An amazing history
of Japanese jazz, and another great testament to the impact jazz had on global cluture! The book covers the entire history
of Japanese jazz, from the first wave in the dancehalls
of the 1920s, to the amazing renaissance
of the 60s and 70s. It's a well-paced, incredibly researched, thoughtfully laid out story that we are glad to have had the opportunity to enjoy – with a lot history
of that is deeply neglected in the Dusty Groove half
of the world, if not everywhere. There are life stories
of passionate, unrecognized musicians that mirror those in other parts
of the world, as well as those unique to the Japanese experience. Atkins understands the artistic impulses
of the musicians and followers, which is essential to the book's appeal to music freaks like us, but he's also an accomplished historian with a great capacity for conveying the nationalist cultural big picture. More than 350 pages, including the bibliography (which is worth the price alone) with a lot
of amazing photos that help push the narrative along at a fast clip, not unlike a great piece
of music!