Tags: Japanese

Review: Some expansive, cinematic, orchestral spiritual jazz for you here, from the trio of talents that Fumio Itabashi, Kuniyiki and Henrik Schwarz. While the latter two are generally better-known for their deep and sometimes tech-tinged house and ambient productions, the original mix of 'Watarese' (featured here on side B) is a dense, immersive jazz soundscape laden with evocative Japanese vocals, improvised piano, moody orchestration and definite nods towards vintage free-jazz. Spiritual Life supremo Joaquin 'Joe' Clausell provides the remix and, somewhat predictably, steals the show. His take is gently rhythmic, sun-splashed spiritual jazz full of hand percussion, fluid piano motifs and rubbery double bass.

Review: For its last few outings, Gamm has rather been heading back to its roots. But now the label reverts away from hip-hop and back towards the Latin and disco sounds it has become best known for. And that's no bad thing as Koichi Toyama turns on his machines and gets the scalpel out to serve up some distinctive edits of four fiery broken beat and nu jazz gems. There are playful sax leads on the opener, muted vibes on the shuffling samba stylings of 'Santa Monica' and busier Rhodes chords on 'Grama Grass' before the jazz dancer that is 'Samba Chimba' offers another golden moment to close.

Review: Whatever the rest of the world can do, Japan often does it better, no matter how unlikely the subject. And once again here we have evidence that is true as Japan-based cumbia artist Real Thing returns with two fresh new gems as good as any you could find coming out of South America. Real Thing has been a DJ and producer in Osaka for the last 20-plus years and has dropped music on the likes of Emotional Especial. The two tunes he serves up here and fiery and heavily percussive rhythms with wild synth lines woven in, while Akio Nagase adds two even more wild and wonderful acid remixes.