Jazz Biz Ain't That Bad

[Machine Translation] Yasumasa Kumagai s first new album in six years. Once again, the Kumagai Sound" is in full force. This album showcases the ever-evolving band sound of his regular trio over the past few years. As with his previous works, most of the tracks are Kumagai s original compositions. While incorporating a wide range of sounds including hip-hop, gospel, Brazilian music, and soul this masterpiece is refined through his unique filter into straight-ahead jazz. The lineup features his regular piano trio, honed through countless rehearsals and live performances. On bass is the immensely popular Yoshimasa Otsuka, who is extremely busy performing with numerous bands. On drums is a musician who recorded this album on his very first day as a working professional after graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts. Both are dedicated bandmates who go along with Kumagai s intense pre-show rehearsals which are even more rigorous than usual without a single complaint. The result of these three musicians repeated performances and discussions is the definitive J-Jazz album, right here.

熊谷ヤスマサ6年振りの新作。今回も熊谷サウンド炸裂。ここ数年のレギュラートリオでの進化し続けるバンドサウンド。今作もほとんどが熊谷のオリジナルナンバー。ヒップホップ、ゴスペル、ブラジリアン、ソウルなど幅広いサウンドを取り入れつつも彼のフィルターを通ってストレートアヘッドなジャズとして仕上がった力作。メンバーはリハーサルとライブを重ねたレギュラーピアノトリオ。ベースは幾多のバンドに呼ばれ多忙を極める、大人気の大塚義将。ドラムは、東京藝術大学を卒業して学生から社会人となった初日にレコーディング。2人ともライブ前の通常よりヘビーな熊谷のリハーサルに文句一つ言わず付き合う気合の入った仲間達。そんな3人が演奏を重ね、話し合いを重ねて作った、J-Jazz最強のアルバムがここにある。