★Three Blind Mice
Who Cares
The Takashi Mizuhashi Quartet proudly announces the reissue of their legendary 1974 album Who Cares, a cornerstone of Japanese post-bop jazz now available in a stunning remastered vinyl edition via Three Blind Mice Records. Originally recorded on August 28, 1974, at Aoi Studio in Tokyo, this vibrant LP captures the quartet's unparalleled synergy during jazz's golden era in Japan.
Led by bassist and composer Takashi Mizuhashi, the quartet features saxophonist Yoshio Otomo on alto and soprano sax,…
Yellow Carcass In The Blue
Legendary Japanese jazz vocalist Kimiko Kasai, one of the most innovative singers of the 1970s, joins forces with the fiery Kosuke Mine Quartet on the newly reissued Yellow Carcass in the Blue, originally released in 1971 on the esteemed Three Blind Mice (TBM) label. This rare leader album captures Kasai at her peak, blending her husky, soulful voice with avant-garde improvisation and fusion grooves, featuring standout tracks like the title song—Masabumi Kikuchi's composition elevated by Kasai's…
Black Orpheus
The legendary Isao Suzuki Trio's iconic 1976 album Black Orpheus, a cornerstone of Japanese jazz, receives a stunning 180g vinyl reissue, bringing its soulful modal and soul-jazz grooves back to life for a new generation of listeners.
Originally released on Three Blind Mice (TBM-63) and recorded on February 20, 1976, at Aoi Studio in Tokyo, Black Orpheus showcases bassist and cellist Isao Suzuki leading a powerhouse trio with pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on piano and electric piano, and drummer Don…
Morning Flight
Japanese jazz enthusiasts rejoice: the Hiroshi Fukumura Quintet’s landmark 1973 album Morning Flight, originally released on the iconic Three Blind Mice label, is being reissued for a new generation of listeners. This trombone-led masterpiece captures the raw energy and improvisational spirit of early 1970s Japanese jazz, blending free-form exploration with lyrical standards.
Ako's Dream
One of the wonderfully creative 70s sets from Japanese stringman Isao Suzuki – an artist who also plays bass, but who works here on jazz cello – for a very unusual approach! The set has Suzuki's work on the light strings matched in a combo with lead guitar from Kazumi Watanabe – who's nicely restrained here, and falls in with Isao's strings at a level that's quite different than his own material of the time. Watanabe's lead is augmented by further rhythm guitar work by Kazumasa Akiyama, and the …
2nd Album
Following the wave of critical acclaim for his debut, the prodigious Japanese saxophonist Kosuke Mine cemented his place in the modern jazz world with the release of his 2nd Album, recorded in Tokyo in late 1970 and originally issued on the revered Three Blind Mice label. Now, this pivotal work is available again, celebrating a new generation of jazz lovers and collectors.
Rising to the forefront of the Japanese jazz scene, Kosuke Mine assembled an all-star quintet featuring trombonist Takashi I…
Now!!
Now! by Masaru Imada was the second album released by the fledgling Three Blind Mice label and the pianist's first leader album for the label. All four tunes are Imada's original compositions. The two slow numbers – "Nostalgia" and "The Shadow of the Castle" show his lyrical, "quiet but emotional," qualities. "Alter" is an adventurous tune whose focus is on free improvisation while "Gehi Dorian" is a modal composition as the title suggests.
Ginparis Session
For the better part of the 50s and 60s, Masayuki Takayanagi was among Japan's best-respected jazz guitarists. But it wasn't until his experiments with tabletop guitar led him down the seductive path of sonic experimentation that he became the stuff of legend. “Ginparis” (literally translated as Silver Paris) was known as the chanson cafe in Tokyo, Ginza, and the performances often centred around chansons but eventually became the session venue for young jazz musicians. They left their mark on a…
Debut
This is the first album by Takao Uematsu, who played in the George Otsuka Group. His blackness of blowing, spirit and technique, which are directly descended from Joe Henderson, set him apart from other Japanese players.
Step!
A memorable first album by the very accomplished yet restrained artist, Naosuke Miyamoto. Thrilling straight-ahead jazz with Takashi Furuya and other Kansai-based members!
Midnight Sugar
This is the monumental first album by Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, who later became one of the two major artists on the TBM label along with Isao Suzuki. A groovy and heartwarming popular disc by the Japanese piano trio
Green Caterpillar
Previous album, "Brow Up," which made it known to the jazz world, this is Isao Suzuki's second album. You can enjoy the interplay with the Watanabe Kazumi, ...etc. This is a masterpiece of one creature.
Orang-Utan
Following his success with “Blow Up,” the once-weekly favorite bassist Isao Suzuki returns with his fourth release under the Three Blind Mice label. The heavy, groovy sound he crafts alongside the eccentric talent Kenji Mori remains timeless and undiminished by the years.
Girl Talk
Girl Talk completes the "trilogy" of great records that started with Midnight Sugar and Misty, Girl Talk solidified Tsuyoshi Yamamoto's reputation as Japan's premier jazz pianist. Though he would continue to tour and record for Takeshi "Tee" Fujii more than a decade, Girl Talk became the pinnacle of his career. This trio of classic LPs together are a benchmark in Japanese jazz records in particular and recording engineering in general. As usual, master recordist Yoshihiko Kannari worked with Yam…
Mr. Wonderful
At the age of 14, Ayako Hosokawa was already performing in the American military clubs in Japan, picking up the English language by singing international pop songs of that time. Now, she represents feeling and soul within her songs, no matter whether she sings in English or Japanese. After her marriage, she moved to the United States and was discovered and sponsored by Earl "Fatha" Hines. She found enthusiastic fans touring San Francisco, Las Vegas, Montreal and lots of places in California, per…
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…
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.