Tiger Okoshi - Baku Tiger (1981) [vinyl]

Toru "Tiger" Okoshi (born 21st March, 1950 in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.) is an American jazz fusion trumpeter. The desire to become a trumpet player came to him at the age of eleven, when he first heard on the radio broadcast of a Louis Armstrong concert. While in college, Okoshi played with a jazz band; an important role in his creative formation as a musician was played by his acquaintance with the famous Japanese jazz musicians Terumasa Hino and Sadao Watanabe. After studying at Kwansei Gakuin University, Okoshi moved to America in 1972. In 1975 he completed studies at the Berklee College of Music, and then remained there in the teaching work. Okoshi collaborated in the 1970's with Gary Burton and played with the Mike Gibbs Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 1974. Following this he toured with Buddy Rich. He also performed as part of Clark Terry's jazz bands.  At the same he composed music for commercials. In 1977 (as an arranger and composer) he received a prize at the Notre Dame University Jazz Festival and in the same year he organized an ensemble in Boston "Baku Tiger". In 1978, Okoshi became a member of the Gary Burton Quartet, then followed performances with "Stylistics", O'Jays, Al Martino and other artists and musicians. From the 80's onward he recorded a number of records with JVC that were a great success in Japan. Tiger's Baku is the second album by Tiger Okoshi, released in 1983 on JVC. An overlooked and proficient trumpeter, enjoy! 

JVC Records, VIJ-28009, 1981
Melody Records, С60-20203 001, 1984
Recorded November, 1980 - April, 1981 at Normandy Sound Studio, Rhode Island 

Musicians:
Tiger Okoshi - Trumpet, Arranger
Mike Stern - Electric Guitar
Jerry Atkins - Keyboards
Tim Landers - Electric Bass
Quinous Johnson, Vince Colaiuta, Robbie Gonzalez, Steve Foreman - Drums

Tracks:
A1. Rooster (4:30)
A2. Thank You (5:08)
A3. It Can Be Good Again (4:23)
A4. From Time To Time (4:32)
B1. Robot (4:48)
B2. Kemi Lona (4:46)
B3. Casa Liena (4:40)
B4. Little Tiger (2:49) 

All Compositions by Tiger Okoshi 

Total Time: 35:35 

Credits:
Producer - Akira Taguchi, Takashi Misu
Engineer, Mixing - Phil Green
Mastering - Shizou Nomiyama
Photography - Chu Kawahito
Artwork - Goji Morofuji

Riche Cole - Leningrad Alto Madness (1989) [vinyl>flac]

A rare piece of wax of a concert Richie Cole played whilst on tour in Russia in 1989. He is backed by a local group which do justice to his style of play. It was recorded during autumn at the International Jazz Festival held in Leningrad hence the sub-concert title "Autumn Rhythms". Richie is in fine form as he lays down some great interpretations of a number of well recognised standards. He also adapts a few tunes aimed at pleasing the Russian audience. A highlight is his beautiful soloing on "If Ever I Would Leave You". Only ever released on vinyl in Russia. Taken from an LP in reasonable condition, the resultant rip after trimming excess applause and manually removing a number of clicks is a truly entertaining concert coming from a master altoist, Enjoy!

Melody Records, 60 30069 006, 1990

Recorded 1989 At Leningrad International Jazz Festival "Autumn Rhythms"

Musicians:

Riche Cole - Alto Saxophone

Andrey Kondakov - Piano

Andrey Ryabov - Guitar

Vitaly Solomonov - Double Bass

Oleg Butman - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Leningrad Bossa Nova {Duke Ellington, Richie Cole} (8:57)

A2. If Ever I Would Leave You {Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner} (4:43)

A3. How High The Moon {Sam Lewis} (7:16)

B1. Sunday In New York {Peter Nero} (8:46)

B2. Polyushko Field {Richie Cole, Lev Knipper} (7:45)

B3. Blues For Leningrad {D. Forest, Richie Cole} (4:38)

Credits:

Engineer - Victor Dinov

Photography - D. Akulshin

Liner Notes - Vladimir Feiertag