Lanfranco Malaguti - Parole, Parole... (1992)

Lanfranco Malaguti was one of the most popular Italian jazz guitarists. Originally from Rome, where he graduated from Sapienza and also grew artistically. He then lived in Fontanelle, in the province of Treviso, from 1978 to 2011, where he joined his activity as a mathematics teacher with that of a jazz musician. He participated in numerous radio and television broadcasts in Italy, composing some television theme songs for RAI. He participated in numerous reviews and jazz festivals and in particular with Enzo Pietropaoli and Fabrizio Sferra, in 1989 (as the only Italian jazz group), he played with this trio at the "XXI International Festival" of La Spezia and again in 1991 at the "International review" at the Orfeo theater in Milan. In 1989, with Enzo Pietropaoli and Fabrizio Sferra, he released Something, his best-known album, containing exclusively Beatles covers. Also, in 1989 he won the “Top Jazz” award for best new talent. For this album he joins forces with the exuberant tenorist Stefano D'Anna, his stalwart bassist Enzo Pietropaoli and powerful drummer Roberto Gatto. The album covers a broad range of contemporary Italian jazz and popular tunes and the quartet is in top form, clearly interpreting their national heritage with great emotion which demands further listening to truly appreciate the coming together of these wonderful musicians, enjoy! 

Splasc(H) Records, CDH 706.2, 2000
Recorded January, 1992 at Farm Studio's, Cessalto, Treviso, Italy 

Musicians:
Lanfranco Malaguti - Guitar
Stefano D'Anna - Tenor Saxophone
Enzo Pietropaoli - Bass
Roberto Gatto - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Parole, Parole... {Giancarlo Del Re, Gianni Ferrio, Leo Chiosso} (4:21)
02. Domenica Bestiale {Fabio Concato} (4:29)
03. Mi Sono Innamorato Di Te {Luigi Tenco} (6:06)
04. Che Cosa C'è {Gino Paoli} (5:26)
05. Amorevole {Pino Massara, Vito Pallavicini} (6:22)
06. Quando, Quando {Tony Renis} (4:24)
07. Estate {Bruno Martino} (4:05)
08. Margherita {Riccardo Cocciante} (7:05)
09. Anna Verrà {Pino Daniele} (4:09)
10. Soli {Bruno Canfora, Castellano & Pipolo} (6:21)
11. Frida {Fred Bongusto} (4:48)
12. Donne {Zucchero Fornaciari} (7:18) 

Total Time: 64:58 

Credits:
Producer - Lanfranco Malaguti
Sound Engineer - Maurizio Soranzo
Graphic Design - Luigi Naro
Photography [Cover] - Peppo Spagnoli
Liner Notes [English Texts] - Pete Kercher
Liner Notes [Italian] - Davide Ielmini 

Parole, Parole...

Yuji Ohno - Café Relaxin' Lupin (1999-2003)

A fine compilation of tunes by the Japanese master pianist and composer Yuji Ohno, not much to add just enjoy the versatile scope of his compositions for concert and theatre. 😊 

VAP Records Inc., VPCG-84819, 2005
#1,3,10,13 [2003]
#2,4 [1999]
#5,6,7,9,11,12 [2000]
#8 [2001] 

Tracks:
01. milchkaffee (3:06)
02. Theme From Lupin ['99 Version] (4:32)
03. Just Fall In Love (4:34)
04. REMEMBER (2:46)
05. Saudades Do Rio [More Lupintic Version] (5:03)
06. Across The Wind (4:24)
07. Isn't It More Lupintic? (4:10)
08. A Day Of The Town (3:05)
09. Cool Wave (2:16)
10. recherche (2:56)
11. ANGEL DANCE [More Lupintic Version] (5:47)
12. Lonesome City Breeze (5:52)
13. penisola (3:10) 

Total Time: 51:42 

Credits:
Producer & Composer - Yiji Ohno
Director - Shinya Yamada [NTVM], Kenichi Hoyama [VAP Inc.]
Design & Photography - Hiroaki Kitamoto
Illustration - Satoshi Hirayama 

Lonesome City Breeze

George Adams Quintet - Paradise Space Shuttle (1979, 2015)

Tenor saxophonist George Adams played with such verve and wit that virtually every solo he played was a delight. Unfortunately, as is the case here, he sometimes participated in contexts that didn't quite match the quality of his performances. Here, he's backed by a decent and sympathetic (if not always inspiring) rhythm section, and some of the tunes -- such as the tear-jerking "Send in the Clowns" -- are near perfect. Yet, one-third of this short recording is filled by a tune called "Funk-A-Roonie-Peacock," which, while a lot of fun, sounds like commercial filler. The saxophonist contributes a lengthy vocal, suitable for the disco but likely to disappoint many of his followers. Elsewhere, there's a sense of spontaneity that borders on informality, but Adams is excellent throughout. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Timeless Records, SJP 127, 1979
Solid Records, CDSOL-6321, 2015
Recorded 21st December, 1979 at Sound Ideas Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
George Adams - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Vocals (#6)
Ron Burton - Piano
Don Pate - Bass
Al Foster - Drums
Azzedin Weston - Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Intentions {George Adams} (4:47)
2. Send In The Clowns {Stephen Sondheim} (4:27)
3. Metamorphosis For Mingus {George Adams} (6:55)
4. Paradise Space Shuttle {George Adams} (4:12)
5. City Of Peace {Ron Burton} (6:49)
6. Funk-A-Roonie-Peacock {George Adams} (14:06) 

Total Time: 41:20 

Credits:
Producer - Arthur Barron, Hilton Ruiz, Wim Wigt
Executive-Producer - Theresa Del Pozzo
Recording Engineer - Bob De Caro, Jim McCurdy
Remastering Engineer - Toshiyuki Abe
Art Direction, Design - Dolphin Design
Design - Kaori Kobayashi, Kaoru Nagano
Photography - Jan Willemse, Joost Leijen
Liner Notes - Koji Ishizawa 

Funk-A-Roonie-Peacock

Bebo Ferra - Specs People (2012)

Specs People is the new work by Bebo Ferra who on this occasion chooses to make use of a trio completed with Maxx Furian on drums and Gianluca Di Ienno on Hammond organ to give life to a journey made up of originals, but also of trespassing into the rock sphere, with the cover of "Satisfaction," and film music, as evidenced by the melancholy version of "Gran Torino," all released by Paolo Fresu's Tuk Music. The electric guitar of the leader, seasoned with effects, very melodic, but if necessary ready to leave the decisive scratch, is the hallmark of the eleven pieces on the programme, in which, however, the Hammond organ also plays an important role, an instrument can go unnoticed for its typical sound that refers to vintage scenarios. The itinerary includes moments of apparent calm ("La Sagra Delle Quinte"), others of a more superficial and pleasantly light nature ("La Radio In testa") and shaded areas that manage to express important timbres and atmospheres ("Scuro"). A set that always keeps the surprise factor alive, so that the listener on duty is struck by the series of intuitions brought into play. Like that of dressing the Rolling Stones song with psychedelic sounds, cropped so as to keep the proverbial hook intact, or that of placing a couple of electronic pieces, such as the concluding "Il Quadro Della Farfalla," in a context that moves in a deliberately transversal way between distant styles and approaches. Specs People is a disc of sure interest, both for aficionados of the Sardinian guitarist, who in this episode presents himself in a captivating and very inspired electric guise, and for those who want a tour far from the usual. ~ by Italy Staff, AAJ. [Translated from Italian] 

Tǔk Music, CD 098, 2012
Recorded September, 2010 and mixed at Accademia del Suono, Milan, Italy 

Musicians:
Bebo Ferra - Guitar, Electronics [Live Electronics]
Gianluca Di Ienno - Organ [Hammond Organ], Electronics [Live Electronics]
Maxx Furian - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Scuro {Bebo Ferra} (5:11)
02. L'Alchimista {Bebo Ferra} (4:31)
03. 29 Aprile {Bebo Ferra} (7:14)
04. My English Brother {Bebo Ferra} (4:56)
05. Gran Torino {Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens} (4:43)
06. La Radio In Testa {Bebo Ferra} (5:00)
07. Topink {Bebo Ferra, Gianluca Di Ienno, Maxx Furian} (2:24)
08. La Sagra Delle Quinte {Bebo Ferra} (5:40)
09. Il Fabbro {Maxx Furian} (0:50)
10. [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction {Mick Jagger, Keith Richards} (8:32)
11. Il Quadro Della Farfalla {Gianluca Di Ienno} (2:11) 

Total Time: 51:19 

Credits:
Producer - Bebo Ferra
Executive Producer - Paolo Fresu, Timur Semprini, Patrizio Romano
Co-producer, Engineer, Mixing - Fausto Dasè
Assistant Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Gabriele Simoni
Graphic Design - Benno Simma
Photo - Roberto Cifarelli 

Scuro [Dark]

Masato Honda - Saxes Street (2015)

As of 2015, this is saxophonist Masato Honda's first full-length album in six years after transferring to Universal Music. A work that colored various songs with his own sound, from proprietary Hyper Fusion and Funk to jazz-style numbers. Session includes luxurious members such as Jun Kajiwara (g), Yuya Komoguchi (g), Keiji Matsumoto (key), Mitsuru Sutoh (b), and Hiroyuki Noritake (dr). Masato Honda delivers another vividly colorful album. Here he showcases a diverse range of original tunes joining together sounds of fusion and jazz funk combined in a wonderfully entertaining selection that suits a multiplicity of musical moods. Enjoy! 

GRP/Universal Music LLC, UCCJ-2126, 2015
Recorded at NK Sound Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Masato Honda - Saxophone (#1,5,6), Trumpet (#1,5), Flute (#2), Alto Sax (#3,7,8),
Soprano Sax (#4), Trombone (#5), Trumpet [muted] (#6), Flugelhorn (#6),
Programming [Synth], Arranger
Eric Miyashiro - Trumpet [last hi c] (#1)
Keiji Matsumoto - Keyboards (#1,5,7), Organ (#3), Piano (#4,8)
Satoru Shionoya - Piano (#2,6)
Jun Kajiwara - Electric Guitar (#1,3,5-8), Acoustic Guitar (#2)
Yuya Komoguchi - Electric Guitar (#4), Acoustic Guitar (#4), Electric Guitar, Soloist (#5,8)
Mitsuru Sutoh - Electric Bass (#1,4,7)
Inoue Yosuke - Acoustic Bass (#2,6)
Teppei Kawasaki - Electric Bass (#3,5,8)
Hiroyuki Noritake - Drums (#1,4,5,7,8)
Hideo Yamaki - Drums (#2,3,6) 

Tracks:
1. Seven (5:15)
2. Memories (6:04)
3. We're Of The Sun (5:00)
4. Pinocchio (5:09)
5. Beyond The Time (6:50)
6. JURAKI [Jurassic] (8:25)
7. Sax Street (6:32)
8. See You Tomorrow (5:32) 

All compositions by Masato Honda 

Total Time: 48:50 

Credits:
Producer, Director - Masato Honda
Recording & Mixing - Neeraj Khajanchi
Recording [Assistant] - Taishi Watanabe
Mastering - Hiroshi Kawasaki
Art Direction, Design - Akira Fueki
Photography - Masahiro Ihara
Management [Artist] - Mariko Onodera
A&R - Koichiro Azami 

Beyond The Time

Masa Matsuda, Yuji Ohno - Silent Dialogue (1979) [vinyl]

Here, we have a Japanese classic jazz-funk album by Masa Matsuda & Yuji Ohno and an amazing grouping of other top Japanese jazz musicians. It is soon to undergo a vinyl [Pony Canyon] record store day release on 22nd April, 2023. Be quick if you want to grab a limited-edition copy. In the meanwhile, here is my vinyl rip of the original pressing, enjoy! 

Canyon Records, C22R0028, 1979 

Musicians:
Masa Matsuda - Keyboards [Electone (GX-1, EX-1)]
Yuji Ohno - Keyboards [CP-80 etc.]
Koji Hatori, Mamoru Otake, Susumu Kazuhara, Yoshikazu Kishi - Trumpet
Eiji Arai, Shigeharu Mukai - Trombone
Jake H. Concepcion, Kiyoshi Saito, Takeru Muraoka - Saxophone
Shozo Nakagawa, Michiya Koide, Nozomu Nakaya, Yoshiharu Watanabe - Flute
Kiyoshi Hagiya, Takao Naoi - Electric Guitar, Flamenco Guitar
Akira Okazawa, Kazuya Sugimoto, Kenji Takamizu - Electric Bass
Koji Takeda - Drums
Fujio Saito, Ralee Sunaga, Tadaomi Anai - Percussion [Latin] 

Tracks:
A1. Midspace Action {Arr. Yuji Ohno;Yuji Ohno} (3:19)
A2. Kumasan-Sanpo {Arr. Masa Matsuda, Yuji Ohno; Masa Matsuda} (4:26)
A3. Perpignan {Arr. Masa Matsuda, Yuji Ohno; Masa Matsuda} (5:29)
A4. Lullaby {Arr. Masa Matsuda, Yuji Ohno; Masa Matsuda} (4:07)
B1. The Soaring Sea-Gull {Arr. Yuji Ohno;Yuji Ohno} (4:22)
B2. Cookie Dance {Arr. Masa Matsuda, Yuji Ohno; Masa Matsuda} (4:53)
B3. Twilight Shadow {Arr. Yuji Ohno;Yuji Ohno} (4:02)
B4. Mirage {Arr. Masa Matsuda; Masa Matsuda} (3:13) 

Total Time: 33:51 

Twilight Shadow

Ace Cannon - Sweet Dreams (1993)

Ace Cannon (5th May, 1934 - 6th December, 2018) American tenor and alto
saxophonist. Cannon was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2000. In May 2007, his hometown of Calhoun City, Mississippi hosted its first annual Ace Cannon Festival, and on December 9, 2008, he was honored with induction into the Mississippi Musicians' Hall of Fame. ~ from wikipedia.org. 

This album is testimony of his great talent and prolific contribution as a jazz musician.
Overall, a sweet easy listening jazz album covering some great popular tunes. 

WIRL Records, W-CD 383, 1993
Recorded & mixed at Easley Recording Studio, (ONYX) Memphis, TN 

Musicians:
Ace Cannon - Horn
Robby Turner - Keyboards, Steel Guitar, Percussion, Strings
Bobby Emmons - Keyboards, Strings
Reggie Young - Guitars
Mike Leech - Bass, Strings
Gene Chrisman - Drums, Percussion
Jennifer O’Brien, Michael Black, Judy Rodman - Background Vocals 

Special Guests:
Ernest Williamson - Piano (#4)
Michael Wedd - Vocals (#10)
Andy Block "Eggo" - Vocals (#3,7) 

Tracks:
01. Sweet Dreams {Don Gibson} (4:44)
02. I'll Always Love You {Dolly Parton} (4:45)
03. Stay With Me {Jerry Goffin, Michael Masser} (4:31)
04. Once In A While {Bud Green, Michael Edwards} (3:54)
05. I'll Be There {Michael Jackson} (4:21)
06. Lady In Red {Chris De Burgh} (4:21)
07. Do It To Me {Lionel Richie} (5:19)
08. Tears In Heaven {Eric Clapton, Will Jennings} (4:27)
09. To Love Somebody {Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb} (4:01)
10. I Don't Know Much {Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Tom Snow} (3:35)
11. From A Distance {Julie Gold} (4:32)
12. End Of The Road {Babyface, Daryl Simmons, L.A. Reid} (4:27) 

Total Time: 54:04 

Credits:
Producer - Ace Cannon
Producer, Engineer - Robby Turner
Executive Producer - Rainbow WIRL Inc.
Engineer - Andy Black
Engineer [Assistant] - Doug Easley
Cover Photo - Brookes La Touche
Design & Artwork - Keith C. Gall 

Sweet Dreams

Yuji Ohno Trio - Let's Fall In Jazz (2017)

This is the third album by Yuji Ohno released in 2017 on the Vap and Lupintic labels. For this release; Yuji after a five-year hiatus writing soundtrack scores for popular modern Japanese movies, teams up again with his wonderful trio to produce this superb jazz album. The trio includes the long-term musicians, bassist Shin Kamimura and drummer Yasushi Ichihara. The new original song "Let's Fall In Jazz" was written specifically for this album and features guest vocals by Lyn Inaizumi, a talented singer who has sung beforehand with the Yuji Ohno & Lupintic Six! 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the birth of "Lupin III Theme" and a new recording of the theme in a trio formation is included in this album. Essentially, eight of the tunes are penned by Yuji, but the trio also re-interprets four well-known standards. Overall, a exceptionally pleasant affair that will truly entertain many a jazz enthusiast for many years to come! 

VAP Records, VPCG-83523, 2017 

Musicians:
Yuji Ohno - Piano, Keyboards
Shin Kamimura - Bass, Electric Bass
Yasushi Ichihara - Drums
Lyn Inaizumi - Vocals (#1,6,12) 

Tracks:
01. Let's Fall In Jazz [feat. Lyn] {Yuji Ohno} (4:47)
02. Sweet Sue, Just You {Will J. Harris, Victor Young} (6:29)
03. Misty Twilight {Yuji Ohno} (7:11)
04. Let's Fall In Love {Yuji Ohno} (4:33)
05. Love Squall {Yuji Ohno} (4:35)
06. Let's Fall In Jazz [Interlude] {Yuji Ohno} (0:26)
07. My One And Only Love {Robert Mellin, Guy Wood} (5:22)
08. Let's Face The Music And Dance {Irving Berlin} (5:27)
09. A Foggy Day {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (7:40)
10. Love Theme {Yuji Ohno} (2:16)
11. Theme From Lupin III {Yuji Ohno} (6:00)
12. Let's Fall In Jazz [Reprise] {Yuji Ohno} (0:46) 

Total Time: 55:37 

Theme From Lupin III

Yuji Ohno Trio & Friends - Cool For Joy (2005)

Cool For Joy is a steamy and sweet jazz album for adults, presented by the Yuji Ohno Trio & Friends. It's the first jazz album covering of love songs normally hidden from Ohno familiar Lupin compositions. Included are a number of selected standard tunes, but in addition some of Ohno's latest original songs. Along with his respected trio the group is joined by an impressive guest list of Japanese jazz musicians whom take the tunes to a greater level. This album is great place to start for anybody not already affiliated with this outstanding pianist and composer, enjoy! 

Vap Records, VPCG-84821, 2005 

Personnel: 

Trio:
Yuji Ohno - Piano
Masayuki Tawarayama - Bass
Kenichiro Murata - Drums 

Guests:
Yoshiro Okazaki - Trumpet (#2,3,7,8,9)
Mabumi Yamaguchi - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,6,7,8,9)
Masami Nakagawa - Flute (#1,6)
Hiroyuki Suzuki - Synthesizer (#2,5,8)
Takashi Ooi - Vibraphone (#1,6,9)
Jun Kajiwara - Guitar (#1,6,8,9)
Saori Sendo - Percussion (#1,3,8) 

Tracks:
01. The Gift! [Recado Bossa Nova] {Djalma Ferreira} (4:54)
02. Autumn In Praha {Yuji Ohno} (5:53)
03. Cool For Joy {Yuji Ohno} (6:19)
04. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers} (6:43)
05. Golden Game {Yuji Ohno} (4:54)
06. Cool Vibration {Yuji Ohno} (5:02)
07. Fairy Night {Yuji Ohno} (4:16)
08. The Look Of Love {Burt Bacharach} (5:34)
09. Theme From Lupin III [Waltz Version] {Yuji Ohno} (4:43)
10. Loss Of Love {Henry Mancini} (3:37) 

Total Time: 51:59 

Cool For Joy

Sunao Wada Quartet / Sunao Wada Sextet - Coco's Blues (1972)

Here, we have Japanese guitarist Sunao Wada first work as leader on the renowned Three Blind Mice label. Recorded 23rd October, 1972 at Tokyo's KRC Studio, Sunao presents two formations; a quartet (#1,3,4) with pianist Takehiro Honda, bassist Mitsuaki Furuno and drummer Arihide Kurata and a sextet (#2,5) with the addition of flugelhornist Kunji Shigi and formidable altoist Kenji Mori. It's a phenomenal groovy jazz-blues outing; at the time Sunao was nominated "the best blues guitarist in Japan"! A driving force behind these groupings is the powerhouse Takehiro Honda. Three of the tunes are Sunao's own offerings, with one from Takehiro and the remainder a muscular cover of Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce". A valuable example and indispensable classic of the great jazz that was emerging out of Japan throughout the seventies and beyond, enjoy! 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-12, 1973
Three Blind Mice, MHCP 10025, 2006
Recorded 23rd October, 1972 at KRC Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Sunao Wada - Guitar
Kunji Shigi - Flugelhorn (#2,5)
Kenji Mori - Alto Saxophone (#2,5)
Takehiro Honda - Piano
Mitsuaki Furuno - Bass
Arihide Kurata - Drums 

Tracks:
1. One's Blue {Sunao Wada} (6:29)
2. Billie's Bounce {Charlie Parker} (12:09)
3. Guitar's Time {Sunao Wada} (5:28)
4. Sick Thomas {Takehiro Honda} (7:37)
5. Coco's Blues {Sunao Wada} (11:31) 

Total Time: 43:16 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi "Tee" Fuji
Recording Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Assistant Engineer - Kenji Kurota
Art Direction - Ben Nishizawa
Liner Notes - Teruo Isono 

Coco's Blues (1973 Full Vinyl Album)