One of the only albums we've ever seen from Japanese guitarist Yoshiaki Masuo – and an unusual record that features very small, spare groupings – either solo, or with some slight accompaniment from a set of musicians that includes Bob Mover on alto, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and David Lee on drums! The approach is almost like Jim Hall at his mellow best – although Masuo's got a different style on the instrument, but one that's open and expressive, even when laidback – so that there's plenty of color and life throughout, even at the gentler moments. The pairing of Mover's alto with guitar is especially nice – and titles include "Swing 42", "Reminiscence", "West Side Highway", and "Washington Square Blues". CD

One of the most beautiful albums of the 70s from pianist Richie Beirach – and in saying that, we don't mean to insult the rest of his other great American work! This set was done in Japan, and it's maybe one of Beirach's most obscure of the decade – but it's also a really special session that features the pianist in combination with two different musicians – guitarist Yoshiaki Masuo on side one, and trumpeter Terumasa Hino on side two – each artists whose contributions bring out a slightly different side of Beirach's sound! The guitar on side one highlights some of those spacious, airy notes that Richie brought to his beautiful ECM sides of the period – while Hino's use of both trumpet and flugelhorn emphasizes some of the darker tones of the piano, but in ways that are completely different than Beirach's work with Dave Liebman. One title is also just solo piano – and titles include "Yesterdays", "Mavrodaphne", "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair", "Zal", and "What Is This Thing Called Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A great one from guitarist Yoshiyaki Masuo – a record that seems to have all the cool glide promised by the cover and title! Yoshiaki plays guitar, but the album features loads of great contributions from other American fusion musicians too – including Dave Grusin, Richard Tee, and Mike Nock on keyboards – who all bring in these smooth, soulful styles that really make the record great – almost a crossover between Japanese fusion and some of the later CTI/Kudu Records modes. There's a bit of vocals on one track, but the album's all instrumental otherwise, and also features some guest guitar from Eric Gale. Titles include "Nature's Anthem", "Kirk Out", "Cracker Jack", "Treasure Island", and "Sailing Wonder". CD

An overlooked Sonny Rollins set from the early 80s – one that has him recording with a fair bit of guitar, but still staying very much in his best form as an improviser! The group here features both Bobby Broom on electric guitar, and Yoshiaki Masuo on acoustic and electric – both players who get in plenty of sound during the set, but always as a follow-up to Rollins' bold tenor voice in the lead. Remaining group members include Bob Cranshaw on electric bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums – and although the electric strings might normally make for a smooth sort of record, Sonny's sharper sound still brings plenty of edge – even when the rhythms of a few tunes get a bit bright. Titles include "My Little Brown Book", "Reel Life", "McGhee", "Rosita's Best Friend", and "Best Wishes". CD

One of Sonny Rollins' best albums of the 70s – a Japanese-only live date that features some excellent work on both tenor and soprano sax! The group has a really great feel – thanks to congas by Mtume and guitar from Yoshiaki Masuo – both of whom bring some new elements to Rollins' groove, alongside electric bass from Bob Cranshaw and drums from David Lee. Sonny's solos are all well-blown and quite extended – put together with a strong sense of fire, and a bit less of the hoke that could sometimes show up on other US domestic albums. Tracks are all long, and titles include "Powaii", "Moritat", "Alfie", and "St Thomas". CD

One of Sonny Rollins' best albums of the 70s – a Japanese-only live date that features some excellent work on both tenor and soprano sax! The group has a really great feel – thanks to congas by Mtume and guitar from Yoshiaki Masuo – both of whom bring some new elements to Rollins' groove, alongside electric bass from Bob Cranshaw and drums from David Lee. Sonny's solos are all well-blown and quite extended – put together with a strong sense of fire, and a bit less of the hoke that could sometimes show up on other US domestic albums. Tracks are all long, and titles include "Powaii", "Moritat", "Alfie", and "St Thomas". This 2CD version features a full bonus disc of previously unreleased work from the concert – 3 titles that include "Hold Em Joe", "Sais", and "God Bless The Child". CD

One of the more obscure albums by this great reedman – recorded live, and with a loose feel that really points towards his changes to come in the 70s! The album's got a lively vibe that's quite a change from some of Watanabe's albums from a few years before – longer tracks, lots of new ideas, and a style that's really stretching out – yet never too far outside too. Sadao plays both alto and soprano sax – and the group features some especially great guitar from Yoshiaki Masuo – a musician who sometimes explodes in these sharp chromes, with a vibe that might have been right at home on a Gary Burton record from the late 60s. The rest of the group features Yoshio Suzuki on both acoustic and electric bass and Fumio Watanabe on drums – and titles include "Granny's Samba", "No More Blues", "This Guy's In Love With You", and "If I Said The Sky Was Fallin". LP, Vinyl record album

A great album from one of the greatest Japanese reedmen of the 70s – a player who's not that well known on our shores, but who served up a run of great little records like this at the time! Kosuke Mine has this sound that's sharp, but extremely fluid too – a way of running fast with lots of notes, each of which feels individually shaped with a nice sort of edge – but at a level that all works together beautifully, and which retains a very soulful, spiritual approach! The tracks here are all nice and long – a perfect showcase for his inventive, imaginative approach on alto and soprano sax – with nice solo elements from Takashi Imoi on trombone, held together by some great guitar lines from Yoshiaki Masuo, who plays with this style that's a lot more like a keyboard overall. Titles include "YM", "Brother In Law", "Striped Slacks", and "Chin San". CD