A great little set from guitarist Shungo Sawada – a player who was Japan's answer to Wes Montgomery in the 60s – and went onto cut some really nice records in later years too! This album's definitely one of that batch – and has a sparkling quality that's very much like Sawada's best work from earlier years, but with a bit less bossa nova in the mix – and more of a strong focus on his own great solos over larger orchestrations. The approach is a bit like Wes Montgomery on Verve or CTI in the late 60s – and titles include "Sjungo", "Django", "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes", "Darn Dat Dream", and "Straight No Chaser".
(Special on-demand CD from Sony Japan – done in very limited quantities, as a way of reissuing these rare jazz gems – and still with full color artwork!)
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