Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Akira Ishikawa by Be Hard Bop - The Count Buffalo ~ Memories Of A Drummer



This volume pays tribute to the legendary japanese drummer, Akira Ishikawa (1934-2002) & his Count Buffalos band who were prolific on the japanese Jazz scene from the late sixties to the end of the seventies. This compilation brings together various tracks recorded by Akira Ishikawa during this emblematic period, precisely between 1968-1975. Best known as bandleader for the Japanese version of rock musical ‘Hair’ from Broadway, Akira Ishikawa started in the mid-fifties when he joined the Akira Miyazawa's Modern All Stars and later the New Herd big band conducted by the saxophonist Toshiyuki Miyama. Akira was also an active member of various japanese Jazz formations such as Ace 7 or the famous 'Freedom Unity' quintet, formed with his friend pianist, Hiromasa Suzuki. After a trip in eastern Africa, Akira introduced several traditional African percussions in his music, in order to create a kind of Afro-Jazz fusion including Rock, Funk/Soul & Psychedelia as evidenced the "Bakishinba" and "Uganda" albums. Compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Pierre Dutour Et Son Orchestre - Dance And Mood Music Vol. 9


Year : 2009/1969
Label : Vadim Music/Chappell
Serie : Dance And Mood Music
Genre : Jazz, Music Library
Style : Jazz Funk, Soul Jazz, Pop

Iconic french music library record from the Chappell sessions, among the best of the serie, performed by french trumpeter & conductor, Pierre Dutour. In the early sixties, Pierre Dutour joined the "Jeunesses Musicales De France" conducted by Claude Bolling and later was enrolled by him in his sextet, he was also a regular sideman for french singer Nino Ferrer and worked for various french entertainers. Associated to his stooge, Jack Arel, for composing, he participated to various Chappell sessions recordings, but not only, the French Music Library labels "Patchwork" & "Telemusic" bear likewise his signature. Titles include "Tracking" (the reminiscent of Blaxploitation soundtracks), the furious jerk "Following You", the killer groove "Business Is Business" and "Leaving To-Morrow" sampled by Howie B. for the song "Switch" (extracted from "Turn The Dark Off" released in 1997). All tracks composed by Pierre Dutour & Jack Arel except High Fly, The Brass March by Garry Bellington.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

The Big Band Scope ~ Worldwide Brass Bands & Jazz Orchestra



Worldwide brass bands & jazz orchestra including Jazz Funk, Soul & Contemporary Jazz. This compilation highlights the masters of the discipline from US (Buddy Rich, Jimmy Smith, Oliver Nelson or Gil Evans), the most renowned japanese big bands among others the Sharps & Flats featuring Nobuo Hara, Toshiyuki Miyama & his New Herd or The Inner Galaxy Orchestra conducted by Bingo Miki and some european jazz brass bands (French composer Daniel Janin, Pete Moore and Ray Davies). All tracks recorded between 1964-1978, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo - Rock And Roll Revival


Year : 1970
Label : Teichiku
Genre : Jazz, Rock
Style : Jazz Rock

How many record have been released by Akira Ishikawa during the 70s decade ? I don't know but it's sure that the prolific career of Ishikawa, with his legendary Count Buffalo band, contains a significant number of rare groove records. No exception to the rule with "Rock And Roll Revival", an umpteenth cover album based on western rock hits including psychedelic nuggets, fuzz guitar & exciting drumming beats. Tiltes include rock classics from Bill Haley (Rock Around The Clock), Gene Vincent (Be Bop A Lula), Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock) or Little Richard (Lucille) and others variations on titles already recorded by Akira Ishikawa, previously released on "Rock, Rock '70" & "Drum Elvis Presley Drum" albums.

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