Tadao Sawai, Hozan Yamamoto - Jazz Rock Koto / Japanese Folk Song

Year : 2020/1973

Label : Mr Bongo/RCA

Genre : Jazz, Folk

Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Rock, Min'yo

Originally released in 1973 on RCA, "Jazz Rock Koto" is actually the meeting between spiritual jazz with iconic japanese folk songs called "Min'yō", including funk elements, traditional japanese instruments use the shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and koto (national instrument of Japan). It features renowed koto players Tadao Sawai, Kazue Sawai on koto and the "Living National Treasure of Japan", Hozan Yamamoto on shakuhachi. They are supported by Norio Maeda (p) and his rhythm section with Takeshi Inomata (ds), Tatsuro Takimoto (b) and Sadanori Nakamure (g) plus Jake H Concepcion on saxophone. Titles include popular folk songs in Japan among "Soran Bushi", "Sado Okesa", "Hokkai Bonuta", "Kuroda Bushi", "Kiso Bushi" and many more.

New Stream In Jazz Vol. 13 ~ Japanese Jazz Meets Folk (Impressions Of The Far East)

 

Compilation series dedicated to the golden era of the Japanese Jazz scene through the years 60-70's. This volume focuses on the meeting between jazz with iconic japanese folk songs (Min'yō) and Eastern music including traditional japanese instruments use among shakuhachi (bamboo flute), koto, biwa and shamisen. It features the japanese legends Tadao Sawai (koto), Rinsyoe Kida (shamisen), Minoru Muraoka (shakuhachi), Kisaku Katada (taiko) and the "Living National Treasure of Japan", Hozan Yamamoto (shakuhachi), Akira Ishikawa, Kosuke Ichihara, Nobuo Hara, Norio Maeda, Toshiaki Yokota and Toshiyuki Miyama. Compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Hozan Yamamoto With Sharps & Flats - Beautiful Bamboo Flute

Year : 2019/1971
Label : Mr Bongo/Philips
Genre : Jazz
Style : Big Band, Folk, World, Fusion

Recognized as a “living national treasure” by the Japanese government in 2002, Hozan Yamamoto was the best known shakuhachi player outside Japan. "Beautiful Bamboo Flute" is the fourth collaboration between Hozan Yamamoto and saxophonist Nobuo Hara within his famous big band, after two albums as Sharps & Flats ("Sharps & Flats In Newport" in 1967, "New Jazz In Japan" in 1968), and one under his own name ("New Dimension Of Bamboo Flute" in 1968). The album is result of a clever mix between japanese folk music (called "Min'yō") and Jazz including Jazz Rock, Soul Jazz & Big Band styles, featuring arranger Masahiko Sato, guitarist Takao Naoi from Akira Ishikawa's Count Buffalos. Impossible to find original album nowadays, it was finally reissued by Mr Bongo Records.

MUSICIANS : Hozan Yamamoto - bamboo flute - Nobuo Hara - tenor saxophone - Hajime Maekawa, Koji Suzuki - alto saxophone - Nobuyuki Morikawa - baritone saxophone - Masahiro Nakajima, Tadao Taniyama - trombone - Hiroshi Saba, Shuzo Morikawa - trumpet - Sadayasu Fujii - piano - Hiroshi Takeuchi - bass - Takao Naoi - guitar - Yoshio Nakamura - drums

Kosuke Ichihara & 3 L - Now Sound '75

Year : 2017/1975
Label : Deep Jazz Reality/Victor
Serie : HMV Project Re:Vinyl
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Fusion, Folk

Last testimony of Love Live Life (also known as 3L), japanese psychedelic jazz rock band born in full expansion of the japanese new rock era initiated by the Flower Travellin' Band (himself influenced by the Woodstock generation). Love Live Life's frontman Kosuke Ichihara is a japanese saxophonist, composer and arranger who evolved in famous Toshiyuki Miyama's New Herd big band, in groups Tokyo Ensemble Academy, Takayuki Inoue Band, Masami Kawahara & The Exotic Sounds, was sideman for japanese jazz songstress Maki Asakawa, Mari Nakamoto and played alongside pianist Masahiko Satoh or drummer Jimmy Takeuchi. Among  japanese works mixing Jazz, Rock with popular folk songs from different parts of Japan (Okinawa to Hokkaido), "Now Sound '75" is one of the finest production of the genre, including deep grooves, catchy bass line, synthesizer sounds floating, soundscapes with cinematographic atmosphere and oriental melodies, all played in a psychedelic mood. 

LOVE LIVE LIFE : Kosuke Ichihara - tenor saxophone, flute - Toshiaki Yokota - flute, saxophone - HiroYanagida - piano, organ - Masaoki Terakawa - bass - Kimio Mizutani, Takao Naoi - guitar - Chito Kawachi - drums - Naomi Kawahara - percussion

Norio Maeda & All Stars - Rock Communication "Yagi Bushi"

Year : 2017/1970
Label : Deep Jazz Reality/Teichiku Records

Serie : HMV Project Re:Vinyl

Genre : Jazz, Folk

Style : Fusion, Jazz Rock

"Rock Communication" is a concept fusion album by the piano master of japanese avant-garde (check his album "Revolution") featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kaoru Iiyoshi & Takeshi Inomata. As similar projects of drummer Akira Ishikawa, "Drum Yagibushi Drum" or saxophonist Kosuke Ichihara's "Now Sound '75" albums Norio Maeda revisits some popular standards of the japanese folk repertoire in the psychedelic rock style. During the late sixties and the early seventies, Norio Maeda collaborated as well as arranger and pianist to various jazz rock albums for eminent japanese jazz musicians among others the saxophonist Jiro Inagaki (This Is Jazz Rock), Akira Ishikawa (Bakishinba - Memories Of Africa) and Takeshi Inomata (Drum Method). 

MUSICIANS : Norio Maeda - piano - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - electric guitar - Mitsuo Murakami - rhythm guitar - Kaoru Iiyoshi - electric piano, Hammond organ - Mihiro Arai & Masahiro Arashi - bass - Koichi Uchida - vibes - Takeshi Inomata & Takahiro Suzuki - drums - Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet - Shigeo Suzuki - flute, piccolo, clarinet, alto sax

Various - Saigon Supersound 1965-75

 

Year : 2017
Label : Saigon Supersound
Genre : Pop, Rock, Latin Jazz, Folk
Style : Latin, Funk/Soul

Saigon Supersound, the compilation which brings together some lost vietanmese pop songs recorded between 1965 and 1975, when US army was stationned in the South Vietnam, a period considered as the golden era of popular vietnamese music. Americans brought with them Rock 'N' Roll and Soul music to Vietnam, which influenced local artists and popular singers such as Carol Kim who integrated it to the standard vietnamese songs repertoire (melancholic and love themes), all developed in opposion of communist revolutionary music. Marked by the american way of life, some young bands were formed like the Dew Drop or The Dreamers. They performed in the G.I. Clubs integrating western rock as well as funk/soul elements to their music, but not only, their songs included also latin rhythms such as Rumba, Tango and Cha Cha Cha.

DISC 1 :  Carol Kim - Tình Ta Như Lửa Đơm Hoa / Hùng Cường & Mai Lệ Huyền - Sống Cho Nhau / Duy Quang & Thái Hiền - Mộng Về Quê / Thanh Vũ - Nếu Mình Còn Yêu Nhau / Connie Kim - Lý Luận Tình Yêu / Hòa Tấu - Phố Đêm / Phượng Mai - Mùa Xuân Gửi Em / Khánh Ly - Diễm Xưa / Kim Loan - Căn Nhà Ngoại Ô

DISC 2 : Thanh Thuý, Văn Thanh, Hoàng Liêm & Thanh Mai - Đoàn Người Lữ Thứ /Kiều Oanh - Đêm Cuối Cùng / Thanh Lan, Châu Hà & Thanh Mai - Hát Mừng Xuân / Mai Lệ Huyền - Có Ai Trên Đời Mà Không Yêu / Vân Sơn & Thùy Dung - Chọn Mặt Gửi Vàng / Hoàng Oanh - Mùa Gặt Mới / Thanh Lan - Tình Đêm Liên Hoan / Phương Dung - Vòng Tay Giữ Trọn Ân Tình / Ngọc Giàu - Câu Vọng Cổ Chúc Tết 

Toshiaki Yokota, Primitive Community ~ Primitive Community

 

Year : 2013/1971

Label : Think! Records/Toshiba
Genre : Jazz, Folk
Style : Jazz Rock  

"Primitive Community" (Genshi Kyodotai) is a collective especially formed for a mystical project out from the Yoshiaki Yokota's mind. In the same way of his previous project "Flute Adventure" by The Beat Generation, ranging from Free Jazz to Rock by Folk, it consists of a sophisticated avant-garde fusion, a kind of theatrical play speaking in ethnic music with African inspirations including psychedelia, hypnotic tribal percussions, fuzz guitar & acid organ. Titles include only originals compositions arranged by Yokota plus one cover of The Beatles ("Flying"). It features Toshiaki Yokota (indian, alto & bass flute), Shunzo Ohno (trumpet), Yusuke Hoguchi (Hammond organ), Kimio Koizumi (eb), Kimio Mizutani (eg), Chito Kawachi (ds), Tadaomi Anai, Larry Sunaga & Yoshinori Nohmi on percussions.

Fabiano Orchestra - Butterfly Island

Year : 2013/1980
Label :  Superfly Records/Franck R. Records
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Fusion, Créole

Superfly Records reissue of rare French West Indies treasure recorded in Guadeloupe & mixed at Platinium Factory, New York. "Fabiano Orchestra" is a Jazz Créole-Fusion  group based in Guadeloupe featuring drummer/percussionist Jean-François Fabiano surrounded by Caribbean and prestigious american jazz musicians including Bunny Brissett (former chorist for the Sly&Robbie band), Clifford Jordan (flute), Hannibal Peterson (trumpet), Carter Jefferson  from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (saxophone). Titles the killer jazz funk tune "Half Moon Bay", "Fo Ça Changé" & "Pointe Des Châteaux", both played in the typical Jazz créole style, the gwoka (Guadeloupe folk) "Créole", and the pure reggae rockers "Rastaman Rock" featuring Bunny Brissett.

Nobuo Hara And Sharps & Flats - Double Exposure

Year : 1970
Label : Liberty
Genre : Jazz
Style : Big Band, Modal, Funk/Soul, Folk

A project mixing Jazz with Oriental expressions by the most famous Japanese Big Band featuring the great "Lady of Jazz", pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi as arranger and composer. As the Count Basie Orchestra, "Sharps & Flats" has been a springboard for many outstanding japanese jazz musicians like Hiroshi Suzuki (tb), Takao Naoi from The Count Buffalos (eg), Toshihiko Ogawa (p), Hiroshi Takeuchi (b), Koji Suzuki (as) or Teruyuki Fukushima (tp), all playing on "Double Exposure". Toshiko brings her contribution with four own compositions : "Let's Roll In Sake" including dynamic drums breaks, the oriental piece "Sumie", "Fool" & the extended bluesy tune "Double Exposure". Titles also include "Ostinatism" & "Lonely Girl Of East" composed by Eiichi Fujii.

Minoru Muraoka - Bamboo

Year : 2014/1970
Label : Superfly Records/King Records
Serie : New Emotional Work Series
Genre : Jazz, Folk
Style : Folk, Jazz Rock, Min'yō

Minoru Muraoka was probably the best known shakuhachi player (traditional bamboo flute), with Hozan Yamamoto & Toshiaki Yokota (Sound Limited, The Beat Generation). He was among the first to mix Japanese folk with popular music, playing in particular with Herbie Mann ("Surprises" & "Gagaku And Beyond" in 1976). "Bamboo" is a crossbreeding between jazz, pop and Japanese folk music, recorded with a large ensemble of traditional instruments among shakuhachi, koto, biwa, shamisen and taiko, all performed by the New Dimension Group, featuring percussionists  Hiromitsu & Kisaku Katada (Original Soundtrack From Lupin The 3rd), Masako Hirayama on biwa, Kimiko Yamanouchi on koto. The album is divided in two parts with  first side that showcases the traditional Japanese instruments (in particular the percussions), while the other side opens on Pop/Rock orientation including an other rhythm section, The New Emotions, featuring Akira Ishikawa (ds), Yusuke Higuchi (org), Sadanori Nakamure (eg) & Jun Suzuki (eb). Titles include jazz standard "Take Five" (Paul Desmond), three original compositions with the folk song "Nogamigawa Funauta", his masterpiece "The Positive And Negative" (most sampled Minoru Muraoka's song), the iconic "Soul Bamboo", and various pop cover songs from The Beatles to The Animals by Simon & Gartfunkel.

Toshiaki Yokota & The Beat Generation - Flute Adventure

Year : 1971

Label : King Records
Serie : New Emotional Work Series
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz,
Style : Jazz Rock, Free Jazz, Bossa Nova, Psychedelic Rock

"Flute Adventure" is a concept album including latin jazz, progressive rock & free jazz, recorded by The Beat Generation lead by Toshiaki Yokota (indian, alto & bass flute) featuring Kimio Mizutani (eg), Larry Sunaga (perc), Sadanori Nakamure (g), Masaoki Terakawa (eb) & Hideo Ishikawa (keys). The Beat Generation is a japanese avant-garde jazz collective influenced by French symbolism, american counterculture and psychedelic rock. Toshiaki Yokota is part of these japanese pioneers who introduced some traditional flutes in modern music with Minoru Muraoka & Hozan Yamamoto, and was member others iconic jazz rock formations in Japan such as the Takeshi Inomata's The Sound Limited or the progressive rock band, Love Live Life. The first side is a tribute to the Arthur Rimbaud's poetry, called "Le Soleil Etait Encore chaud" including four tracks within a Jazz Rock suite including african rhythms, psychedelia and free improvisations. The side B takes us on board in a Brazilian journey from Bossa to Samba including original Yokota's composition "Ofélia", "Samba De Orfeu" (played in a Samba-Rock fusion), "Orfeu Negro (Manhã De Carnaval)", both composed by Luiz Bonfa, and a rock variation of "Reza" coupled with his "Ending Samba".

Nobuo Hara & His Sharps & Flats, Hozan Yamamoto - Sharps & Flats In Newport

Year : 1967
Label : CBS
Genre : Jazz
Style : Modal, World, Traditional, Big Band

Sharps & Flats lead by saxophonist Nobuo Hara meet Hozan Yamamoto, featuring Hiroshi Suzuki (tb), Koji Suzuki (as), Teruyuki Fukushima (tp), Toshihiko Ogawa (p) Hiroshi Takeuchi (b) among others. Hozan Yamamoto was the most famous shakuhachi musician (japanese bamboo flute), internationally renowned as pioneer for the traditional instruments introduction into modern music, in particular in Jazz. All tracks were extracted from recording sessions in studio under a replay form of their first live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1967. "Sharps & Flats In Newport" is the meeting between Jazz and the japanese folk music, including the bamboo flute on various tracks inspired by japanese traditional music and composed by Nobuo Hara (Hakone Mago Uta, Midare, Geisha Girl). Titles include also japanese jazz standard "Sakura Sakura", songs in the Buddy Rich Big Band style (Sohran-Bushi, Awa Dance) and the Bobby Timmons' classic "So Tired" played in the Bossa Nova mode. All tracks conducted by Nobuo Hara, arranged by Norio Maeda & Kiyoshi Yamaya.

Akira Ishikawa & His Group - Drum Yagibushi Drum

Year : 1971
Label : Crown
Genre : Jazz, Folk
Style : Jazz Rock, Psychedelic, Minyo

Volume 4 of five discs from the "DRUM DRUM DRUM" serie devoted to the iconic instrument, released on the japanese label "Crown Records", and recorded by Akira Ishikawa & His Group. Akira revisits the popular folk songs of Japanese culture from the best-known genres "Bushi" or the "Ondo". These two traditional japanese folk music genres are associated to various dances forms, by the using a set of traditional japanese drums and percussions such as the taiko. The group plays a clever fusion mixing world music, jazz & psychedelic rock including heavy drum solos with modern and traditional instruments.

Hiromasa Suzuki - Rock Joint Biwa ~ Kumikyoku Fulukotofumi

Year : 1972
Label : RCA
Serie : DYNAGROOVE
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, World Music, Psychedelic Rock

"Rock Joint Biwa", is the first part of experimental musical project, the unfinished trilogy of pianist Hiromasa Suzuki called "Rock Joint", mixing Jazz Rock with Oriental music featuring Akira Ishikawa, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kunimitsu Inaba and Takeru Muraoka. The album is a psychedelic work based on the "Kojiki" (also called Fulukotofumi), a compilation of myths, legends and oral traditions from the ancient Japan. Recorded during the same session as the "Rock Joint - Cither", the album showcases japanese traditional instruments including wadaiko and biwa played by Akira Ishikawa & Kuifumi Miyake. Titles include the musical piece for biwa, "Yamatoshi Uruwashi", "Hi No Kawa" featuring the Tamaki Quartet, from heavy-metal (Ananiyashiewotomewo) to smooth-jazz (Watatsumi No Irokonomiya). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

MUSICIANS : Hiromasa Suzuki - piano, electric piano - Kunimitsu Inaba - bass - Hideo Sekine - drums - Kuifumi Miyake - biwa - Akira Ishikawa - wadaiko - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Takehisa Suzuki - trumpet - Takeru Muraoka - tenor saxophone - Tadataka Nakazawa - trombone - Tamaki Quartet - strings

LISTEN SAMPLE

Shing02 - Wankyoku

Year : 2008
Label : Mary Joy Recordings
Genre : Hip-Hop, Reggae
Style : Conscious, World, Folk, Spoken Word

Hip-Hop masterpiece by japanese rapper and multi-instrumentist, settled in Oakland, Shing02 featuring saxophonist David Boyce (both from the jazz trio "Kosmic Renaissance"), jazz songstress Emi Meyer, shakuhachi player (bamboo flute) Philip Gelb, Kakushin Nishihara (biwa), Doc Max (keys), Junzo (eg), Motoki Yamaguchi (ds). "Wankyoku" (means distortion) is an instrumental Hip-Hop album which doesn't use any samples, mixing spoken words with poetry, avant-garde jazz, funk and pop with folk music including traditional japanese instruments (biwa & shakuhachi). Titles includes Jazz with Far-East folklore music (the "Bijou" suite), Pop-Folk ("Wankyoku" feat. Emi Meyer), J-Pop (Houyou), Heavy Funk (Katsubou), Reggae Dub (Saikou, Shousou, Chotsugai) and pure Wu Tang Clan's expressions (Kushi To Kanzashi, Jukou). Written, composed by Shingo Annen (Shing02), orchestrated by Vector Omega.