Isao Suzuki Trio - Black Orpheus (1976)

Isao Suzuki, the international star bassist who gave us Blow Up! and Blue City is joined by another star player of the TBM label, the soulful pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto. A great album. This was released on the Japanese Three Blind Mice label. This one has actually been reissued recently, but I imagine that in some parts of the world it might be tough to find as anything but an expensive import. However, if you really like it I urge you to buy it. The session features Isao Suzuki on bass and cello, Donald Bailey on drums and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on rhodes and piano. The sound is mostly jazzy with a hint of funkiness on Manha De Carnaval, which is also my favorite track on the album (the rhodes sound especially lovely on that one). ~ by Celo. 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-2563, 1976
Three Blind Mice, TBM-XR-0063, 1997
Recorded 20th February, 1976 at AOI Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Isao Suzuki - Bass, Cello
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes]
Donald Bailey - Drums

Tracks:
A1. Manha de Carnaval {Luiz Bonfá} (11:11)
A2. Angel Eyes {Matt Dennis, Earl Brent} (8:11)
B1. Who Can I Turn To {Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newly} (8:12)
B2. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (5:44)
B3. Blues {Tsuyoshi Yamamoto} (5:55) 

Total Time: 39:16 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi Fujii
Recording Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Art Director - Ben Nishizawa
Liner Notes - Terry Isono 

Isao Suzuki is the grand master of jazz in Japan. He is a bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader. He was born on January 3, 1933 in Tokyo. 

In A Sentimental Mood

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)

Isao Suzuki Quartet +1 - Blue City (1974)

Another fine example of Japanese jazz from the mid-1970s, this set is led by cellist and bassist Isao Suzuki and features the earliest recorded performances of guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. Four tracks make up the recording, of which two are covers, the opening standard "Body and Soul" (complete with opening melody played on the bass) and "Play Fiddle Play," and two originals, which stack up very well against such classic material. This set was a follow-up to a huge breakthrough album for Suzuki called Blow Up, recorded a year earlier in 1973. Along with his standard setup with Watanabe, pianist Kunihiko Sugano, and Tetsujiroh Obara on drums, Suzuki, in order to use the cello more fully within the small group setting, added bassist Nobuyoshi Ino on two tracks, including "Body and Soul." What's most compelling about the music made in Japan during that era is that the notion that all jazz had to swing, swing, swing seems almost perverse now in contrast to the stilted, dated sounding riffs that the current American jazzmen heralded as saviors of the music. While free jazz, groove jazz, and jazz/rock fusion were sweeping the popular template in America and Europe, the Japanese, as evidenced here, were listening with reverence (perhaps too much) to the roots of the music. "Body and Soul" and "Play Fiddle Play" have been done by so many hundreds of artists, that it's tough to stack up these versions except to say that they are played with aplomb and emotion. But it's the originals that make Suzuki's group stand out and sound current even in the 21st century. "45th Street (at 8th Ave.)" features the cello as a saxophone, coursing through the melody with fluidity and grace, creating a resonant mode for the band to climb in under. Ino's bass is a lovely counterpart to the tinny sound of the cello being played pizzicato, and Watanabe sounds like Wes Montgomery in his George Shearing days. The rest is as gently swinging and solid with the band becoming a quartet with Suzuki on bass for the last two tracks. In all, it's no masterpiece, but it is an excellent jazz record, made at a time when jazz as it was known in the 1950s and 1960s was a memory. And that it sounds current today is a testament in itself to its quality. ~ by Thom Jurek, AMG. 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-24, 1974
Three Blind Mice, TBM-XR-0024, 1998
Recorded 4th March, 1974 at Aoi Studio, Tokyo Japan 

Musicians:
Isao Suzuki - Bass, Cello
Kunihiko Sugano - Piano
Kazumi Watanabe - Guitar
Nobuyoshi Ino - Bass
Tetsujiro Obara - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Body And Soul {Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Robert Sour} (9:28)
2. 45th Street [At 8th Avenue] {Isao Suzuki} (11:14)
3. Play Fiddle Play {Arthur Altman, Emery Deutsch} (10:20)
4. Blue City {Isao Suzuki} (10:07) 

Total Time: 41:12 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi Fujii
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Collaboration, Executive - Akisuke Fukutomi
Engineer [Cutting] - Makoto Nakamura
Photography [Cover] - Isao Suzuki
Art Direction, Cover - Ben Nishizawa
Liner Notes - Osamu Uchida, Teruo Isono 

Blue City

Ayako Hosokawa - Call Me (1979)

At the age of 14, Hosokawa already appeared in the clubs of the American barracks and Japanese jazz cafes with Kuranosuke Hamaguchi. In 1961 she moved to the USA. In the following years she toured on the West Coast before 1965 with Earl Hines in Las Vegas occurred, with whom she worked until 1967. In the mid-1970s, Hosokawa lived with her mother and daughter in San Francisco and recorded her debut album "No Tears" in 1977, in which she was part of the quartet of pianist Masaru Imada. This album and a longer tour marked the beginning of her new career in Japan. In 1977 the LP To "Mr. Wonderful" was also released, on which she sung pop and jazz standards. Accompanied by Toshiyuki Miyama's big band The New Herd, she recorded this album "Call Me" in 1979; highlights include "Love Is Here To Stay" and the Billy Joel's hit "Just The Way You Are". 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-5013, 1979
Three Blind Mice, TBM CD 5013, 1988
Recorded 6th & 7th June, 1979 at Epicurus Studios, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Ayako Hosokawa - Vocals
Toshiyuki Miyama - Leader, Conductor
Koichi Ono, Masanobu Takei, Natsuki Tamura, Shigeru Kamimori - Trumpet
Kenichi Tsunoda, Ryohei Imai, Takeo Arai, Teruhiko Kataoka - Trombone
Shinji Nakayama - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
Kazumi Oguro - Alto Saxophone, Flute
Junichi Kameoka - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Norio Moriguchi - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Haruomi Ishimatsu - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Kiyoshi Takano - Piano
Kozaburo Yamaki - Guitar, Arranger (#3,5,7)
Yasushi Fukushima - Bass, Electric Bass
Yoshio Nakamura - Drums
Tadaomi Anai - Percussion
Tommy Smith - Arranger (#3,5,7) 

Tracks:
1. Scotch And Soda {David Guard} (4:17)
2. Call Me {Tony Hatch} (4:24)
3. Love Is Here To Stay {Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin} (2:54)
4. Just The Way You Are {Billy Joel} (4:27)
5. Little Girl Blue {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (4:36)
6. Medley: (6:46)
- Feel Like Makin' Love {Gene McDaniels}
- I Wanted It Too {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter}
- No Tears {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter}
7. Here's That Rainy Day {Jimmy van Heusen, Johnny Burke} (4:38)
8. Let's Go Get Stoned {Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford, Josephine Armstead} (5:23)
9. Ain't Nothin' New Under The Sun {Mike Sutton, Pam Sawyer} (3:09) 

Total Time: 40:39 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi "Tee" Fujii
Recording Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Lacquer Cutting Engineer - Mitsuharu Kobayashi
Art Direction - Ben Nishizawa         

★ The third gorgeous TBM that Ayako Hosokawa weaves with the Toshiyuki Miyama New Herd! 

★ The Latin arrangements "Just the Way You Are" and "Ain't Nothing New Under the Sun" that make you want to start dancing are the best killer tunes!!! (Kouki Hoso)

Hidefumi Toki Quartet - Toki (1975) [vinyl]

Deeply personal work from Japanese saxophonist Hidefumi Toki - a player who manages accomplish a great deal in a fairly stripped-down setting - filling spare space with gentle notes on alto and soprano sax, often delivered with a nicely raspy tone! The group here is a quartet - with Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Nobuyoshi Ino on bass, and Steve Jackson on drums - and the setting is laidback and mellow, often moving at a pace that's slow, but always flowing with a great gentle swing. Tracks are long, and titles include the great originals "Darkness", "Lullaby For The Girl" and "Old Song Blues" - plus nice takes "When Sunny Gets Blue" and Ornette Coleman's "Blues".  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-46, 1975
Recorded 17th May, 1975 at AOI Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Hidefumi Toki - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Kazumi Watanabe - Guitar
Nobuyoshi Ino - Bass
Steve Jackson - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Lullaby For The Girl {Hidefumi Toki} (11:09)
A2. Darkness {Hidefumi Toki} (10:03)
B1. Blues {Ornette Coleman} (8:17)
B2. When Sunny Gets Blue {Jack Segal, Marvin Fisher} (5:58)
B3. Old Song Blues {Hidefumi Toki} (5:40) 

Total Time: 41:07 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi Fujii
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Recording Engineer [Assistant] - Masayoshi Ohkawa
Engineer [Cutting] - Makoto Nakamura
Art Direction - Ben Nishizawa
Liner Notes - Takeo Fujii 

Wonderful Record! Hidefumi Toki is a pure genius. His saxophone sound is so deep and intense, in the vein of Coltrane. Tremendous spiritual jazz reminding me sometimes the Joki Freund's Yogi Jazz. The rest of the lineup is killer. Gorgeous... ~ kestudy, discogs.com.

Ayako Hosokawa - to Mr. Wonderful (1977)

Recorded originally by the renowned Japanese jazz label Three Blind Mice in 1977, this popular title has been re-mastered and released by First Impression Music on the popular audiophile format developed by Sony known as SACD. Discovered by Earl Hines, Ayako Hosokawa is a delightful blend of East meets West vocal jazz music. Hosokawa's music clearly illustrates the possible contact between the two cultures. Accompanied by an orchestra, you will be surprised by the heart and soul Ayako puts into each of these songs on this Stereo SACD including her versions of: 'Misty,' 'My Foolish Heart,' 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'The Lady is a Tramp.' 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-3008, 1977
First Impression Music, FIMSACD061, 2004
Recorded 9th & 10th June, 1977 at Epicurus Studios, Tokyo, Japan 

Personnel:
Ayako Hosokawa - Vocals
Konosuke Saijo - Tenor Saxophone
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Piano
Shoji Yokouchi - Guitar
Isoo Fukui - Bass
Kazuo Okamoto - Cello
Tetsujiro Obara - Drums
Yoshihisa Tamano - Violin [1st Violin]
Mihoko Morioka - Violin [2nd Violin] 

Tracks:
1. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams {Harry Barris, Ted Koehler, Billy Moll} (3:32)
2. Misty {Johnny Burke, Erroll Garner} (5:38)
3. Our Love Is Here To Stay {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (4:04)
4. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young, Ned Washington} (5:23)
5. Bridge over Troubled Water {Paul Simon, ‎Art Garfunkel} (5:44)
6. When You Smile {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter} (2:58)
7. Mr. Wonderful {Jerry Bock, George David Weiss, Larry Holofcener} (3:56)
8. Feel Like Makin 'Love {Eugene McDaniels} (4:19)
9. The Lady Is A Tramp {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (2:46) 

Total Time: 38:20 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi "Tee" Fujii
Arranger - Shoji Yokouchi
Recording Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Cutting Engineer - Mitsuharu Kobayashi
Art Direction - Ben Nishizawa