Tokyo Jazz Notes

Sebastian Liedke Trio - Zeitenwende

2012-01-30T23:13:00.000+09:00

Label: Sebastian Liedke Music
Released: September 2011

Whilst a large number of the releases reviewed for this blog are albums that feature songs that are likely to have dancefloor appeal, some are albums that take a more gentle and melodic approach to jazz. The second album from the Sebastian Liedke trio, Zeitenwende, is one such album, with the Berlin-based piano trio exploring a wide range of melodic avenues without the need to hammer the most out of their instruments.

Bassist Sebastian Liedke has recruited two new members to his trio since his 2010 debut, with Felix Otterbeck taking up piano duties and Lucia Martinez on drums. Listening to the album, however, you get the feeling that the musicians have been playing together for some time as they achieve an almost effortless synergy on the half dozen tracks on offer.

The opening bars of Form Folgt Funktion (FFF) have a dramatic but restrained feel, which instantly command attention, before Otterbeck's gentle melodies take over escorting the listener on a dream-like voyage. The tune gradually fades out, flowing effortlessly into Bastian, an uplifting tune with some understated power in which both Liedke and Otterbeck deliver exquisite solos. Vio is a romantic tune on which Otterbeck's piano really shines. The closing Sensucht is the sparsest and most restrained track on the album, which certainly does create a sense of yearning as the German title suggests.

Zeitenwende is a beautifully accomplished album that will reveal different hues and shades with each listen.

Yokota Hiroyuki Ethnic Minority - Startin'

2012-01-30T11:05:00.000+09:00

Label: East Works Entertainment

Released: January 2012

If you’ve been near Shibuya station at night in the past twelve months, you may well have encountered three young guys playing up a storm to passers-by, many of whom have stopped to listen, cheer and/or dance. This trio goes by the name of 横田寛之Ethnic Minority, and is led by saxophonist Hiroyuki Yokota. Backed by some funky amplified upright bass and a unique drum set-up of snare, customised cajon, and cymbals, the group has an aggressive, rough-and-ready sound, drawing on a variety of influences, to make a sound it has labeled ‘grunge jazz’. In addition to their own compositions, 横田寛之Ethnic Minority often perform a distortion-heavy version of the Nirvana anthem Smells Like Teen Spirit, as well as other covers.

Having signed with East Works Entertainment, 横田寛之Ethnic Minority are now ready to take their music to a wider audience with their debut album, Startin’, which comprises eight tracks – five of them originals and three covers. The album bursts into life with the powerful Minority D, its unrelenting heavy rock drums, funky bassline providing the backing for an awesome sax riff. Things then get funky and free with the Ornette Coleman composition Times Square, featuring a couple of sax loops over which Yokota is free to improvise, recalling the new wave funk sound of the early eighties.

The four-beat rhythm and the catchy sax refrain of Dr. Wild make for a top dance number that is the real killer tune of the set. And it’s this track, together with the fusion sound of Upper Summer Love, that have the most potential to cross over to DJ set lists.

Startin’ is a noteworthy debut that successfully recreates the energy, mood and volume of the 横田寛之Ethnic Minority’s live performances and marks their true arrival as the new upstarts on the Tokyo underground jazz scene.

NOTE: This review was first published in The Japan Times on Thursday January 26th, and the can be viewed here online at the paper's website:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20120126l1.html

Finn Silver @Billboard, Roppongi 24/01/12

2012-01-26T23:37:00.002+09:00

The Dutch duo Finn Silver kicked off their mini tour of Japan on a cold wintry evening in Tokyo at Billboard with a two shows to showcase their album Crossing The Rubicon. Vocalist Fridolijn van Poll and producer/composer Mark Berman were backed by an enormously talented band, featuring brothers Ben and Gideon van Gelder on alto sax and keys respectively and a rhythm section consisting of bassist Neil Charles and drummer Richard Spaven, a line-up which pretty much guarantees an evening of musical delights .

Against a backdrop of dreamy visual sequences in similar hues and moods to the album's artwork the band kicked off the set with the single Roadtrip. From the moment the tune began, it was clear that it was going to be a special evening, with the songs sounding even better in a live setting. Mark Berman sat at the controls overseeing the samples and effects and the rhythm section kept everything really tight, allowing room for some great accompaniment and solo work from the van Gelder brothers. On top of this rich tapestry Fridolijn van Poll gave an exquisite vocal performance that had the audience rapt.

The band worked through most of the album and it was a delight from start to finish, with Sitting On Shore, Play With Fire and Kidnapped By Butterflies going down particularly well. A hugely enjoyable evening in which Finn Silver really took their music to another level. Simply magic.

Yusuke Hirado - Speak Own Words

2012-01-26T21:59:00.000+09:00

Label: EMI Music Japan
Released: January 2012

quasimode have been one of the most successful Japanese club jazz bands of the last five or six years, achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim with their prolific stream of albums and well-received live shows. Now, pianist and bandleader Yusuke Hirado has taken time to step out on his own and record his first solo album. Speak Own Words is an album that allows him the freedom to go beyond the quasimode sound with some tracks that reflect some of his other musical interests.

Speak Own Words can be considered as an album with two distinct halves in a couple of of different ways. Firstly half of the tracks are performed by Hirado leading a piano trio, with backing from Show Kudo on bass and Nobuaki Fujii on drums, and the remaining six tunes feature a variety of guests and instrumentation, dipping into pop, hip-hop and club sounds. Looked at from a different angle, the album also features an even split with six originals and half a dozen covers.

The album opens with a creditable piano trio interpretation of Taxi Driver Theme, interpreted in Hirado's distinctive style. The version of I'm In Love works just as well, with the rhythm section providing a canvas of tight backing on which the piano adds its colourful flourishes. There are a couple of waltzes in the set including the original And Far Away with its wonderfully plaintive melody and a version of the Carole King song Music, featuring Miyuki Hatakeyama on vocals.

The lead single, 生まれたてのメロディ[Umaretate no melody] (which translates as Newborn Melody) features Bird on vocals and is a slice of sophisticated adult-oriented pop that occupied the top spot in the iTunes Japan Jazz songs chart in the run up to Christmas. It has a catchy enough refrain, and has obvious appeal to the Japanese market, but is perhaps not the best track on the set. In addition to this you have a piano solo version of the quasimode tune No More Sadness as well as an instrumental cover of Amy Winehouse's Love Is A Losing Game to close the album.

The other half of the album, which moves away from the basic piano trio format includes a lot more experimentation, some of which works with varying degrees of success. Against The Invisible Wall is a big tune with flute, strings and synths added to the trio as well as some vocals from Hirado (with a little help from autotune) and production and arrangements from Cradle Orchestra's Tomoki Seto. It's like a meeting of the big mid-seventies McCoy Tyner productions and modern day Japanese club sounds, and it's largely a successful encounter and stands out as one of the most original tunes on the album.

Also worth a listen is the cover of Roy Ayers' Love Will Bring Us Together, with a guest appearance from mabanua and Hirado singing through a vocoder. It stays faithful to the original, but the beats and programming from mabanua give it a really tight groove that make it one of the stand out tunes on the album.

The version of the Bacharach and David standard A House Is Not A Home, with Soil & "Pimp" Sessions' Motoharu on sax is a bit more pedestrian, however, and strays perilously close to a smooth jazz sound. The synth-laden Spectrum is also something of a disappointment, chugging along at a fairly constant tempo, but somehow lacking in that one ingredient that would make it really memorable.

Down To The South, featuring Hirado on Fender Rhodes backed by his rhythm section is an altogether much better track. The rhythm section really get into their groove and the warm sounds of the Rhodes makes for a really pleasing tune.

For his first solo project, Yusuke Hirado has the chance to express some of his other musical interests and experiment with some new sounds. Speak Own Words is an interesting album where in parts he expresses himself with impressive fluency, while in others there are a few stutters and fluffed lines, but on whole we can be sure that the quasimode leader has a lot to offer musically in a variety of styles.

Finn Silver - Crossing The Rubicon

2012-01-23T01:21:00.002+09:00

Label: P-Vine Records
Released: November 2011

One new act that made quite an impact in the second half of 2011 was the duo Finn Silver, consisting of producer and composer Mark Berman and lyricist and vocalist Fridolijn van Poll. Their debut album Crossing The Rubicon was released on their own Jazzberry label at the start of the summer, and gradually a buzz began to build around the album, with P-Vine picking the album up for a Japanese release in November.

Recorded at the Jazzanova studios in Berlin, Berman and van Poll managed to assemble a talented group of musicians for the session including the likes of in-demand drummer Richard Spaven, the young and talented alto saxophonist Ben van Gelder, and Dutch free jazz bassist Ernst Glerum. The result is an exquisite set of songs that include a variety of influences including pop, jazz, hip-hop and electronic grooves.

The album opens with the single Roadtrip, a classy tune that ticks all the right boxes. It's catchy and has elements of pop, jazz and electronica all held together by Richard Spaven's tight drumming and Fridolijn's sublime voice. Fertile Soil has more of a bluesy jazz feel to it, with some fine sax from Ben van Gelder, and is a song that demands repeated listens.

The Jazzanova production adds a certain warmth to the set, particularly evident on Sitting On The Shore, a soulful mid-tempo number, which again allows Richard Spaven to really shine, and the superb Play With Fire.

Other essential tunes include Kidnapped By Butterflies, which has something of a drum'n'bass feel, and the downtempo Lies Within, a song with a catchy refrain that grows in intensity as it progresses.

Crossing The Rubicon has to be one of the most impressive debuts of 2011 and retrospectively deserves a place as one of my albums of the year. Finn Silver have arrived in style and are an act well worth looking out for. They will be playing a series of live shows in Japan this week and should not be missed.

V.A. - 須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus III

2012-01-22T19:23:00.000+09:00

Label: Venus Records
Released: December 2011

For his third foray into the Venus Records archives, Tatsuo Sunaga focuses more on the piano trio format and more of a late night dinner jazz club mood. One point in common with the previous two releases, however, is that there are some originals scattered among a healthy number of standards for the dozen tracks featured on this release.

As with all Venus Records releases the audio quality is impeccable, giving you that in-the-room-with-the-band kind of feeling. The Bill Crow Quartet get us under way with the original composition From Birdland To Broadway, a guitar and sax-led swinging number that has nice groove to it. Other notable tracks include Richie Beirach Trio's take on the Miles Davis tune Solar, Harold Maybern Trio's take on Blue Bossa, and the Brazilian jazz of Papagaio Rei by Adela Dalto.

Another decent collection on the whole, but perhaps not quite as kicking as the last volume.

Paolo Recchia - Ari's Desire

2012-01-19T00:44:00.000+09:00

Label: Via Veneto Jazz
Released: April 2011

Alto sax player Paolo Recchia's second outing as leader sees him playing with a trio with a guest appearance on some tracks from immensely talented Alex Sipiagin on trumpet & flugelhorn. For his second album he has chosen to go with a pianoless set up, allowing the horn players plenty and freedom and space to do what they please over some solid backing from the rhythm section of Nicola Muresu and Nicola Angelucci.

Whether the band are in a really swinging groove or playing in a looser more experimental fashion, they always strike a fine balance between the improvisation and the melody, making for a memorable set of tunes. The nine tracks on offer, including four originals, a couple of Rollins compositions, one by Coltrane, and a couple of standards, give Recchia the opportunity to show off various different sides of his style.

There's a delicious cover of Tenor Madness, with some great interplay between Recchia and Sigiapin as well as some impressive solos that pay their dues to the genius of Rollins and 'Trane on the original session yet inject their own character and creativity to the tune. The other Rollins tune featured is Pent-Up House, again given a fantastic treatment, and the band also take on Coltrane's Lazy Bird, with very pleasing results.

In addition to these toe-tapping classics, you have some great ballads, in the form of the impressive November, as well as the standard Who Can I Turn To? in addition to more free-form mood pieces such as Peace Hotel.

Perhaps the two most outstanding tracks, however, are Recchia originals, namely the ultra cool Boulevard Victor and the title track. Ari's Desire is a superb number that has a really spacious and spiritual feel to it with Recchia and Sipiagin harmonising wonderfully on the main motif, yet with the mood and tempo morphing effortlessly in between as both musicians improvise and explore with their solos. Magnificent.

The Quiet Nights Orchestra - Movin'

2012-01-16T23:23:00.001+09:00

Label: Continental
Released: December 2011

To follow on from their critically lauded 2009 debut Chapter One, The Quiet Nights Orchestra, an eight-piece outfit from Sweden have stayed with the classic era jazz influences of the 50s and 60s to produce another solid set of tunes. Movin' is released as a double CD for the Japanese market with a total of 16 tracks, adding two new tracks and two remixes to the dozen featured on the European release.

Disc one opens with the title track, a catchy swinging number in a Five Corners Quintet mode with vocalist Sofie Norling inviting you to come down and dance. Made for the clubs, you can see this tune together with The Tryout, the instrumental that follows, making some DJ sets in club jazz events when the DJ is looking for something with a retro feel.

For the remainder of the first disc, the tunes have more of a late night jazz feel, with the notable tunes being Dreaming, on which Sofie Norling duets with guest Roman Andren, the delightful waltz I Don't Think So, and Falling For You.

Starting out with the mid-tempo number The Path, the second disc has more of a club jazz feel to it, mixing the uplifting melodies with dance-inducing rhythms. When We Fly sees Roman Andren guesting again, this time on Fender Rhodes, which adds some real warmth to one of the albums really outstanding numbers.

Sundays is another track worth a mention, both in its original form and the Groovy Soul Remix version mixed by DJ KGO, whose other contribution is the Floor Potion Remix of Falling For You, giving the late night jazz ballad a jazzy house makeover.

Adding to the fine recent tradition of Nordic club jazz that has brought us the like of Koop, Povo, FCQ and Dalindeo, the second album from The Quiet Nights Orchestra sees them building on and consolidating on the success of their debut release. A bright, uplifting album that is worth checking out.

The Unity Sextet - The Unity Sextet

2012-01-07T00:15:00.000+09:00

Label: P-Vine Records
Released: December 2011

Somewhere in between his work as multi-instrumentalist, beat-maker, remixer and DJ, Adam Gibbons, better known as Lack Of Afro had found the time to produce a new outfit called The Unity Sextet. So who are these guys? The legend has it that Buddy Franco, Fats Young Jr., Cassius Farqhuar, Junior Oliver, Chuck Waldron and ‘Fat Thumbs’ Ronnie met in spring of 2011 whilst playing at different jazz festivals in different bands with different genres ranging from traditional to experimental jazz.They then later discovered that they all hailed from the same part of south-west England. Or the alternative approach would be to think of the magic that Madlib created with Yesterday's New Quintet, because The Unity Sextet is a project in a very similar vein, blending samples, beats and live instrumentation to create a set of fine of jazzy tunes.

The copy on the 'obi' of the Japanese release refers to spiritual, cosmic, blackness and club influences and that pretty much captures the range of the music on offer. Whereas his Lack Of Afro tracks are pretty heavy on the funk and the beats, The Unity Sextet project has a much more swinging feel to it, with just the right balance to keep beat fanatics, jazzheads and dancers happy.

The entire set warrants repeated listens, but the tracks that are getting the heaviest rotation chez Tokyo Jazz Notes are the loop-laden The Arrow, which has a pretty heavy spiritual feel to it with some nice sax and electric piano; Ten Days (Parts 1 & 2), which has a bit of a Quantic vibe to it (no faint praise); Do Me A Fredo, with its Boom Jackie Boom Chick bassline sample; and Swing Swang Swingin, which has some wonderful interplay between guitar and Fender Rhodes.

The Unity Sextet is a project that sees Lack Of Afro exploring areas beyond the funk and soul of the recordings made under his usual moniker and is well worth checking out.

The Tokyo Jazz Notes Dozen #18 - January 2012

2012-01-03T23:40:00.002+09:00

Welcome to the first Tokyo Jazz Notes Dozen of 2012 which, as ever, features a selection of tunes from past and present from the four corners of the globe. This time round the focus is almost entirely jazz be it with a Brazilian, European, Japanese or nu jazz flavour, with the one exception being a wonderful piece of gospel-influenced soul to close the set. I hope you enjoy this month's selection, and remember to support the musicians who give us these wonderful sounds.

Vim de Santana - Quarteto Novo (from Bossa Jazz: The Birth Of Hard Bossa, Samba Jazz & The Evolution Of Brazilian Fusion 1962-1973 on Soul Jazz Records)

Caravan - Marilyn Scott (from 須永辰緒の夜ジャズ～Jazz Allnighters～ digs Venus Jazz Opus II on Venus Records)

The Young Rabbits - The Jazz Crusaders (from Lookin' Ahead on Pacific Jazz Records)

Junior Is Black! - Idea 6 (from Steppin' Out on Deja Vu/Commodo Depot)

Baker's Dozen - Opus 5 (from Introducing Opus 5 on Criss Cross)

Steppin' Up - Manabu Ohishi Trio (from Steppin' Up on EWE Records)

OK Then - Danuel Tate (from Mexican Hotbox on Wagon Repair)

Swing Swang Swingin' - The Unity Sextet (from The Unity Sextet on P-Vine)

Dance Of The Mystic - Nat Birchall (from Sacred Dimension on Gondwana Records)

African Violet - David Durrah feat. Calvin Keys (from Angelic Streams on Quadrophonic Sound Module)

Baobab - indigo jam unit (from Independent on Basis Records)

Assassination - The Dixie Nightingales (from Memphis 60: Soul, R&B and Proto Funk from Soul City USA on BGP)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The Tokyo Jazz Notes Newsletter

2012-01-02T14:24:00.000+09:00

New for 2012 is a regular newsletter from Tokyo Jazz Notes with information on upcoming releases, gigs, events and any other links of interest. To get your copy click on the link in the right hand column or alternatively sign up below:

Tokyo Jazz Notes Pick of Year 2011

2011-12-28T17:50:00.000+09:00

To round off what will no doubt be remembered as a momentous year, we have the Tokyo Jazz Notes pick of the year ~ 30 top tunes from 2011 coming in at close to three hours of music.

As always, if you like the music, please help keep the music alive by buying the music from legitimate sources.

Sexual Hungry - Soil & "Pimp" Sessions (from Magnetic Soil on Victor Entertainment)

Nautilus - Sextetto Excellento (from Black Feeling 2 on Freestyle Records)

O Mi Shango - Sunlightsquare (from Britannia Shing-A-Ling on Sunilghtsquare)

Mediacracy - JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra (from Mediacracy on Octave/SoulGarden Records)

AV (Anti-Violence) - Kingdom★Afrocks (from Fanfare on Village Again)

Ayodegi - Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra (from Ayodegi on Underdog Records)

The Archipelago - Osaka Monaurail (from State Of The World on King Records)

Lie On The Side - Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro (from Lie On The Side single on Backfire Records)

Snap Back - The Baker Brothers (from Time To Testify on Genki Brothers/Records Kicks)

Star feat. Tony Momrelle (RP Club Mix) - Reel People (from Reel People Presents Golden Lady on Vithmic)

Still In Love feat Navasha Daya - Shuya Okino (from Destiny on Village Again)

Northern Lights - Pietro Lussu (from Northern Lights on Albore Jazz)

Trisonique - Hakuei Kim (from Trisonique on Universal Music)

Dubai - Fabrizio Bosso (from Libero on Pony Canyon)

GL/JM - Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band (from Sector b on Airplane Records)

Out Back - Max Ionata, Clarence Penn, Reuben Rogers (from Kind Of Trio on Jando Music/Via Veneto Jazz)

Power And Glory - indigo jam unit feat. Alicia Saldenha (from Rose on Basis Records)

Love From The Sun - Nicola Conte (from Love & Revolution on Impulse/Universal)

Summer House - native (from Going With The Flow on Nature Bliss)

Bubble - Aquapit (from Aquapit on Mocloud Records)

Sanctuary - The Outer Rim (from Surface Past Reflection on Jeff Curry Music)

Midnight Feast Of Jazz - Nick Pride & The Pimptones (from Midnight Feast Of Jazz on P-Vine/Record Kicks)

Cecil's Slide - The Fantastics! (from All The People on Freestyle Records)

Capricornus - Austin Peralta (from Endless Planets on Brainfeeder)

Take The Dark Train - Roberto Gatto Lysergic Band (from Pure Imagination on Albore Jazz)

Dance Of The Mystic - Nat Birchall (from Sacred Dimension On Gondwana Records)

Much Longer feat Gizelle Smith - 45 (from Stop! Look! Listen! on Origami Productions)

Get Started - Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Omar & Sheila E (from Renegades on Tru Thoughts)

Put Ya Lightas Up feat. Banjang King of Windy City - laidbook (from laidbook 12 on Origami Productions)

Dark Is The Sun Part 1 (Main Theme) - Greg Foat Band (from Dark Is The Sun on Jazzman Records)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Pick of 2011: Albums of the year

2011-12-28T16:50:00.000+09:00

The Tokyo Jazz Notes readers have cast their votes and chosen their favourite albums of 2011, with the results published last week. This is my own selection of my favourite and most played albums of the year.

Best Album By A Japanese Artist

Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band - Sector b (Airplane Records)

Top tunes: GL/JM, Obsession

indigo jam unit featuring Alicia Saldenha - Rose (Basis Records)

Top tunes: Power And Glory, The One Who Needs You

JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra - Mediacracy (Octave/SoulGarden Records)

Top tunes: Tricky Liars, Legend Of The Yoruba

Shuya Okino - Destiny (Village Again)

Top Tunes: Still In Love, Love And Live

Kingdom★Afrocks - Fanfare (Village Again)

Top tunes: AV (Anti-Violence), Untitled

Best Album By An International Artist

Pietro Lussu - Northern Lights (Albore Jazz)

Top tunes: Northern Lights, Afro-Centric

The Baker Brothers - Time To Testify (Genki Brothers/Record Kicks)

Top tunes: Snap Back, The Young Patter

Mark de Clive-Lowe - Renegades (Tru Thoughts)

Top tunes: Get Started, Hooligan

Zara McFarlane - Until Tomorrow (Brownswood Recordings)

Top tunes: More Than Mine, Feed The Spirit (The Child & The Warlock)

Nick Pride & The Pimptones - Midnight Feast Of Jazz (P-Vine/Record Kicks)

Top tunes: Waitin' So Long, Midnight Feast Of Jazz

Best Compilation

Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque (Strut Records)

Top tunes: Descarga Bontempi - El Timba, Je Ne Bois Beaucoup - Les Ya Toupas Du Zaire

Bossa Jazz: The Birth Of Hard Bossa, Samba Jazz And The Evolution Of Fusion 1962-1973 (Soul Jazz Records)

Top tunes: Samblues - Sambalanco Trio, Consolacao - Tenorio Jr

Wax Poetics Japan Compiled Series King of JP Jazz 60-70s: Deux Step (King Records)

Top tunes: Groovy Samba - Hideo Shiraki Quintet, Sayonara Blues - Hideo Shiraki Quintet

須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus 1(Venus Records)
Top tunes: How Are You? - One For All, It's All Right With Me - Champian Fulton Trio

Jazz Next Beat (Ultra Vybe)
Top tunes: Mystic Brew (Trixation Version) - Vijay Iyer Trio, Center's Groove - DJ Center

The Pick of 2011: Best Gigs

2011-12-28T15:36:00.001+09:00

I have seen a number of good gigs this year, and have caught a number of artists more than once. This is a selection of the most memorable gigs I've seen during the last twelve months.

indigo jam unit with Alicia Saldenha @ JZ'Brat, Shibuya (September 10th) ~ indigo jam unit live juts get better every year, and this performance with vocalist Alicia Saldenha on the Rose release tour was simply outstanding.

JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra @ Plug, Shibuya (November 20th) ~ I've seen this band several times this year and could have chosen one or two other dates, but settled for the release party for their album Mediacracy.

Kingdom★Afrocks @月見ル君想フ, Aoyama (July 10th) ~ the other big name on the Japanese afrobeat scene, the release party for Fanfare, with 鎮座Dopeness in support was one of the highlights of the summer.

Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro @ JZ'Brat (April 29th) ~ Saitama's finest finest funk outfit were on top form for this live set at the spring edition of "Searching" with UK DJ/digger/label owner Jazzman Gerald as special guest.

Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band @ Star Pine's Cafe (October 17th) ~ slick, confident and assured performance from the best young trumpeter in Japan with a special guest appearance from Naruyoshi Kikuchi for a couple of tracks.

The Tokyo Jazz Notes Readers' Poll 2011 Results- Albums of the Year

2011-12-24T14:23:00.000+09:00

Tokyo Jazz Notes readers around the world have cast their votes, the data has been collated and now it's time to announce the results of the Tokyo Jazz Notes Readers' Poll 2011. Readers were asked to rate albums on a three point scale, with 3 points awarded for "Essential", 2 for "Good" and 1 for "OK", and the overall results based on the highest average rating. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.

Best Album By A Japanese Artist

1	Rose - indigo jam unit feat Alicia Saldenha	2.65
2	Independent - indigo jam unit	2.33
3	Magic Ensemble - quasimode	2.19
4	Mediacracy - JariBu Afrobeat Arkestra	2.04
5	Destiny - Shuya Okino	1.97
6	Fanfare - Kingdom*Afrocks	1.92
7	Sector b - Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band	1.86
8	Classics from the parallel world - Conguero Tres Hoofers	1.79
9	Trisonique - Hakuei Kim	1.73
10	Aquapit - Aquapit	1.44

Best Album By An International Artist

1	Time To Testify - The Baker Brothers	2.12
2	Midnight Feast Of Jazz - Nick Pride & The Pimptones	2.10
3	All The People - The Fantastics!	1.97
4	Northern Lights - Pietro Lussu	1.92
5	Renegades - Mark de Clive-Lowe	1.86
6	This Time - Lack Of Afro	1.81
7	The Rhythmagic Orchestra - The Rhythmagic Orchestra	1.81
8	Until Tomorrow - Zara McFarlane	1.80
9	Burn! - Eddie Roberts & The Fire Eaters	1.76
10	Kind Of Trio - Max Ionata, Clarence Penn, Reuben Rogers	1.75

Best Compilation

1	Wax Poetics Compiled Series: King Of JP Jazz Soul Bamboo	2.08
2	Wax Poetics Compiled Series: King Of JP Jazz Deux Step	2.03
3	Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque	1.97
4	Fania Records 1964-1980The Original Sound of Latin New York	1.91
5	Tatsuo Sunaga Jazz Allnighters Digs Venus Jazz Opus I	1.90
6	The Beetle presents Tokyo Crossover Night	1.90
7	Return of Jazz Funk ~ Jazz Funk Never Dies	1.84
8	The Pieces of somethin' else mixed bu DJ Hioko Otsuka	1.64
9	Jazz Beat Next compiled by Mitsuru Ogawa	1.63
10	Kickin' 5 "Luv'N Haight" rare groove mix Selected & Mixed by Daisuke Kuroda	1.50

Patrick Forge - A Soulful Christmas

2011-12-20T17:59:00.000+09:00

Happy Christmas
Peace
Patrick

1. Hamilton Bohannon - Save Their Souls
2. The Chi-Lites - Inner City Blues
3. Baby Huey - Hard Times
4. 24 Carat Black - The Best Of Good Love Gone
5. Dionne Warwick - Amanda
6. Ray Alexander Technique - Save Me
7. The SCLC Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and Choir - Precious Memories
8. Father's Children - Who's Gonna Save The World?
9. The Dells - Stand Up And Show The World
10. Jerry Peters - Love Song
11. The Isley Brothers - Brother, Brother, Brother
12. Esther Marrow - Ask Me To Dance
13. Spanky And The Gang - I'd Like To Get To Know You
14. The Impressions - Wherever You Leadeth Me
15. The Temptations - Smooth Sailing From Now On

45 - Stop! Look! Listen!

2011-12-18T23:10:00.000+09:00

Label: Origami Productions
Released: December 2011

Two and half years after The Revenge Of Soul, 45 is back with a brand new album Stop! Look! Listen! Since his last release, he has been busy as one quarter of laidbook as well as playing live shows as the 45 trio, fine tuning the tracks on this new release.

For Stop! Look! Listen!, 45 continues to develop the sound he has nurtured on his first two releases, effortlessly blending elements of jazz, soul and hip-hop to produce a fine set of catchy tunes. The album opens with I Remember Ramsey, a swinging tune that pays homage to the sixties sound of the legendary keyboard player Ramsey Lewis. The clear reference on this track aside, the rest of the album is deliciously imbued with the influences of the Mizell Brothers, Roy Ayers and Young-Holt Unlimited making the brand new compositions sound fresh but somehow familiar.

Funk and soul diva Gizelle Smith is the guest vocalist on the Much Longer, the album's lead song and a really infectious soul dancer that stands out as one of the tunes of the year and really deserves plenty of exposure. The strong opening to the album is rounded off with a faithful yet storming cover of Lonnie Liston Smith's rare groove classic Expansions.

The tempo then slows down slightly for Lucky Day, a really catchy tune featuring Ray Mann on vocals. It's the kind of track that may well capture some air-play time, which would help push the rest of the album.

The three tracks that follow show off a different side to the 45 sound and are all worth a mention. A Letter From My Girl is an uplifting instrumental that recalls the early seventies Brunswick sound, and Dig The Music (Afro Jam) is a funky little jam with some talk box vocals with a superb shuffling beat, whereas Just For You And Me is like some long lost rare groove treasure from the mid-seventies.

Other standout tracks include Corona, with its nod to mid-seventies Roy Ayers and You Are Music Part 2, a reprise of a tune from the first laidbook release, re-arranged with some added jazzy flute.

Without a doubt 45's best album to date, you really should Stop! Look! Listen! and, of course, but it.

Tokyo Crossover/Jazz Festival 2011

2011-12-18T13:17:00.000+09:00

The Tokyo Crossover/Jazz Festival 2011 saw a change of location and format compared to the previous seven editions. Switching from an all-night event at AgeHa Studio Coast to an evening event at The Garden Hall in Ebisu was perhaps bold move given that TCJF is essentially a club event, but it was a move that seems to have paid off with a really big crowd turning out for the evening of DJs and live acts.

The action alternated between the Lounge Area (DJs, the bar and food) and the Main Floor with DJs and the live shows. The DJs on the bill offered a wide range of music from the deep house of Ezel and house of DJ Kawasaki, to club jazz grooves from Shacho, rare groove from Daisuke Kuroda and hip-hop beats from MURO as well as the crossover sounds from DJ33Queen & Yukari BB and Yoshihiro Okino.

On stage the first act was a live set from Paul Randolph, a voice that has featured on numerous club classics in recent years. During the hour-long set, Randolph and his band played some tight funky grooves including Sentimental Man and Waves Of Love, both of which are featured on the Tokyo Crossover Night comp that celebrates this event, in addition to a cover of People Make The World Go Round.

The main attraction of the evening, however, was the Shuya Okino live set featuring tracks from his recent album Destiny. He assembled an all-star band for the night including Root Soul's Kenichi Ikeda on bass, Nobuaki Fujii (Sleep Walker/Masa Sextet) on drums, Matzz (quasimode) on percussion, Shota Hishiyama on keys and guest horn appearances from Motoharu (Soil & "Pimp" Sessions) and Hirose Takao (Jazz Collective). The icing on the cake, though, was the guest vocal appearance of both Navasha Daya and Diviniti who flew in from the States for the show.

Kicking off with the killer Still In Love, the band went from strength to strength rolling through Love And Live, Sun Will Rise, Take A Look At Yourself, Look Ahead and Destiny before an encore of Thank You from the United Legends album. A superb live set of tunes at the crossing point between fusion and boogie, and a fun night all round.

The Tokyo Jazz Notes Dozen #17 - December 2011

2011-12-13T23:40:00.000+09:00

A little bit later than usual due to some problems with the hosting site I use, the last Tokyo Jazz Notes Dozen of 2011 moves back and forth in time, taking in some classic mod jazz and some 21st century funk and jazz grooves and as usual features tunes from all corners of the globe. If you like what you hear, then please support the artists by buying the music from a legitimate source. Enjoy ...

Sexual Hungry - Soil & "Pimp" Session (from Magnetic Soil on Victor Entertainment)

Get Started - Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Omar + Sheila E (from Renegades on Tru Thoughts)

Above The Law - Federation Of The Disco Pimp (from Federation Of The Disco Pimp on P-Vine)

K.I.T.T ~ Knight Rider Main Title (DJ Uppercut Remix) - Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro (from Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind 45 on Backfire Records)

Screamin' - Brother Jack McDuff (from Screamin' on Prestige)

Caribbean Fire Dance - Joe Henderson (from Mode For Joe on Blue Note)

The Jazz Collective (ultimate mix) - The Jazz Collective (from Tokyo Crossover Night on Village Again)

Awunism - Ed Motta (from Aystelum on Beleza Records)

Country Girl - Wasabi feat. Cuong Vu (from Closer on Vie Veneto Jazz)

Latin Strut - Frootful (from Colours on Freestyle Records)

You Can't Win - The City Champs (from The City Champs on P-Vine)

Feed The Spirit (The Children & The Warlock) - Zara McFarlane (from Until Tomorrow on Brownswood)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Lefties Soul Connection - One Punch Pete

2011-12-12T23:51:00.000+09:00

Label: Nebula/Inpartmaint
Released: November 2011

Four years after their last album release, the Dutch outfit Lefties Soul Connection are back with their third album, One Punch Pete. Having built a name for themselves with gritty, rough around the edges funk and sixties R&B instrumentals, the new album features appearances from three different guest vocalists to add a new dimension to their sound.

The album kicks off with the hard-hitting Shake It Up, Burn It Loose with New York-born Michelle David on vocals. From the guitar riff and Hammon organ to the bassline and aggressive vocals, everything about the track is raw and in-yo-face and is a considerable sign of intent from the Amsterdam-based quartet. There's no letting up with Code 99, the high octane instrumental that follows driven by Cody Vogel's super tight drumming.

Michelle David returns to the mic for She's Not Answering, with its infectious refrain driven by a kicking bassline, as well as the mid-tempo funk rock of U Got Me and the closing lament of Baby Come Back, with the four tracks allowing her to showcase the various different aspects of her vocal talent.

German vocalist Flo Mega is the guest on Have Love Will Travel, a raw slice of sixties style R&B and the distortion on the mic adds an extra sheen of authenticity to a track that transports you back to the independent sounds of 1964.

The third guest vocalist is the British soul and blues vocalist Corrina Greyson. Cover My Eyes is an exquisite slice of soulful blues that recalls the Christine Perfect album shortly after she left Chicken Shack, whereas You Don't Know (already released as a single on MPM) is more of an uptempo soul stomper.

A couple of the instrumentals on the album see a bit of experimentation into new territories, with interesting results. Rimfire is a guitar-led tune that is a bit like Dick Dale meets The Meters, and Buckaloose blends Mulatu Astatke and garage psych sounds. The title track, however, is a classic LSC funk number that really does pack a powerful hook.

One Punch Pete is the perfect album for those who like raw and dirty funk with an aggressive edge. Having honed their craft over several years, the addition of some vocals to the Lefties Soul Connections sound sees them stepping up to become a real contender in the heavyweight division of contemporary funk.

Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro - Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind c/w K.I.T.T. - Knight Rider Main Title (DJ Uppercut Remix)

2011-12-11T22:33:00.001+09:00

Label: Backfire Records
Released: November 2011

The fifth installment in the Six Mocha Shots series of singles sees the Saitama Six referring to cinema and television for inspiration. The A-side is the original Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, a delightful slice of mid-tempo horn-driven funk. The reference to the Charlie Kaufman scripted film from 2004 is apt as the track has a bright, uplifting feel to it and begs repeated listens.

The flipside will be a trip down memory lane for anyone who grew up in the eighties, with a DJ Uppercut remix of MMK's version of the Knight Rider Main Title. The reedy eighties synths of the original have been rendered by the more traditional funk instrumentation of guitar, Hammond and horns to great effect. An inspired choice for a cover and another cracking single all round.

indigo jam unit - Independent

2011-12-05T22:05:00.001+09:00

Label: Basis Records
Released: December 2011

One of the most prolific bands on the Japanese scene, indigo jam unit's seventh original album and tenth overall release since 2006 is about to hit the shops just three months after the well-received covers project recorded with vocalist Alicia Saldenha. As with all their releases, the artwork for Independent is a distinctively simple match of sans serif typography and bold colour. And once again fans can look forward to a nine track set of tunes that feature funky basslines, memorable piano melodies and explosive percussion.

The album opens with Escape, featuring a heavy bass loop that continues for the duration of the tune. Takehiro Shimizu then comes in with some jazzy cymbals and drumwork before some crashing piano chords signal the beginning of the drama. The combination of these sounds suggest a frantic and furious flight from something rather ominous. No matter how fast they run away the danger seems to be drawer closer and closer and the abrupt end to the track leaves you wondering whether they fled successfully or were captured by their pursuers.

Whatever the outcome, the band were fortunately able to complete the rest of the album and move on next to Rising. Led by a memorable and haunting piano riff, the track is also notable for its use of the band's signature twin drum sound.

Another heavy bass loop marks the start of Baobab, a fine tune with some great drums and percussions over which Yoshichika Tarue can weave his magic. The tempo changes slightly half-way through, with the percussion and drums taking on a more African and then gradually builds to a powerful finale. Resolution, on the other hand, is a down-tempo number led by an exquisitley melancholy introspective piano loop. As the title, Bounce is a funky uptempo feelgood number that is bound to get you tapping your feet after the more reflective mood of the previous tune, and this track is bound to go down well live.

Devotion is a standout tune with a shuffling drumbeat over which is layered a Latin-flavoured piano hook. It's an exotic and uplifting mid-tempo number that provides the perfect escape from cold winter evenings.

The final third of the album kicks off with Phoenix, an atmospheric track led by some really impressive piano. The subdued and sobre mood of the first half of the tune gives way to a radiant burst of energy later on signalling the rebirth and resurrection, with the track finishing with a great feeling of hope and optimism. From high drama we then move to more conventional jazz stylings with Sepia, a great swinging tune with an awesome drum solo for its climax, which is followed by the ballad Genuine.

Once again indigo jam unit deliver the goods with Independent. It's an album that sees them sticking to a formula that has served them well for the last few years, but all the time they can continue to produce impressive new tunes like these, there is little need to fix what ain't broke.

UPDATE:
For fans outside Japan, Independent is now available in the iTunes store:

"Independent" Release Tour 2012

1.6	Kagoshima SR HALL
1.8	Kumamoto LIVE HOUSE Django
1.9	Fukuoka ROOMS
1.11	Saga THEATER CIEMA
1.13	Ginowan CAFE UNIZON
1.15	Naha Sakurazaka Central
1.20	Hiroshima Club Quattro
1.21	Takamatsu Sound Space RIZIN'
1.22	Okayama BLUE BLUES
1.27	Ise CLUB RHYTHM
1.29	Osaka JANUS
2.13	Kyoto RAG
2.17	Sapporo Sound Lab mole
2.18	Kutchan Be.
2.19	Asahikawa CASINO DRIVE
2.22	Nemuro Lounge Mugi
2.24	Teshikaga Tsujiya
2.25	Kitami UNDERSTAND
2.26	Kushiro Kamome Hall
3.2	Shibuya Club Quattro
3.3	Nagoya Club Quattro
3.5	Kobe ROUGH RARE

V.A. - 須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus II

2011-12-05T16:25:00.001+09:00

Label: Venus Records
Released: November 2011

Hot on the heels of the first CD, DJ Tatsuo Sunaga's second compilation exploring the back catalogue of Venus Records is now out. 須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus II ("Tatsuo Sunaga's Jazz Allnighters digs ...") features thirteen cuts of straight ahead jazz that mix original jazz standards with jazz versions of pop songs.

As with all Venus Records releases, the production and sound quality is superb, and you feel as though you're sitting in on some live studio performances. While Opus I focused on a poppier jazz sound, with covers of songs written by the like of Sting, Van Morrison and Earth, Wind & Fire, this second volume has a deeper jazz feel to it, with some great head-nodding numbers.

Opening with Ken Peplowski Gypsy Jazz Band's version of Topsy, a wonderfully upbeat slice of Django Reinhardt-style jazz, the album then continues in the same swinging mood, with the Harold Maybern Trio version of How Insensitive featuring Eric Alexander on tenor sax.

The five track sequence in the middle of the album is sheer magic and is worth the price of the album alone. It starts out with the Rob Agerbeek Trio offering a version of Tin Tin Deo, followed by the Joe Beck Trio giving Nica's Dream the guitar and Hammond organ treatment to great effect. From there we visit the Disney musical catalogue, with the legendary Stanley Cowell and his trio taking on A Whole New World to turn the big show number into a great dance track. Marilyn Scott keeps the dancers happy with her take on Ellington's Caravan, and the pentad of tunes is closed out with the Eddie Higgins Trio playing Reinhardt's Minor Swing.

Another solid compilation that will hopefully bring the music Venus Records to a wider audience. Tatsuo Sunaga has not yet finished exploring the label's archives, however, with Opus III out later this month and Opus IV due in January.

The Tokyo Jazz Notes Readers' Poll 2011 - Albums of the Year

2011-12-04T13:15:00.000+09:00

The second Tokyo Jazz Notes Readers' Poll is here, giving you the chance to vote on some of the best albums of 2011. There are three categories: Best Album By A Japanese Artist; Best Album By An International Artist; Best Compilation. Give your ratings below. You will need to scroll down within the window below to view all three questions.

The poll is open until December 23rd and the results will be posted shortly after the closing of the poll.

V.A. - TOKYO CROSSOVER NIGHT presented by The Beetle

2011-12-01T22:37:00.001+09:00

Label: Village Again
Released: November 2011

To coincide with the forthcoming Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festival (December 16th at The Garden Hall in Ebisu) DJ, producer and event organiser Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) has out together a compilation featuring some of the names who will be on the bill. As the name suggests the collection features a mix of different styles from out and out club sounds via soulful boogie to the jazzier end of the spectrum, acting as a perfect taster for what should be a top night.

There are two new versions of tracks from Shuya Okino's album Destiny, namely the Esel Quisqueya Soul Mix of Still In Love and the MdCL vs KJM Remix of the album's title track, both of which add new dimensions to what are already great tunes. In addition to this, Kyoto Jazz Massive fans will be delighted to find that there is a new track from them titled Mystery Of Ages featuring Bembe Segue on vocals, a top class tune that marks a welcome return for the Okino brothers.

US vocalist Paul Randolph will be performing live on the day and here he features on Brisa's wonderfully soulful Sentimental Man (Root Soul Remix), and ISOUL8's catchy Waves Of Love (Original Disco Mix).

Also worthy of a mention here is Yosuke Tominaga's heavy bass and drum workout titled Daytona, a raw and funky number that will no doubt do the business in the clubs. The Afro Mix of Root Soul's Fuselage sees the club favourite given the afrobeat treatment to great effect, and moving into the jazzier end of things you have a top dance number from Jazz Collective's titled simply The Jazz Collective (ultimate mix).

A solid compilation in its own right and also a great advert for next week's event.