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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The Appeal of Wa-Jazz: Masterpieces of Japanese Jazz — Recommended Albums (21–30)
Summer TimeYasuda Minami
This is a masterpiece by Minami Yasuda, who has emerged as an interpreter of pure jazz.
Starting with a low-tempo, low-tension intro, the track features swinging vocals that resonate, creating an atmosphere steeped in deep, soulful “blackness.” The balance of the horn and string arrangements is well crafted, making it a thoroughly compelling jazz release.
Every girlToukyou Jihen
A song by Tokyo Jihen that was also used as a cosmetics commercial theme, featuring Ringo Sheena herself.
The collaboration between the glamorous big band and Ringo Sheena is fantastic! The lyrics are cute, and the visuals are colorful and pop, letting you immerse yourself in a world of entertainment.
Recommendations for Wa-Jazz: Masterpieces of Japanese Jazz – One Must-Listen Pick (31–40)
Industrial RevolutionJAM
This is a signature track by Just Another Mind, an artist of the new-generation club jazz scene.
Formed primarily around members of Soil & “Pimp” Sessions, the album stands as a masterpiece that showcases each member’s solid technique and an austere, meticulously refined approach to jazz.
Return of the Kung Fu World ChampionUehara Hiromi
Here’s “Return of Kung-Fu World Champion” from Hiromi Uehara’s album Beyond Standard.
Hiromi is a Japanese jazz pianist active on the world stage.
It’s an album you can enjoy from standards to inventive arrangements.
“Return of Kung-Fu World Champion” is included as a bonus track on the Japan-only edition.
Night in TunisiaYano Saori
From jazz alto saxophonist Saori Yano’s album “Answer,” here is ‘A Night in Tunisia.’ This album is a request collection from fans, released in her 10th anniversary year.
Ten years after her striking debut at the young age of 16, she presents music that has grown and been refined.
Ai-No-TabiSleep Walker
Here is “Ai-No-Tabi” from Sleep Walker’s 2006 album The Voyage.
It’s a star-studded record featuring saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, known as a successor to John Coltrane, Bembe Segue, the queen of vocals in the club jazz and broken beat scenes, and Japanese-Swedish songstress Yukimi Nagano.
Make Her MineNaka-tsuka Takeshi
Although rooted in pop, this is a masterpiece cover album by Takeshi Nakatsuka that elevates the lineage of swing jazz into his own musical identity at a high level.
It is regarded as a new kind of jazz classic that refashions original swing jazz standards into a catchier flavor appealing to Japanese tastes.