A Letter from Slowboat

"Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today, even if only by a little." With this belief in his heart, Ryo Fukui devoted himself to the piano for 40 years. His touch grew stronger, his emotion deeper, and his sound richer and more full-bodied. Even without considering the weight of it being his final work, this is a masterpiece in its own right. In 2016, the distinguished pianist from Hokkaido, Ryo Fukui, sadly passed away. His early works "Scenery" and "Mellow Dream" were highly acclaimed, and his name is now known among jazz listeners around the world. This album "A Letter From Slowboat" was produced in 2015, his first album as a leader in 16 years. The recording took place at his home venue, the live house Slowboat, together with two promising young musicians whose abilities Fukui himself recognized. You can hear the lyricism that seeps through "Sonora", the poetry that envelops "Stella By Starlight", and the overflowing vitality in "Speak Low". His touch is stronger, his emotion deeper, and his sound richer and more full-bodied. Text by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALITY). "Made in Japan" quality attracting worldwide attention. Luxuriously pressed on uncolored virgin vinyl, eliminating all coloring materials such as carbon that can affect sound quality. Made using only high-purity straight polyvinyl chloride, and upgraded to 180g for stable rotation and a rich soundstage. 180g heavyweight pure vinyl specification that lets you fully enjoy finely honed imaging.

「昨日よりは今日、今日よりは明日、少しでも上手くなるように」。この思いを胸に40年間ピアノに打ち込んできた福居良。タッチはより力強く、情感はより深く、香りはより豊潤に。遺作であることの重みを除いても、純然たる名作である。2016年、惜しくもこの世を去った北海道出身の名ピアニスト、福居良。初期の2作品『シーナリィ』と『メロウ・ドリーム』が高く評価され、今やその名は世界のジャズ・リスナーが知るところとなった。本作『A Letter From Slowboat』は2015年、実に16年ぶりに制作されたリーダー・アルバム。録音は、福居も実力を認める有望なふたりの若手とともに、ホームであるライヴ・ハウス＜スローボート＞で行われた。「Sonora」に滲む抒情、「Stella By Starlight」を包む詩情、「Speak Low」に溢れる躍動。タッチはより力強く、情感はより深く、香りはより豊潤に。text by 尾川雄介 (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALITY) ※世界が注目する"Made in Japan"クオリティ。音質に影響を及ぼすカーボンなどの着色材を一切排除した"無着色ヴァージン・ヴィニール"を贅沢に採用。純度の高いストレート塩化ビニールのみを原料に、盤重量を180gへと高めることで回転の安定性と豊かな音場表現を実現。研ぎ澄まされた音像を堪能できる「180g重量盤/ピュア・ヴァイナル」仕様。