A very compelling set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – one that draws on the electric traditions being forged at the time by artists like Miles and Joe Henderson – but which is also graced by the warm lyricism that was running through other Japanese jazz sessions of the 70s! Suzuki plays a surprising range of instruments – electric piano, cello, and bass – and his group displays an amazing ability to move into freely flowing numbers, then shift abruptly into sparer, subtler territory. The vibe of the record is quite unique – and group members include Kenji Mori on alto and flute, Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Samu Kawakami on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums – and one title features vocals from Mari Nakamoto. The tracks are on the longish side – and the titles include "Blue Road", "Where Are You Going?", "My One And Only Love" and "Orang-Utan". Great cover, too! CD

A very compelling set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – one that draws on the electric traditions being forged at the time by artists like Miles and Joe Henderson – but which is also graced by the warm lyricism that was running through other Japanese jazz sessions of the 70s! Suzuki plays a surprising range of instruments – electric piano, cello, and bass – and his group displays an amazing ability to move into freely flowing numbers, then shift abruptly into sparer, subtler territory. The vibe of the record is quite unique – and group members include Kenji Mori on alto and flute, Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Samu Kawakami on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums – and one title features vocals from Mari Nakamoto. The tracks are on the longish side – and the titles include "Blue Road", "Where Are You Going?", "My One And Only Love" and "Orang-Utan". Great cover, too! LP, Vinyl record album

A really great little set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – a rare player who goes way way past traditional modes of his chosen instrument, into richly creative territory that rivals the 70s experiments of Ron Carter! Like Carter, Suzuki's never content to just let the bass be a source in the background – and instead really foregrounds his wonderful work on both cello and acoustic bass – with a sprightly sound that's as groovy as it is rhythmic – a really great sense of flow that almost makes you feel the set's electric, even though Isao plays acoustic all the way through. The album also features great work by pianist Kunihiko Sugano – who hits some fuller notes that really crackle with energy, and which unleash a surprising amount of soul on the best numbers – and the quartet also features additional bass from Takashi Mizuhashi and drums from George Otsuka. Titles include the great title cut "Blow Up", plus "Aquamarine", "Like It Is", and "Low Flight". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great little set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – a rare player who goes way way past traditional modes of his chosen instrument, into richly creative territory that rivals the 70s experiments of Ron Carter! Like Carter, Suzuki's never content to just let the bass be a source in the background – and instead really foregrounds his wonderful work on both cello and acoustic bass – with a sprightly sound that's as groovy as it is rhythmic – a really great sense of flow that almost makes you feel the set's electric, even though Isao plays acoustic all the way through. The album also features great work by pianist Kunihiko Sugano – who hits some fuller notes that really crackle with energy, and which unleash a surprising amount of soul on the best numbers – and the quartet also features additional bass from Takashi Mizuhashi and drums from George Otsuka. Titles include the great title cut "Blow Up", plus "Aquamarine", "Like It Is", and "Low Flight". CD