trio's pe…

The Japanese jazz cult work is one of the most popular Japanese jazz collectors around the world, including Tetsu Aizawa quartet and Yukasasasa Hino, and the original Jazz Rality series has been released as the world's first CD. As a musician, the prestigious Independent Jazz Label and Acetaz's Disc was reissued in the early 23 works of the famous Tokyo independent Jazz Label, and Acetaz's Disc. 11 of the 12 pieces released as the first release was released in the world for the first CD. These c…

CD reissue of Eiji Nakayama’s incredible 1978 album, a crate diggers dream find for many years, this is deep spiritual jazz, post-modal impressionism and grooves at the top

Dive into the brilliance of 1970s Japanese jazz with this exceptional bass-led trio session. While piano trios had their spotlight, the bassists led equally enchanting ensembles. Eiji Nakyama's bass takes center stage, weaving lyrical lines complemented by energetic guitar and drums. The album seamlessly blends straight jazz and modal explorations, showcasing creativity without gimmicks. A testament to Japanese jazz greatness, this session stands out for its dynamic and innovative approach.