Pick Up Review
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Can I Sing? [SHM-CD]Masayoshi TakanakaA great album!
A fun album throughout. This was one of Takanaka's ventures into the "City-pop" genre and he does it very well. Highlights are "Santigo Bay rendezvous", "Jumping Take-off" and "From the Heart."
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All Things BeautifulJimmy Pondergreat album
I recommend to all fans of soul 70's, beautiful compositions, beautifully performed by good musicians with an indescribable sound of the 70s
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Byrd In Hand + Davis CupDonald ByrdI approve the 3279 Yen charge. Thanx
Thank you for the proxy service. I await the arrival of this CD. It is late now, i must get my rest now.
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Blue World - The Lost Soundtrack [SHM-CD]John ColtraneA deep breath before the treshhold
Any material from Coltrane’s classic quartet has timeless value. More than 55 years after this historic session was recorded, I am still amazed by Coltrane’s uncanny ability to explore familiar compositions to find new meaning in them. This session has a relaxed meandering quality, that reminds me of the 60 exotica sessions and Coltrane plays the blues ~ like a deep breath, before crossing the rubicon of A Love Supreme... Yet underneath this calm surface: a fiery intensity moving the spirit towards the revelations that were about to be made manifest the next few years. Coltrane’s sound here is mellifluous, yet compelling in its power and emotional depth. The mood of this session is deeply rooted in the blues, with strong oriental accents and modal structure, certainly reminiscent (Like Sonny, Exotica, Mr. Syms) of the Atlantic period. But Trane’s searching descending solo of ‘Blue World’ ~ with its richly layered, wailing but declamatory sound ~ reaffirms that this quartet was slowly guided towards the solemn exaltation of A Love Supreme and all that followed. This haunting reconstruction of ‘Out of this world’ from the classic ‘Coltrane’ album illustrates the searching, almost pleading, ‘otherwordly’ mood of this album. It seems Coltrane wanted to infuse the movie with a duality of the mundane and the immediacy of spititual truth underlying all experience... Sometimes this session reminds of ‘Slow Blues’ and ‘Nature Boy’ from that other lost session: ‘Both Directions at Once’, recorded the previous year. And perhaps even more so the profound steping stone to the temple of ‘A Love Supreme’: ‘Crescent’. Yet, it lacks its polished lyrical quality, demonstrating instead a raw uncertainty that in some ways points even furthers ahead to the uncompromising journey Coltrane was to embark on, only a few months later....just listen to Jimmy Garrison’s intro on ‘Traineing in’, or the conclusion of Trane’s solo on ‘Blue World’. The sound of this recording by the way, is rich, warm and detailed: typical Impulse. Produced at a crossroads in Coltrane’s recording career, its retrospective character must have seemed at odds with the more experimental and spiritual direction that was taken at the end of 64. Nonetheless, this ‘side gig’ produced a treasure trove of essential classic quartet material.
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Taking A Chance On LoveSimoneTimeless
One of the albums to which one returns from time to time. Songs that sounds homy, cozy... comfort sounds this way. (many thanks to cdJapan, I was for quite a long time looking for this album)
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NEW-ST-SQUAREMusic Of Timeless Beauty
If you know T-Square already, no more words need to be said about this band. The following review is for those people, who are as unknowingly as I was, just some days ago… Although I knew Casiopea before, I never heard of this band before. I first got aware of T-Square by a cover music video of drum princess Kanade Sato, playing 'Megalith' at the age of 12, which I regarded as unbelievable. Seemed to be a must-have to get this recording in the original version. And: yes, it is! After I found out on which record 'Megaltih' was published and I received this CD (thank you, CDJapan!) I had the opportunity to discover T-Square... It was a revelation! There are much more songs to light on: With 'Nab That Chap!!' you got one more well reknown classical in the original version, and above that much more Fusion to get lost in... For those who don't know T-Square yet: As Long as you are in Jazz-Fusion, I'm pretty sure 'NEW-S' is a great opportunity to get in touch and broaden your horizon - beneath having fun of listening to these exeptionally gifted musicians. Highly recommended!
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Top RunnerRie a.k.a SuzakuThe beauty and the beast
Well, what would you guess? Rie goes as hard rocking and fast driving as ever. Nothing new so far. But Rie knows to satisfy. Her music is a great example of headbanging heavy rock, joining with beautiful melodies and technical skills aswell. For 'Top Runner' she obtained the support of Mitsuru Sutoh and Shingo Tanaka (both: T-Square) and Juna Serita on electric bass, and 16-yrs.-old Kanade Sato (Ear Candy Jazz Factory) on drums - some really tight Rhythm Group combinations, that lead Rie through all the songs in just perfect manner. Beneath all these hard rocking and sometimes melodically fine tunes, one song is to mention particularly: 'Wangan Street' is an uptempo rocksong with a lot of different components and feels - partly melodic, hard-driving, sometimes funky and even jazzy… - really overwhelming! My personal favorite. The only point to criticize is the lack of balance between guitar and bass/drums, and a littly to much reverb on guitar and snare drum, which makes the sound too washy for me. But that does not affect the superb work on instruments, and the great songwriting. So, if you know Rie already, there's not much more to say. If you don't: check it out! You won't regret!
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Buena Vista [Regular Edition]Senri Kawaguchibeautyful music!
On "Buena Vista", Senri Kawaguchi, age 17, plays nine songs with different musicians and instrumentation, partly with keys and/or electric guitar, some horns, and even some strings on one tune. The line-ups consist of several bassists, including James Genus (Herbie Hancock), Pino Palladino, Shingo Tanaka (T-Square), John Pena, and Brian Bromberg (!) among others. Some songs to mention are 'See You Much Later', the opener in a combined 7/8- and 10/8-time rhythm, but nevertheless still grooving..! - With 'The Phoenix' we got an Phillipe Saisse original with a really beautiful melody. - 'Onyx' is a hard driving Jazz/ROCK-piece, and its hook line will go into your ear, and stay for a while! I could talk about all the other songs aswell, there is not one that would not be worth to listen to. In the end you got it all here: Hard-driving funky tunes, fine melodies, lunatic rhythms, and a beautiful ballad ('All This Love') aswell. When I first got aware of Senri Kawaguchi, I didn't like her style of drumming too much. Too technical, too much like a show-off of her skills - that's what I thought. Well, I must admit, I was totally wrong! Senri is a super-sensitive musician, and above her undeniable, unbelieveable technical skills she has got something to say, and much to give for all the songs she plays. Her playing sparks from creativity and musicality. "Buena Vista" is a great CD, loaded with a bunch of wonderful music. So, if you are in Jazz-Fusion, this CD is highly recommended!
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Tangerine Peel Jam -Complete-Ear Candy Jazz Factory...it's been getting time for this!
'Tangerine Peel Jam', the debut of "Ear Candy Jazz Factory", is an outstanding example of new Jazz from Japan, and - allow me to say: it has been getting time for this! The three-piece-band follows a line of smooth Jazz, with some really fine skills, musicality, and most of all they bind their flow with drive and groove - not easy to develop, and hard to find. 'Ear Candy Jazz Factory' consists of Rei Narita on piano and keyboards, and an all-girl rhythm section: Naoko Sakurai on bass, and Kanade Sato on drums. The first song, 'Tailwind', starts with a rhythm in 4/4-time you did not hear anywhere else, joining in a really driving bass guitar, everything accompaniing the dominating piano of Rei - this song makes you want to cruise through the City and run down the freeway at the same time... perfect opener! 'Urahara Cat Street' is just grooving you down in this easy-going-style that Rei's music offers all the time. (You want to carry on cruising…) Some hammond-organ work in here. In 'Monsoon In Crimson' you get some nice music featuring the saxophone of Younosuke Shimizu. In the (much too short!) middle part, Naoko and Kanade groove it all away, again..! 'Run Through The City' takes you back on the highway. Naoko equippes her bass with some mix of touch wah and chorus, Kanade goes in sixteenth on the Hi-Hat, and it flows and it flows… Would you guess, a song called 'The Feeling Of Samurai' had some Samba and Latin groove? Some drum solo in here… In case you missed some more jazzy thing, now you get what you want: 'Autumn Foliage' is a Showcase of the band's skills - in 4/4-time with some middle part in 7/8-time, including one more drum solo (!) 'Rain In Space' lives up to its name: Song for rainy days, looking out of the window - a little sad, but making it better through music… The next song joining in Younosuke on alto-sax again, 'Hack Your Way Through The Sky', is an uptempo jazz thing with a driving out-of-phase Ride Cymbal of Kanade's - next drum solo included! Some unexpected electronics will open 'Snow Kaleidoscope', and the song suddenly turns in much more smooth theme - strange, but nice. Some driving middle part with fine work of the rhythm section: Sounds easy, but runs like a swiss watch. The CD ends with 'Step Into The Inside Of Kyoto' with Naoko on fretless 5-string. Smooth and great piece in 6/8-time. My opinion: Highly recommended!
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Deodato 2 [UHQCD]DeodatoMuy buena musica
Los exitos de ese disco son las canciones tracks 2-4-5... Rhapsody in Blue fue un hit de aquella epoca pero nunca pasa de moda... El sonido es de muy buena calidad y lo recuerdo porque en Mexico esa cancion se escuchaba seguido en la estacion de radio 6.20 La musica que llego para quedarse!!!
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It's Magic [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] vol.2 [Priced-down Reissue]Eddie Higgins & Scott Hamilton & Ken PeplowskiIt's Magic
Great, soft sound of classic tunes. Nothing extra. The very cozy atmosphere created by this music draws the term Lounge to it, although this, of course, Jazz - the names and names in tracklisting speak for themselves!
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Tsutaetai Koto 2 [UHQCD]
Kasumi WatanabeTsutaetai Koto 2 [UHQCD]Kasumi WatanabeMuch better than first cdI prefer to give it 6 stars if I can, because I can compare both cd. Without second cd, first cd is really good, but also it's incomparable. But the second so amazing... like crystal vs glass. May be 'Ultra cd' also involved in this result. Now it's my lovely honey for ears. I wish, Kasumi will do more ... it's hard to imaging, what it possible will be
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Just! [Limited Low-priced Edition]NORIKIGreat NORIKI album!
In my opinion this is the most mature and well refined of the albums released by NORIKI - I was able to discover it thanks to it being re-released at this affordable 1000yen price! The arrangements are skilled and technical, yet remain soulful. The main highlights for me are the three songs on the album that are composed in a thematic-style - Even a Whisper, Just! and Ice Fantasia. All three songs take the same musical motifs and develop them with different textures and rhythms, which really shows NORIKI's skill a composer. Makes for a great listening experience. Just wish the album was longer!
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Blue Side [Limited Low-priced Edition]NORIKIA timeless 80s jazz gem
This cd is a letter of love if you are a fan of jazz and more specific: vintage 80s jazz fusion with a touch of funk. Soichi Noriki is a great pianist and each piece is a joy from beginning to end. The recording sound quality is good as well. Note that this cd is a compilation including the best cuts so it's perfect if you are new to Noriki's music. The desing of the overall product is neat, but I would have wished the booklet to come with more information about the names of the other musicians who play with noriki because it only has the same information of the tracks names that comes in the back of the case, and I think it's a pitty if we consider that the whole ensemble is awesome, includig brass sections,sax, electric guitar and bass.
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Hi-Res CD Sampler for Jazz [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)] [Limited Release]V.A.Good Sound
I found the sound quality , even on non- MQA equipment to be very good indeed . The track selection was interesting and varied , and all were good performances.
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We Want Miles [Limited Pressing] [Priced-down Reissue]Miles DavisWe Want More
Another argument in favor of CD. Apparently in the era of vinyl it would be difficult to make a triple album. I'm happy that this wonderful concert had an addition. And even what! Miles is alive!
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SaxonicYucco MillerVery Good C.D.
This my second album by YUCCO,Talent, she has !!! would like to have seen more songs and a few Ballads ,to make those Blues wail..I am From ole Brooklyn,and went to a few Blues Bars when i was younger..still a Very Good Album!!!!
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Blue Side [Limited Low-priced Edition]NORIKIExcellent
Excellent album by pianist Soichi Noriki, amazing jazz fusion from the 80's. This album brings some tracks from 2 albums, Noriki and Dream Cuise.
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Platinum [SHM-CD] [Low-priced Reissue]CASIOPEAGood
In my opinion, this is not one of the best of the band, but in terms of quality it is excellent, very well remastered, where there are bass and treble in perfect harmony. The booklet is very simple. Highly recommended for collectors of Casiopea.
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Casiopea World Live '88 [SHM-CD] [Low-priced Reissue]CASIOPEAGood
Essential for the Casiopea album collectors, it's just a live tour of the Euphony album. The audio follows the same pattern as the DVD, where it is not one of the best, but this must be due to the way it was captured at the time.