Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: A Masterpiece of Japanese Jazz—One Must-Listen Album
If you’re not particularly interested in jazz as a genre, you might just think of it as music from abroad.
In fact, here in Japan, we’ve produced many world-class players, and countless remarkable classic albums have been released.
This time, we’re presenting a selection of essential “Wa-Jazz” masterpieces by Japanese musicians.
While focusing on timeless classics from the ’60s and ’70s, the lineup also turns its attention to works released in the ’90s and 2000s.
Please enjoy jazz music with a distinctly Japanese flavor—something a little different from overseas jazz!
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Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: Masterpieces of Japanese Jazz – One Must-Listen Pick (71–80)
Float In AfternoonJAFROSAX
This is a classic jazz album by the Japanese project Jafrosax, who deftly handles everything from broken beats and nu-jazz to deep house.
While it has a fusion flavor, it’s been elevated with more Latin-like beats, resulting in an emotional track featuring English-language vocals.
JupiterMaiko
Ayaka Hirahara’s song “Jupiter” is being performed in a gently intimate duo with piano by Maiko, a jazz violinist active in Tokyo.
It was also the theme for the drama “Rikuoh.” Maiko is a young jazz violinist who is mainly active in the Tokyo area!
Ai-No-KawaSleep Walker
This is a signature track by Sleep Walker, a club jazz band formed around Masato Nakamura, the saxophonist of Mondo Grosso.
Hailed as a masterpiece that will go down in jazz history, it’s a fully realized composition that has been developed into a series, including Ai No Tabi and Ai No Umi.
Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: Masterpieces of Japanese Jazz – One Must-Listen Pick (81–90)
Unicorn LadyNakamura Teruo
This is a classic electronic jazz album by Teruo Nakamura.
Its innovative instrumentation and composition surprised London’s jazz scene in the 1990s.
With a highly cosmic musicality, the tracks evoke a connection to Sun Ra.
GandharaDaisuke Itō ・ Jiruka Gira ・ Sara Yoshida
This is a song performed at a live show called “Vocal Clossing,” where three vocalists cover a classic by Godiego.
With three-part harmonies, the sound gains depth and becomes very dynamic, while preserving the song’s exotic atmosphere, resulting in a highly engaging session.
Ballad of a SingerYoshida Sara
Sara Yoshida, the vocalist of the J-pop × jazz duo “Mononkul,” delivers a rendition of Kazuyoshi Saito’s “Utautai no Ballad.” Her clear, expansive voice pairs beautifully with the piano in this duo.
It seems Mononkul is active across a wide range of stages, from rock festivals to jazz festivals.
Lullaby for the girlToki Eishi
On June 26, 2021, Hideshi Toki—who not only thrived on the jazz scene as a saxophonist but also contributed greatly to Japan’s music world through his work in Tatsuro Yamashita’s backing band and in recordings across a wide range of genres—passed away at the age of 71.
Even in May of the same year, he released an ambitious album with two guitarists, exemplifying a lifelong commitment to performing.
While he released many works with bands he led, this piece focuses on his first leader album, Toki, released in 1975.
Toki was just 25 at the time, and the participating musicians—Kazumi Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Ino, and Steve Jackson—were all young as well.
Their fresh, up-and-coming energy makes for an exceptionally cool performance.
Toki’s fluid playing—showcasing his assured technique and taste on both alto and soprano saxophone—is captivating, and his original compositions also reveal his full talents as a composer.
A highly recommended album and a world-class masterpiece of modal jazz.
