As the sentimental mood hints at in the cover photo and album title, Akane Matsumoto’s 2015 release Memories of You shows a softer side with ballads and heartfelt tunes, set together with her well-renowned fluid bebop and happy jazz style. … Continue reading Akane Matsumoto: Memories of You
Memories of T is a 2017 recording from the group TCQ which brings together Japanese and Taiwanese musicians for a cross-cultural jazz collaboration. This quartet features Taiwanese alto sax player Shawna Yang and three musicians from Japan: Naoko Tanaka on … Continue reading TCQ: Memories of T
A satisfyingly neat outing, Naoko Tanaka Trio’s Memories (2015) leaves a fresh impression of modern Japanese jazz trios. The playing on this album is both playful and precise, with considered arrangements and decorations sprinkled through the welcoming music. Light touches … Continue reading Naoko Tanaka Trio: Memories
Jazz organ trio Aquapit’s first album from 2011 sets up the scene for a rollicking jazz party featuring the warm and fuzzy sounds of a funky jazz organ trio. The trio Aquapit consists of guitar, drums, and of course the … Continue reading Aquapit: Aquapit
Masako Kunisada’s spiritual, soulful voice channels truth and joy on her first album Wonderful Life from 2012. With experience singing in jazz clubs, piano lounges, and events across Japan, Kunisada immerses herself in cross-genre influences including jazz, soul, soft rock, … Continue reading Masako Kunisada: Wonderful Life
Kohsuke Mine Quintet’s 1993 album Major to Minor is full of life, a straight-ahead jazz outing built upon solid group unity and stimulating jazz improvisation. Mine (Mee-neh) is a living legend who started young, releasing his first album in 1970 … Continue reading Kohsuke Mine Quintet: Major to Minor
Chihiro Yamanaka’s second release When October Goes was released in 2002, a natural followup to her impressive debut Living Without Friday released the prior year. This second album features the pianist playing with new recording members Larry Grenadier on bass … Continue reading Chihiro Yamanaka Trio: When October Goes
Live fuse is a 2007 live album from fuse, a modern jazz quartet headed by Toshihiko Inoue on sax, with Nobumasa Tanaka on piano, Benisuki Sakai on bass, and Tsunoken on drums. This two-disc album was recorded live in 2005 … Continue reading fuse: Live fuse
The piano and cello duo Arco released their second album Birth in 2019, two years after their debut Asymmetry, showing grace and refinement in a matured and eternally sunny outlook. Opening with overdubbed cello playing a classical Bach theme, the … Continue reading Arco: Birth
Jazz bassist Motoi Kanamori’s My Soul Meeting from 2018 is his album debut as leader, where his jazz group rips and swings through eight tracks of modern piano trio jazz. With a polished, fun touch, the group delivers mid- and … Continue reading Motoi Kanamori: My Soul Meeting
Agora is the 2011 debut release from vocalist Yuka Ueda, who specializes in Brazilian samba and bossa nova music, singing in Portuguese at jazz bars and spots throughout Japan. The striking singer, also known as Yu~ka, Yũka, and Yuuka Ueda, … Continue reading Yuka Ueda: Agora
Among the modern J-Jazz piano trio mainstays in the collection, Harumi Nomoto Trio’s Belinda is a favorite album to return to for catchy cool original vibes with laid-back warmth. With both loose jams and well-crafted jazz compositions, the album ebbs … Continue reading Harumi Nomoto Trio: Belinda
Jazz quartet Bungalow issued an imaginative and flavorful debut album with Metropolitan Oasis in 2011. Striking and singular, the songs reward repeat listens by offering creative jazz compositions with stimulating blueprints. The songs ebb and flow with energy, grooves, and … Continue reading Bungalow: Metropolitan Oasis
The living music from vocal a cappella groups can be inspiring and soothing in turbulent times, with voices layered in harmony and synchronized timing for direct connections with each other and the audience. The five-piece group Baby brothers from Tokyo … Continue reading Baby brothers: Bb
Jazz pianist Syunichi Yanagi releases a shimmering modern jazz recording with his Tokyo trio on his 2012 debut Bubble Fish. The ten original songs from the pianist incorporate rock edginess and hip coolness into piano jazz with attitude. Modern jazz … Continue reading Syunichi Yanagi Trio: Bubble Fish