Friday, August 14, 2026

Terumasa Hino - Hip Seagull (1977, 1990)

This is both a blueprint and a definitive masterpiece. Effortlessly transcending eras and genres, Terumasa Hino continues to captivate audiences around the world. His sound and presence are truly top of the tops. Long before Japanese jazz was labeled as “Wa-Jazz”, and even before the rare groove movement emerged, Hip Seagull has been shaking dance floors, stimulating listeners, and fascinating collectors alike. Since his debut album Alone, Alone and Alone, Terumasa Hino has remained at the forefront of the scene, consistently delivering works that can be called masterpieces in every era. Among them, this 1978 recording stands out as one of his signature achievements. From the epic title track “Hip Seagull”, which unfolds from a mystical intro into a jazz-funk journey, to the mellow and cosmic “This Planet Is Ours,” the album is filled with tracks imbued with a truly unique atmosphere. This is both a blueprint and a completed form. Hip Seagull continues to enchant the past, present, and future alike. ~ by Yusuke Ogawa, Universounds, Deep Jazz Reaity. 

Flying Disk, VIJ-6010, 1978
JVC Records, VICJ-23023, 1990
Recorded 10th-11th August, 1977 at Victor Studios, Tokyo;
15th December, 1977 at Sound Ideas Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Terumasa Hino - Trumpet
Kohsuke Mine - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
John Scofield - Guitar
Mikio Masuda - Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes
Clint Houston - Acoustic Bass, Fender Bass
Motohiko Hino - Drums (#1)
George Ohtsuka - Drums (#2-4)
M'tume - Congas, Percussion, Vocals
Kimiko Kasai - Vocals (#3)
Tawatha - Vocals (#2) 

Tracks:
1. Hip Seagull {Terumasa Hino} (16:07)
2. This Planet Is Ours {Harry Whitaker} (6:57)
3. Fall {Wayne Shorter} (6:31)
4. Life Trip {Clint Houston} (7:38) 

Total Time: 37:14 

Credits:
Producer - Kiyoshi Itoh, Yukio Morisaki
Executive-Producer - Toshinari Koinuma
Recording & Remixing Engineer - David Baker
Engineer [Assistant] - Tamaki Bekku, Yoshiyuki Kubo
Coordinator - Tetsuya Shimoda
Cover Design - Lindow Sasa
Photography - Kazumi Kurigami
Liner Notes - Yohzoh Iwanami

LINK

Life Trip

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Ernie Krivda - Ernie Krivda Jazz (1991)

The legendary, if obscure tenor saxophonist Ernie Krivda is heard here performing six originals (including "The Bozo" and "Blues for Two," the latter a duet with bassist Jeff Halsey) and three familiar standards ("Autumn Leaves," "Over the Rainbow," and "Love for Sale") with four different bassists, two different drummers, sometimes guitarist Bob Fraser and, during one song, pianist Joe Hunter. In addition, Pete Selvaggio plays accordion on two songs, and there are guest appearances by trombonist Pat Hallaran and a pair of trumpeters on one song. Krivda, who seems incapable of playing an uninspired solo, is typically high-powered and extroverted throughout this post-bop outing. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Cadence Jazz Records, CJR 1049, 1992
Recorded January, 1991 (#1,7,9), March, 1991 (#2), June, 1991 (#3,8,10)
and August, 1991 (#4,5,6) at Midtown Record Studio in Cleveland, Ohio, US 

Musicians:
Ernie Krivda - Tenor Sax
Dennis Reynolds, Mike Hazlett - Trumpet (#3)
Pat Hallaran - Trombone (#2,3,8,10)
Bob Fraser - Guitar (#1,3,7-10), Acoustic Guitar (#2)
Joe Hunter - Piano (#2)
Chris Berger - Bass (#1,7,9)
Gary Aprile - Bass (#3,8,10)
Roger Hines - Bass (#2)
Jeff Halsey - Bass (#4-6)
Paul Samuels - Drums (#2,3,8,10)
Scott Davis - Drums (#1,8,10)
Pete Selvaggio - Accordion (#1,2) 

Tracks:
01. Old Vienna {Ernie Krivda} (8:43)
02. Irv's At Midnight {Ernie Krivda} (7:56)
03. The Bozo {Ernie Krivda} (6:47)
04. Autumn Leaves Variations {Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert} (3:54)
05. Blues For Two {Ernie Krivda} (3:33)
06. Other The Rainbow {Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg} (3:57)
07. The Song Is You {Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern} (6:33)
08. In Pursuit Of Hip {Ernie Krivda} (6:13)
09. Little Face {Ernie Krivda} (7:33)
10. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (8:54) 

Total Time: 64:07 

Credits:
Producer - Ernie Krivda
Producer [Cadence Records], Cover - Bob Rusch
Executive-Producer - Tom Lord
Engineer - Pete Tokar
Assistant Editing Engineer - John Koschik
Layout - Susan Rusch
Photography - Randy Norfus
Typography - Hillary J. Ryan

LINK

Irv's At Midnight