A really lovely little record from Japan – one that's got some slight elements of bossa nova in the backings, but also some European elements too – with a moody vibe that's really wonderful, and very much in keeping from the image on the cover! There's a strong current of melancholy that really makes the whole set shine – and the light vocals of Kazumi Yasui are somewhere in the late 60s territory of Nico and Astrud Gilberto, and almost given some Verve-like backings on the record from Kawachi Kunio, Makoto Kawaguchi, and others! Vocals and song titles are all in Japanese, but the record's got this universal appeal that's very different than so many other records of this type from the time. LP, Vinyl record album

All-star jazz from the Japanese scene of the early 60s – a record that's almost in the Verve Records jam session or JATP style – as it features some of the greatest players on the Japanese scene of the time, coming together on some really long tracks that take off in a beautiful way! The set features two cuts, each taking up a side of the record – and that leaves plenty of room for long solo contributions from musicians who include Sadao Watanabe on alto, Akira Miyazawa on tenor, Norio Maeda on piano, Takeshi Inomata on drums, Shungo Sawada on guitar, and Akira Nakano on trumpet. Players are different on each side of the record – changing things up nicely, to present the range of new Japanese jazz voices that were making the start of the 60s such a key part of the scene – and the titles include extended takes on "Moanin" and "Walkin". (Jazz, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

Poll winners from the Japanese scene of the late 50s – stepping out in a special live performance from the time! The album's almost got a Verve Records sort of feel – especially from the all-star tip – and tunes are more swing than bop, although there's definitely a few modern touches from time to time. Notes are all in Japanese, so it's hard to say who's on which cut – but the set features work from Eji Kitamura, Jimmy Takeuchi, Seiji Hiraoka, Akio Nagata, and others – on titles that include "Someday Sweetheart", "Moonglow", "Shine", "Sweet Lorraine", "Tendery", "Russo", and "Padam Padam". (Jazz, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album