Spiritual Jazz 8: Japan Part 1 & 2 CD

For the latest instalment in their long-running series chronicling the story of "modal, progressive and esoteric" jazz, the experts at Jazzman Records have turned their attention to the under-appreciated Japanese spiritual jazz scene. While Japan has always had a thriving jazz scene, many of the greatest records have never been released outside of the country, making this double-disc affair (the vinyl version was released in two separate parts) something of an essential purchase. There's certainly plenty to enjoy, from the riotous brilliance of Four Units' fine revolutionary cover of folk standard "Scarborough Fair" (complete with killer drum solos) and the high-octane, rock and Blaxploitation funk-influenced madness of Keitaro Miho's "Kikazaru", to the frenzied free-jazz brilliance of Kiyoshi Sugimoto's "Babalonyian Wind".

Jazzman/Juke Box Jams/Soul/Jazz45