With George Garzone on saxophone. CD

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A seminal bit of Japanese rock from the early 70s – performed by a group that included Haruomi Hosono, and who has a style that borrows from the best of the LA scene of the late 60s! The tunes are extremely catchy – done in a folksy style that has compressed guitars and spacious production that evoke bits of The Byrds, Graham Parsons, Beau Brummels, late Association, and some of our other favorite work from those magical years. Lyrics are all in Japanese, but sung in a simple and compelling style that somehow makes you forget that fact! LP, Vinyl record album

A set of standards, but swung in a very inventive way by the Great Jazz Trio – a lineup here that features Hank Jones on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Billy Hart on drums! Both Vinding and Hart find a way to make the genius of Hank Jones sound even fresher than ever – not stale at the end of the 80s, but every bit as vibrant as in his earlier years – especially that moment in the 70s when it seemed like Jones was born anew, and able to both draw on the richness of his legacy, while also finding a new sense of expression overseas. This date takes off from that moment brilliantly, but also with a whole new sense of sound and shapes – on titles that include "Stella By Starlight", "I'll Remember April", "Stardust", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Tenderly", and "As Time Goes By". CD

An underappreciated solo record from guitarist Nils Lofgren – not a bad singer songwriter record, elevated big time by the stellar musicianship! Where the songs would come off as bit on the nose at face value, you get lost in the guitar playing and precision grooves of the band – particularly on the numbers produced by Al Kooper. Titles include "Cry Tough", "It's Not A Crime", "For Your Love", "Mud In Your Eye", "You Lit A Fire", "Jailbait" and more. CD

Funking around something old and something new – as the title says – and a pretty tasty set that has Les on keyboards and vocals, working with a quartet that includes drums, bass, and some nice sax licks from Keith Anderson. The sound's a mixed bag – with some tunes that hit a perfect late 60s Eddie Harris/Les McCann vibe – and others that get a bit mellower and play around the keys, plus one or two vocal numbers that kind of dip down a bit. Overall, though, the feel is fresh enough to warrant our attention, and even the older tunes are remade in some nicer new versions. Titles include "Maleah", "It's You", "Little Blue Volkswagen", "Compared To What", "With These Hands", "Cold Duck Time", and "Zora". CD

Sweet instrumentals from the Japanese minimal scene of the 80s, but work that's sometimes got some warmer touches than other material of the time – maybe a slight new age sensibility at points, but touched with a sentimental sense of melody that almost prefaces some of the later Ghibli modes! Akira Mitake plays all instruments – almost all electric, but with modes that resonate with an acoustic sense of space – especially on some piano bits, and occasional elements that almost feel like harp, or maybe a keyboard harp! Titles are all in Japanese, and they're all instrumental – and the album's got a spacious vibe that's very much in keeping with its cover. LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant live work from legendary Japanese saxophonist Akira Miyazawa – one of the first players on his scene in the 60s to forge something fresh and new – still going very strong here on this concert performance from the end of the 80s! The tracks are nice and lean – played by a quartet that features Harumi Takeuchi on piano, Shunsuke Takeuchi on bass, and Masahiko Kozu on drums – players who easily bow to the leadership of Miyazawa, and allow him plenty of room for these sharp-edged tenor solos throughout! Titles include long takes on "Baby Sea Horse", "Poor Butterfly", "On Green Dolphin Street", "If Ever I Would Leave You", "Billie's Bounce", and "I Can't Get Started". LP, Vinyl record album

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A great little session recorded in New York for the Jazz City label – with Larry Willis on piano, George Mraz on bass, Al Foster on drums, and guest alto from Kenny Garrett! Plus the CD includes an additional bonus track – the Larry Willis original "Ethiopia". CD