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An overlooked gem from trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith -- an early 80s session, but one that we'd rank with some of his most-together work ever! The album's a mixture of spare modes and some surprising group elements -- a set that often has Smith blowing beautifully on trumpet or flugelhorn, alongside... read more

Two recent sets from trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith -- each of them key proof that he's as inventive now as he was during his AACM years of the 70s! The first CD features work by Smith's Golden Quintet -- a group that has Wadada Leo on trumpet, plus Wijay Iyer on piano and synth, John Lindberg on bass... read more

Tone poems, improvisations, compositions and nicely orchestrated material from Warren Smith & his Composers Workshop Ensemble -- a pretty big unit, but with a pretty sweet swing to it, paired nicely with more out sounds! The balance in moods is key, as is the depth of material, from multi-suite... read more

Rare soundtrack work by jazz pianist Martial Solal -- featuring 10 tracks from his great score to Jean Luc Godard's A Bout De Souffle (issued in the US as Breathless), plus others from early 60s films by Orson Welles, Eduard Molinaro, Jean Becker, and Henri Verneuil. Together, the work comprises a... read more

Great solo piano work from Martial Solal -- inventive, imaginative, and filled with the kind of richly expressive sounds that Solal first brought to his music back in the 60s! Even at this later age, Solal's still a hell of a player -- and one who could set most younger pianists on their ear --... read more

Haunting duets between Alan Sondheim and Myk Freedman -- mostly played on acoustic string instruments, but coming across with a weird atmospheric sound! It's hard to describe the sound of this one accurately -- as the core instrumentation itself is often relatively abstract and improvised -- then... read more

Mostly original music from bassist Mark Sonksen -- a host of really wonderful little numbers, handled with great depth and sensitivity by a trio that also includes Leandro Lopez Varady on piano and Andre Beasley on drums! There's a sound here that's as subtle as the image on the cover -- but one... read more

A hip combo with a very old school approach -- one that's a mix of soul jazz and instrumental funk modes, served up with classic instrumental styles! The group's leader plays some very mean trombone -- as gritty as Fred Wesley at points, but with a more fluid jazzy feel at others -- and the rest... read more

Great stuff from one of those groups who just keep on grooving over the years -- always hitting hard with their own unique take on deep funk! We first loved Soulive back when the group were issuing music on self-produced CDs -- and they've really come a long way in their sound, and have learned a... read more

A very cool little combo -- one that only features piano, bass, and drums -- but grooving with a range of funky and jazzy sounds -- often with a heavy focus on rhythm! The piano really seems to lead off most tracks -- leaping boldly with some really hard notes from the left side of the keyboard --... read more

Wicked work from the legendary Melvin Sparks -- 2 of his rare post-Prestige sides for the short-lived Eastbound jazz label! Texas Twister is one of Melvin's funkiest albums ever -- done in a style that's even harder and rawer than his work for Prestige! The sound is lean and often a bit rough... read more

Hard swinging work from James Spaulding -- still sounding great after all these years! Spaulding's in perfect company here -- with Ronnie Matthews on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums, plus horn work by Dan Faulk and Don Sickler, next to the range of flute and alto work... read more

A great take on the music of Thelonious Monk -- recorded with special sensitivity by reedman James Spaulding, who ensures that the sound goes way past the usual Monk-styled outing! Things start out in relatively familiar territory, but as the record progresses it really opens up -- as Spaulding... read more

Great work from James Spaulding -- one of the few players of his generation who actually got better with age! As he was in his classic 60s Blue Note recording sessions with other leaders, Spaulding is a hell of a group player -- extremely sensitive to the other members of his groups -- both able... read more

Supremely heavy work from organist Leon Spencer -- one of his classic jazz funk sessions for Prestige Records, and a record that shows him opening up his sound a bit more than before! The album has Spencer working in a few different lineups -- some with small groups that feature Melvin Sparks on... read more

Rare work from a really unique group in British jazz -- one that takes older players from the hardbop generation, such as Tubby Hayes and Phil Seamen -- and has them jam with younger musicians who have a very outside, freewheeling approach! The album features two long tracks -- both live studio... read more

A cool little album from the Kansas City scene -- a mix of jazz, soul, and vocals -- played by a mixed group that includes organ, guitar, vibes, and percussion! The sound is swinging soul jazz, but with vocals out front at times -- and the sound is nicely rough around the edges, hardly the... read more

An amazing set of funky moog from Robert Mason -- a record that takes the instrument far away from silly pop song covers, and into the range of cosmic 70s fusion! The album's got a really powerful sound that even blows away the earlier Stardrive album on Elektra -- and mostly features Mason going... read more

Massive massive work from Starship Orchestra -- a trio of talents from the Norman Connors universe, but one who get some heavy help in the studio from arrangers Bobby Lyle, McKinley Jackson, and Jerry Peters! There's a real Aquarian Dream sound at play here -- all the best energy of Connors'... read more

One of the coolest steel bands we've ever heard -- a London-based combo who mix together a wide array of Caribbean rhythms! The group were first brought together as something of an educational effort -- a way to school kids on the post-colonial scene about the rich heritage of rhythms from the... read more

One of the first albums ever from ultra-cool flute man Jeremy Steig -- a jazz album at its core, but one with some rock and folk elements as well! The instrumentation is heavy on Steig's funky flute -- already blown here with that breathy quality that would come out even more strongly on later... read more

Tenorist Grant Stewart takes on the music of Ellington and Strayhorn -- but in a sweet small combo mode that's nicely swinging, and a lot more relaxed than the standard Ellington mode! The tunes have a strong focus on Stewart's rich tenor tone -- blown in an easygoing, open way -- but with a great... read more

A soulful little album from saxophonist Grant Stewart -- one that's made even better by the appearance of Eric Alexander on two of the tracks in the set! The core group here features guitar, piano, bass, and drums -- with Stewart in the lead, blowing tenor in a deep-toned way that clearly draws on... read more

Beautifully-recorded later work from Sonny Stitt -- a record that's got the crispness and poise of his classic work on Roost, with perhaps a bit of the warmer soul he'd picked up in the 70s -- yet laid out in a way that's different from some of his American albums too! The set's a special date... read more

Late work by Sonny Stitt on Prestige -- 2 albums with a really great feel! Going Down Slow has Sonny hitting a groove that's a bit more laidback than some of his funkier albums for Prestige, but one that's still pretty darn great overall! The sound is almost in a Stanley Turrentine mode at CTI --... read more

2 classic Stitt albums back to back -- Turn It On and Black Vibrations, both recorded during his early 70s funk years at Prestige! Turn It On is very firmly the funky Prestige sound of the early 70s -- complete with Idris Muhammad on drums, organ by Leon Spencer, guitar by Melvin Sparks, and... read more

Two Sonny Stitt dates with organ -- both from different ends of the 60s! First up is Soul Shack -- a mellow burner, and a real classic from the early 60s soul jazz years of Prestige Records! The album brings together the saxes of Sonny Stitt (both alto and tenor) and the Hammond of Jack McDuff --... read more

Two organ/sax cookers back to back -- both featuring Don Patterson and Sonny Stitt! First up is the wonderful album Brothers 4 -- a mighty pairing of organist Patterson and saxman Stitt -- one of Don's grooviest late 60s outings, thanks to an excellent sound from all players involved! Stitt plays... read more

A beautiful little fusion set from guitarist John Stowell -- one that dances along at a really breezy pace, thanks to a nice "bottom" from drummer Billy Hart and percussionist Dom Um Romao! Stowell's practically by himself at the top of the set -- playing with amazing control of the... read more

Soulful jazz from the German scene of the 60s -- a sweet little album that features pianist Walter Strerath in three different settings! Strerath is already great on the trio tracks -- mixing 60s soul jazz modes with some of the groovier, more rhythmically open modes of the European scene at the... read more

Guitarist Havard Stubo is one of the freshest talents working in the contemporary Scandinavian scene -- and that's saying a lot, given the great company he's had on some of his recent releases! This date has a great balance between free ideas and straight ahead swing -- a groove that's overflowing... read more

A brilliant reworking of the ideas of Wes Montgomery -- taken into some really fresh territory by guitarist Havard Stubo, but in ways that still retain all the best sense of tone, color, and space that made Montgomery's music so great! The group here is a trio -- with Daniel Franck on bass and... read more

Killer live work from Stuff -- recorded beautifully here in a 1976 performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival -- right during the same stretch as their classic albums of the 70s! The sound quality is great, and the group is razor-sharp -- grounded by wonderfully strong drum work from Steve Gadd,... read more

A classic collection of work by Stuff -- a crucially important group in their time! The ensemble was comprised of players who'd cut their teeth in jazz, fusion, and studio work during the early 70s -- artists like Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree, and Richard Tee -- all of whom came together... read more

Beautiful new work from one of the most enigmatic jazz talents to ever come from the Philly jazz scene of the 70s -- guitarist Monette Sudler, also quite an interesting singer as well! Monette's got a gritty, almost soul-based tone in her guitar -- which seems to use some extra processing this... read more

A really sweet groover from obscure guitarist Monette Sudler -- one of the few female players of the instrument we recall in 70s jazz! The set's got a freewheeling approach that's a bit spiritual soul jazz, but also has some angular touches that put Sudler in territory of some of the freer soul... read more

Lovely work from this overlooked Japanese pianist -- a really great player who hits some warmly soulful grooves in this mid 70s set! The album features Kunihiko Sugano's trio working with an extra percussionist -- a player who doesn't step in much, but who manages to bring a special sort of sound... read more

A great little Pretige blowing session album -- featuring long long tracks, played by 2 groups of different players, both led by trumpeter Idrees Sulieman! Side one features the track "Roots" -- a great laidback groover played by a sextet that include Sulieman on trumpet, Pepper Adams on... read more

A brilliant session from trumpeter Charles Sullivan -- a player who's only recorded a handful of dates as a leader, all of them great! This album's got a unique history, in that it was issued both by the Inner City and Strata East labels in the 70s -- and overall, it's got a vibe that's right up... read more

Masterful funky soul jazz from the mid 70s -- and one of the best solo albums recorded by Headhunter Bill Summers -- a sunny batch of Bay Area funk that really grooves with the best of Fantasy Records from the time! The set was produced by Skip Scarborough, and has that great bubbling, stepping,... read more

Definitely something tasty from the Super Jazz Trio -- a rare Japanese-only effort that has the combo joined by the mighty Art Farmer! Art plays flugelhorn on the date, and fits in wonderfully alongside the piano of Tommy Flanagan, bass of Reggie Workman, and drums of Joe Chambers -- a group who... read more

Really lovely work from John Surman -- an album that's got a bit more warmth than some of his other efforts for ECM -- a kind of slow-burning sense of soul that really takes us back to the label's genius in the 70s! The lineup is definitely an ECM-styled one -- with John Abercrombie on guitar and... read more

Brilliant work from this Japanese bassist -- a set that stretches out freely in post-Coltrane exploration -- wonderfully recorded, and done with a great balance in sound! Suzuki plays acoustic bass at the head of a group that includes Takehiro Honda on piano, Hiroshi Murakami on drums, and Kohsuke... read more

A wonderful group led by trombonist Steve Swell -- one that comes across with the fast-thinking creativity and the unbridled energy of some of our favorite "new thing" jazz from the 60s! Swell's trombone is joined by the alto of Jemeel Moondoc, bass of William Parker, and drums of Hamid... read more

Bracing work from a trio of young moderns -- Steve Swell on trombone, Rob Brown on alto sax, and Daniel Levin on cello! The album's partially under Swell's leadership, as half the tunes are his own compositions -- but some of the best numbers here are improvisations, which are equally weighted to... read more

Lew Tabackin looks a bit stiff on the cover of this one (who wouldn't, in a tan polyester suit?) -- but the record's a surprisingly hip date, and a great chance to hear Lew away from his 70s big band with Toshiko Akioshi! As the title and cover imply, the album features Tabackin's "dual... read more

Man, Lew Tabackin looks pretty darn freaky on the cover image for this one -- and although we're tempted to bill the record as his stag-like satyric fling away from his wife, Toshiko Akioshi is very much a key part of the session -- contributing some wonderful songs and piano lines to the album's... read more

A really classic-styled tenor date from reedman Kazunori Takeda -- a session that has the Japanese player working with trio backing from pianist Yosuke Yamashita, who also produced the record as well! Yamashita's got a very inside approach here -- laidback, and late nite -- which is a perfect... read more

A great group recording from pianist Horace Tapscott -- recorded in LA in the early 80s, but done with all the righteousness and spirituality of his earlier albums! Tracks are long and exploratory, but also relatively lyrical too -- stretching out with a style that's never too "outside",... read more

A surprisingly strong trio session from Horace Tapscott -- recorded in Santa Barbara in 1981, with a group that features Sonship on percussion and the great Roberto Miranda on bass! Miranda's tone is round and warm, and brings out some of the most soulful sides of Tapscott's playing -- even when... read more

An excellent double-length set from Horace Tapscott's Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra -- an extremely righteous ensemble that was one of the hippest things going on the LA jazz scene of the 70s! The vibe is free and spiritual, but it also has a wonderful groove pulsating underneath many of the tracks... read more

One of the best Horace Tapscott albums on Nimbus -- and one that features him playing with the Pan-African Peoples Arkestra, who give the session a much fuller feel than some of Horace's other sparer sets. The group's made up of some strong hip players from the LA underground -- and in a way, the... read more

2 great sessions pulled from the Swingville catalog of Prestige Records -- both of which feature heavy tenor sax from the great Buddy Tate! Yes Indeed was issued under the leadership of pianist Claude Hopkins -- and although it's a showcase for his skills on the keys, Buddy Tate also gets in... read more

Starkly modernist work from the overlooked Duane Tatro -- a wonderful writer with an incredibly fresh voice! Tatro flourished in the LA scene of the 50s, doing work for Stan Kenton and Red Norvo at the time -- but oddly, this album is one of the few documents of his work! Tatro's leading a larger... read more

A double-length set from Cecil Taylor -- one of his longest continuous performances on record, done during the height of his poetic explorations of the late 80s! As with other Unit sessions, this one features a tight quintet that includes Carlos Ward on reeds, Leroy Jenkins on violin, William... read more

A sharply focused session from Cecil Taylor -- one that's driven by plenty of his free flights on the keys of the piano, but which also receives key support from a larger group! There's a great match here between the dynamism of solo Cecil and some of the collaborations of his earlier years -- and... read more

Cecil Taylor's first LP for the Candid label -- and a landmark album that really lets him open up for the first time in years at a recording session! The album was cut at Nola's Penthouse in 1960, and the core group is Cecil's trio with Buell Neidlinger on bass and Dennis Charles on drums -- but... read more

One of the most righteous albums ever from saxophonist John Tchicai -- and that's saying a heck of a lot, given the depth of his other work! This rare late 60s date for MPS is a tremendous extension from Tchicai's earlier work, even his other European sessions -- as it features John recording with... read more

John Tchicai plays the music of Thelonious Monk, and a few of his own tunes too -- in a wonderful set that shows beautifully why we always look out for work from this enigmatic saxophonist! There's definitely a Monkish vibe to the record, but Tchicai's approach is often quite personal too --... read more

A great set of tracks from John Tchicai -- recorded with the raw energy of his best 60s work, and done with a two-bass lineup that's totally great -- an approach that propels the music into some bold new territory! The line-up features Tchicai on both tenor and alto saxes -- working in a quartet... read more

Brilliant work from Jimi Tenor and his Kabu Kabu group -- an incredibly righteous set that's easily the best we've heard so far from the soulful ensemble! In addition to the spiritual jazz vibe of before, the group's also picked up some influences from African soul and jazz too -- not just... read more

The greatest work to date from Jimi Tenor -- a set of tracks that really breaks from his earlier music, and transports him back to the righteous years of 70s soul jazz! Jimi's working here with the ultra-hip Kabu Kabu ensemble -- a large collective of players that includes horns from members of... read more

Less of a standard Duke Ellington tribute than you might expect -- as trumpeter Clark Terry works here in some wonderfully loose formation -- on tunes that are more of an extrapolation of Ellington ideals than simple copycat versions! The lineup features some especially great piano from Jack... read more

A great early date as a leader from trumpeter Clark Terry -- one cut during the stretch when he was keeping company with players like Thelonious Monk and Johnny Griffin! The latter player is a key member of Terry's group here -- as Johnny's tenor adds a nice sharp edge to Clark's trumpet -- mixing... read more

Sublime sounds from the legendary Jonny Teupen -- the harpist best known for his freaky sides for MPS, heard here in an earlier set of bossa nova tunes! The approach is quite unique, and really warmly wonderful -- Jonny's sweetly lyrical lines on harp, mixed with gentle bossa rhythms, and topped... read more

A sweet set of spiritual jazz funk -- recorded by this obscure group who were part of the same DC scene as Oneness Of Juju in the mid 70s! The ensemble's led by singer/pianist Clarence Young -- and has a very message-oriented approach -- sort of a blend of Roy Ayers-styled jazzy soul with touches... read more

A landmark set from the Swedish scene of the early 60s -- one that shows just how far that nation's jazzmen had grown during the postwar years! Trombonist Eje Thelin's always one of those talents worth checking out, but we especially like him in these early years -- as he's overflowing with fresh... read more

Eje Thelin is easily one of the most compelling trombonists on the European scene of the 60s and 70s -- and his genius really comes across strongly in this set of previously unreleased material! The album's got a spare trio format -- Thelin on trombone, Palle Danielsson on bass, and John... read more

One of our favorite Toots Thielemans albums ever -- and one of the few to really get right the same sort of groove that Toots' brought to his sessions with other folks during the 70s! The album's got a really laidback feel -- perfect for Thielemans' unique harmonica groove at the time -- a slinky,... read more

A rare Japanese fusion set from the legendary Toots Thielemans -- one that features his guitar and harmonica set up nicely with some Japanese players! Masahiko Satoh is the guiding force behind the set -- as his work on keyboards figures prominently on the record, and his arrangements really guide... read more

A beautiful live set from drummer Ed Thigpen -- a player who's continued to grow tremendously as the years move along, and who almost sounds better here in this recent recording than he did on any of his classic records! The performance features Ed alongside two younger Danish players -- bassist... read more

The Ebony Godfather cut this first album of funky flute right on the cusp of the 70's -- and it's one of his best albums ever of funky flute-driven jazz! The album's got an excellent groovy flute/organ sound, underpinned by tight rhythm backing, and a 2-guitar section that includes Jimmy Ponder. ... read more

Insane! This lost bit of avant funk was recorded live in St Louis in 1973 -- part of the Black Artists Group scene that was the city's answer to Chicago's AACM movement of the late 60s. Alto player Luther Thomas heads up the group, which features Charles Shaw on drums, JD Parran on reeds, Marvin... read more

Belgian guitarist Rene Thomas was one of the leading lights of the Parisian hardbop scene in the 50s -- and this is some of his greatest work from the time! The CD features 16 tracks pulled from a rare LP and ep -- and the work featuresThomas' guitar in the company of some of a lively quintet... read more

One of the few jazz albums on the short-lived Regina label -- a sweet little set from pianist Eddie Thompson, working here in trio formation with a very fluid touch! The tunes are mostly shortish, but Eddie's come up with some great originals for the set -- swinging with a mixture of the lyrical... read more

Wonderfully soulful grooves from the amazing Lucky Thompson! Despite the simple cover and title, this is a very nice set that brings together some of Lucky Thompson's excellent soulful recordings for the Groove Merchant label during the early 70s. Thompson started out his career as a more... read more

Prime mid 50s work from Lucky Thompson -- recorded in Paris with the group of drummer Dave Pochonet, and featuring tracks that are longer than usual for a Thompson session! Thompson is on tenor throughout -- and the other players include either Henri Renaud or Martial Solal on piano, Michel De... read more

Some of Lucky Thompson's rarest work from the 50s -- and some of his best! The American tenorist is working here in two different French groups -- one a quintet with Henri Renaud on piano, the other a tentet with the core quartet of Renaud, plus some additional local horn players. Unlike some of... read more

Rare French material from Lucky Thompson -- and a set of tracks that really shows a lot of artistic growth overseas since his better-known Paris dates of the mid 50s! The setting is relatively spare -- a quartet with Martial Solal on piano, Peter Trunk on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums -- and in... read more

Great Parisian recordings from Lucky Thompson -- cool cuts from the mid 50s, done with the combo of drummer Gerard Pochonet! The sound here is great -- in that although Lucky's blowing tenor, he's already showing signs of some of the phrasing he'd pick up more on soprano sax -- kind of a light,... read more

Genius work from Lucky Thompson -- some previously unissued sides from that tremendous time when he was really changing up his sound! The work here is from the same period when Lucky returned to the US after some key years in Europe -- and the overall feel is very similar to his sublime recordings... read more

The mighty Monk Higgins works some amazing magic here with the Three Sounds -- taking them way past their standard trio modes of the 60s, into some really funky territory overall! The set's a definite symphony of soul -- not just because the first side features a super-extended, suite-like tune --... read more

A very spiritual jazz session -- recorded by a hip group that includes Byard Lancaster on sax and Khan Jamal on vibes! The group's kind of a mixed vocal/instrumental one -- an ensemble that features equal emphasis on vocal harmonies and instrumental musings -- all with a sound that's quite unique!... read more

A nicely done compilation that features some of the best early 60s work by soul jazz piano legend Bobby Timmons -- a killer player who really set the jazz world on fire at the time of these recordings! Most of this material was recorded around the same stretch that Timmons was working with Art... read more

A real standout set from Bobby Timmons -- one of his few non-trio sessions as a leader, and a record that crackles with the same sort of energy he brought to his work with the Jazz Messengers! Of course, that's no surprise -- as the quartet on the set includes Bobby's boss at the time, drummer Art... read more

Keyboard and charismatic vocals centered grooves from Uruguay -- and bit of Serge Gainsbourg styled heavy exotic moody sounds! Armando Tirelli was also the keyboard player composer from South American jazz rock combo Sexteto Electronico Moderno, and this rare solo record is purportedly a fairly... read more

A handful of different Cal Tjader moments from the Monterey Jazz Festival -- a frequent setting for Cal's live talents, given his close proximity as a member of the Bay Area scene! The core material here is from Tjader's 1958 performance -- featured here in 5 tracks that include Vince Guaraldi on... read more

Not the sort of stodgy affair you might think from the "concert" in the title -- and instead a relaxed, nicely-grooving little set -- recorded by Cal Tjader in the very familiar territory of the Blackhawk night club in San Francisco! The recording quality is less live than other Tjader... read more

Rare work by Cal Tjader -- recorded in 1960, and unissued for years! The album's in a similar format to some of Cal's other excellent live sets for Fantasy from the time -- with tracks that are more stretched out than usual, opening up in a Latiny groove with more room for solos, and more... read more

2 generations of work from vibist Cal Tjader -- a session recorded in the 50s, and a session from the 70s -- back to back on a single CD! First up is the landmark Cal Tjader Trio album from 1951 -- one of Cal's first dates ever, and a sublime little set with piano from Vince Guaraldi! Even though... read more

A killer set by Cal Tader -- every bit as great as some of his best work from earlier years! The album was recorded with a small tight combo -- one that features the great Mark Levine on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes, plus flute and percussion by Roger Glenn, and congas and percussion by... read more

2 totally great Cal Tjader electric albums -- both recorded originally for the Skye label, and back to back on one CD! Cal Tjader Plugs In is a beautifully plugged-in, turned-on session from Cal Tjader -- one that features the funky vibist alongside some sweet Fender Rhodes! The session was... read more

A nice 2-fer that reissues two early Cal Tjader albums for Fantasy -- Concert On The Campus and Cal Tjader (the 1960 LP, not the later one.) Both albums feature Cal's vibes set up in a piano and percussion mode -- a bit like work by the George Shearing group, but with a hipper sound, and more of a... read more

One of Cal Tjader's best albums ever -- and a sweetly electric side that features Joao Donato on organ and Gary McFarland on vibes! The record is a brilliant extension of Cal's styles at Verve -- a bit of Latin, a bit of jazz, with some easily grooving numbers that have just the right dose of funk!... read more

Japanese percussionist Masahiko Togashi has given us plenty of outside work over the years, so this album's a real surprise -- a set of straighter boppish numbers, played with a small combo arranged by Masahiko Satoh! Satoh plays piano in the quartet -- which also features Nobuyoshi Ino on bass... read more

A mid 70s live recording by Japanese percussionist Masahiko Togashi -- performed with help from a larger group that includes Sadao Watanabe on reeds, Masahiko Satoh on percussion, Shigeo Suzuki on reeds, and extra added percussion. Tracks are long and exploratory -- usually beginning with spare... read more

Pretty outside stuff from the duo of percussionist Masahiko Togashi and pianist Yosuke Yamashita -- a record that leaps from the gate with the very first note, alive with creative improvisations between these two key players of the Japanese avant scene! There's a depth of tone here that we really... read more

A great trans-Pacific meeting of talents -- as Japanese reedman Hidefumi Toki works here with the Super Jazz Trio of Tommy Flanagan, Reggie Workman, and Joe Chambers! The set's got the open, flowing sort of sound you'd expect from a Japanese piano trio session of the time -- but it's made far... read more

Hidefumi Toki is easily one of our favorite Japanese players from the 70s -- an excellent alto saxophonist who always comes across with a sense of soul that's even deeper than his instrument! Toki has a way of putting together a session that's totally great -- relaxed and open, with a lot of... read more

A bit more ambitious than usual for the Tokyo Cuban Boys -- a killer set that really shows this Japanese ensemble at the top of their game! The grooves are still Latin, but they're locked together in suite-like formation -- almost recalling some of the larger jazz-meets-Latin experiments on early... read more