Funky Stuff

Overwhelming sound pressure and the resonance of each note, with both elasticity and tenacity. A gem of a Japanese jazz masterpiece, where Japan's distinctive sense of independence met recording technology, is being released on cassette tape for the first time. At a time when Japanese jazz was searching for its own identity while absorbing trends from the U.S. and Europe, Jiro Inagaki focused on "groove." Glimpses of that can also be heard on the previous work "In the Groove," which attempted to fuse jazz rock and funk. However, on this work, "Funky Stuff," that jet-black groove, combining both elasticity and tenacity, finally reached its completed form. The album includes "Painted Paradise," where the finger-picking bass in the intro creates a tight groove; "Breeze," highlighted by a mellow arrangement by Hiromasa Suzuki, also known as Colgen; and the title track "Funky Stuff," a cover of a Kool & The Gang song with the band's own unique interpretation. Another indispensable part of this work's appeal is its distinctive recording style. Close miking, thorough sound absorption treatment, and assertive compression created a recording aesthetic unique to Japan. The dense, dry, yet vivid sound image makes the groove of this work even more striking. Text by Kenjiro Tsutsumi (223 Music Lab.)

圧倒的な音圧、弾力と粘りを伴う一音一音の響き。日本独自の主体性と録音技術が邂逅した、珠玉の和ジャズ名盤が初カセットテープ化! 日本のジャズがアメリカやヨーロッパの潮流を受けながらも、自らのアイデンティティを模索していた当時、稲垣次郎が目を付けたのは"グルーヴ"だった。その片鱗は、ジャズ・ロックとファンクの融合を試みた前作『In the Groove』にも垣間見られる。しかし本作において、その弾力と粘りを併せ持つ漆黒のグルーヴは、ついに完成形へと到達した。イントロのフィンガーピッキング・ベースがタイトなグルーヴを生み出す「Painted Paradise」、コルゲンこと鈴木宏昌によるメロウなアレンジが光る「Breeze」、そしてクール&ザ・ギャングの楽曲を独自の解釈でカヴァーしたタイトル曲「Funky Stuff」を収録。また、本作の魅力を語るうえで欠かせないのが録音面での特色。近接マイキングと徹底した吸音処理、そして積極的なコンプレッションが生み出した日本独自の録音美学。濃密でドライ、それでいて生々しい音像は、本作のグルーヴをより鮮烈なものにしている。Text by 堤健司郎 (223 Music Lab.)