Sayaka Kishi Trio: Life Is Too Great
Sayaka Kishi Trio: Life Is Too Great Jazz of Japan #81 • Sep 4, 2019 • Brian McCrory Expressing an exuberance for life with an original jazz spirit, Life Is...
Daiki Yasukagawa Trio: Kanmai
Daiki Yasukagawa Trio: Kanmai Jazz of Japan #80 • Aug 23, 2019 • Brian McCrory Like the expansive cover depicting a peaceful blue ocean and sky, jazz bassist...
Nobie: Bénin Rio Tokyo
Nobie: Bénin Rio Tokyo Jazz of Japan #79 • Aug 15, 2019 • Brian McCrory On Bénin Rio Tokyo, Japanese vocalist Nobie takes us on a musical journey spanning...
Layla Tomomi Sakai: The Island
Layla Tomomi Sakai: The Island Jazz of Japan #78 • Jul 23, 2019 • Brian McCrory Easy and breezy, as if dozing in a hammock between palm trees, Layla Tomomi...
Seiji Endo: Genji Monogatari Volume 1
Seiji Endo: Genji Monogatari Volume 1 Jazz of Japan #77 • Jul 16, 2019 • Brian McCrory Through a beautiful piano sound with deep reverberations, Seiji Endo’s...
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio: Sympathy
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio: Sympathy Jazz of Japan #76 • Jun 20, 2019 • Brian McCrory The sympathetic joy of listening to three accomplished musicians improvising...
Hikari Ichihara Group: Move On
Hikari Ichihara Group: Move On Jazz of Japan #75 • May 16, 2019 • Brian McCrory Hikari Ichihara’s fifth album Move On features the trumpeter’s quintet...
Yuichiro Aratake: The Light Flows In
Yuichiro Aratake: The Light Flows In Jazz of Japan #74 • May 9, 2019 • Brian McCrory Yuichiro Aratake’s The Light Flows In is a solo piano collection which...
Harumi Nomoto Trio: Virgo
Harumi Nomoto Trio: Virgo Jazz of Japan #73 • Apr 3, 2019 • Brian McCrory Pianist Harumi Nomoto’s 2014 release Virgo is a constellation of grooves, moods,...
Zephyr: Zephyr
Zephyr: Zephyr Jazz of Japan #72 • Mar 21, 2019 • Brian McCrory Through jazz, folk, rock, and imagination, the music on Zephyr unfurls like smoke rising from...
Masako Kunisada: M
Masako Kunisada: M Jazz of Japan #71 • Mar 14, 2019 • Brian McCrory The deep, soulful voice of Masako Kunisada warmly embraces the listener on her 2014...
Blue Dot: Halo
Blue Dot: Halo Jazz of Japan #70 • Mar 6, 2019 • Brian McCrory United by a stellar theme of the universe, the Tokyo jazz quartet Blue Dot explores stars and...
Akane Matsumoto: Playing New York
Akane Matsumoto: Playing New York Jazz of Japan #69 • Feb 19, 2019 • Brian McCrory New York-style jazz with a fresh Japanese take is the focus on 2010’s...
Shinpei Ruike & George Nakajima: N.40°
Shinpei Ruike & George Nakajima: N.40° Jazz of Japan #68 • Feb 12, 2019 • Brian McCrory Art music from two musician artists, N.40° is sweet and stimulating,...
Ryosuke Hashizume Group: Visible/Invisible
Ryosuke Hashizume Group: Visible/Invisible Jazz of Japan #67 • Jan 24, 2019 • Brian McCrory Music that takes you places, Visible/Invisible from the Ryosuke...
Maki Fujimura: Best Wishes
Maki Fujimura: Best Wishes Jazz of Japan #66 • Jan 14, 2019 • Brian McCrory Glamorous Osaka-based singer Maki Fujimura enraptures the audience with her silky...
Tokuhiro Doi Quartet: Amalthea
Tokuhiro Doi Quartet: Amalthea Jazz of Japan #65 • Jan 7, 2019 • Brian McCrory Tokuhiro Doi’s Amalthea from 2011 presents a modern jazz quartet from Japan...
Sanae Ishikawa: Grown-up Christmas Gift
Sanae Ishikawa: Grown-up Christmas Gift Jazz of Japan #64 • Dec 24, 2018 • Brian McCrory Enterprising singer Sanae Ishikawa presents us with her passionate...
Taihei Asakawa: Waltz for Debby
Taihei Asakawa: Waltz for Debby Jazz of Japan #63 • Dec 21, 2018 • Brian McCrory Although it may seem overly-ambitious to reinvent the classic 1961 Bill...
Fumie Chiba Trio: Tip of Dream
Fumie Chiba Trio: Tip of Dream Jazz of Japan #62 • Dec 2, 2018 • Brian McCrory Jazz pianist and composer Fumie Chiba’s Tip of Dream is a great example of...
Trispace: Trispace
Trispace: Trispace Jazz of Japan #61 • Nov 6, 2018 • Brian McCrory Inspired by a modern, clean European jazz sound, the jazz piano trio Trispace on their...
Michiyo Matsushita: Sally Gardens
Michiyo Matsushita: Sally Gardens Jazz of Japan #60 • Oct 25, 2018 • Brian McCrory Pianist Michiyo Matsushita’s Sally Gardens is a lively solo piano album...
Seiji Endo: Sakura Meditation
Seiji Endo: Sakura Meditation Jazz of Japan #59 • Oct 22, 2018 (rev. Apr 13, 2024) • Brian McCrory Sakura Meditation from pianist Seiji Endo is a gorgeous...
Sayaketts: Colors
Sayaketts: Colors Jazz of Japan #58 • Oct 15, 2018 • Brian McCrory At times light and carefree, yet also deeply and seriously musical, Sayaka Kishi’s “pure...
Taihei Asakawa Trio: Touch of Winter
Taihei Asakawa Trio: Touch of Winter Jazz of Japan #57 • Oct 1, 2018 • Brian McCrory Taihei Asakawa’s beautiful Touch of Winter from 2013 is a contemplative...
Koichi Sato: Utopia
Koichi Sato: Utopia Jazz of Japan #56 • Sep 26, 2018 • Brian McCrory Utopia is the debut leader album for pianist Koichi Sato, who reaches for high standards...
Ami Fukui: Amizm
Ami Fukui: Amizm Jazz of Japan #55 • Sep 7, 2018 (rev. Apr 20, 2024) • Brian McCrory Ami Fukui’s second album Amizm advertises “Mellow and Groovy” on the...
Hakuei Kim Trio: Open the Green Door
Hakuei Kim Trio: Open the Green Door Jazz of Japan #54 • Sep 5, 2018 • Brian McCrory Modern to the point of futuristic, Open the Green Door features an...
Yasumasa Kumagai: I Need a Change, Too
Yasumasa Kumagai: I Need a Change, Too Jazz of Japan #53 • Aug 31, 2018 (rev. Mar 23, 2024) • Brian McCrory Yasumasa Kumagai’s debut album from 2008, I Need...
Hideaki Hori Trio: Unconditional Love
Hideaki Hori Trio: Unconditional Love Jazz of Japan #52 • Aug 30, 2018 • Brian McCrory Unconditional Love is the 11th album from pianist Hideaki Hori and...
Akihiro Yoshimoto Quartet: Moving Color
Akihiro Yoshimoto Quartet: Moving Color Jazz of Japan #51 • Aug 18, 2018 (rev. Apr 6, 2024) • Brian McCrory Moving Color is the second album from saxophonist...
Wataru Hamasaki Meets Akane Matsumoto Trio: Big Catch
Wataru Hamasaki Meets Akane Matsumoto Trio: Big Catch Jazz of Japan #50 • Aug 13, 2018 • Brian McCrory “Swing & Blues” is the name of the game with /Big...
Yukako Yamano: 1st Stage
Yukako Yamano: 1st Stage Jazz of Japan #49 • Aug 8, 2018 • Brian McCrory Popular pianist Yukako Yamano’s 1st Stage is a rich and airy musical soufflé. Her...
Takako Yamada: The Flow of Time
Takako Yamada: The Flow of Time Jazz of Japan #48 • Jul 27, 2018 • Brian McCrory Takako Yamada’s The Flow of Time features 11 original compositions from the...
Ko Omura: Introspect
Ko Omura: Introspect Jazz of Japan #47 • Jul 17, 2018 • Brian McCrory Drummer Ko Omura leads the listener on his voyage of introspection on his debut album...
Taihei Asakawa: Catastrophe in Jazz
Taihei Asakawa: Catastrophe in Jazz Jazz of Japan #46 • May 22, 2018 • Brian McCrory Jazz pianist Taihei Asakawa pushes boundaries on his 2011 release...
Sanae Ishikawa: Feel Like Makin’ Love
Sanae Ishikawa: Feel Like Makin’ Love Jazz of Japan #45 • May 10, 2018 • Brian McCrory Tokyo-based jazz singer Sanae Ishikawa sings from her heart,...
Bungalow: Past Life
Bungalow: Past Life Jazz of Japan #44 • May 8, 2018 • Brian McCrory The jazz group Bungalow displays their original approach to modern art jazz on their...
Ayumi Koketsu: Rainbow Tales
Ayumi Koketsu: Rainbow Tales Jazz of Japan #43 • May 4, 2018 • Brian McCrory Saxophonist Ayumi Koketsu creates exciting modern jazz on her third album...
Yuya Wakai: Images
Yuya Wakai: Images Jazz of Japan #42 • Apr 26, 2018 • Brian McCrory Joyful notes flow effortlessly from pianist Yuya Wakai as he confidently opens his solo...
Miki Hayama Trio: Wide Angle
Miki Hayama Trio: Wide Angle Jazz of Japan #41 • Apr 19, 2018 • Brian McCrory Pianist Miki Hayama creates superb jazz on Wide Angle, exploring powerful,...
Ken’ichiro Shinzawa: Piano Works
Ken’ichiro Shinzawa: Piano Works Jazz of Japan #40 • Apr 16, 2018 • Brian McCrory Ideal for peaceful, calming piano, Ken’ichiro Shinzawa’s Piano Works...
Hara Dairiki Trio: You’ve Changed
Hara Dairiki Trio: You’ve Changed Jazz of Japan #39 • Apr 12, 2018 • Brian McCrory The Hara Dairiki Trio creates a jubilant atmosphere on You’ve Changed,...
Manabu Ohishi Trio: Wish
Manabu Ohishi Trio: Wish Jazz of Japan #38 • Apr 10, 2018 • Brian McCrory From Osaka-based label Atelier Sawano comes this beautifully-recorded jazz trio...
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio “Parallax”: Live
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio “Parallax”: Live Jazz of Japan #37 • Apr 6, 2018 • Brian McCrory This 2016 album simply entitled Live from Hitomi Nishiyama’s Parallax...
Mayuko Katakura: The Echoes of Three
Mayuko Katakura: The Echoes of Three Jazz of Japan #36 • Apr 2, 2018 • Brian McCrory Pianist Mayuko Katakura’s 2015 album The Echoes of Three captures an...
Les Komatis: Les Komatis
Les Komatis: Les Komatis Jazz of Japan #35 • Mar 28, 2018 • Brian McCrory Three established musicians join up to release Les Komatis, a rich fusion of jazz,...
Kaori Vibes Quartet: Cross Point
Kaori Vibes Quartet: Cross Point Jazz of Japan #34 • Mar 23, 2018 • Brian McCrory Vibist Kaori Nakajima returns with her second album Cross Point featuring...
Atomi Hamada: This is Atomi
Atomi Hamada: This is Atomi Jazz of Japan #33 • Mar 20, 2018 • Brian McCrory Jazz singer Atomi Hamada releases This is Atomi, a five-track debut featuring...
Ami Fukui Trio: New Journey
Ami Fukui Trio: New Journey Jazz of Japan #32 • Mar 16, 2018 • Brian McCrory Ami Fukui’s third album New Journey grabs the listener’s attention with...
Meu Coracao: A Tempo
Meu Coracao: A Tempo Jazz of Japan #31 • Mar 14, 2018 • Brian McCrory The Japanese vocal-guitar duo Meu Coração releases the stunning A Tempo as a return to...
Seiji Endo: Tsutaete Ikou
Seiji Endo: Tsutaete Ikou Jazz of Japan #30 • Mar 11, 2018 • Brian McCrory In memory of the lives taken by the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of...
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio: Music in You
Hitomi Nishiyama Trio: Music in You Jazz of Japan #29 • Mar 9, 2018 • Brian McCrory Hitomi Nishiyama’s 2011 album Music in You features an established trio...
Tomoka Miwa: Colors in Silence
Tomoka Miwa: Colors in Silence Jazz of Japan #28 • Mar 7, 2018 • Brian McCrory Tomoka Miwa, Tokyo-based jazz and pop singer, uses her jazz palette on Colors...