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
