It’s an exciting big band sound where the instrumental arrangements are a natural forefront highlight of Nakabayashi’s music written for alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, flute (x2), baritone saxophone, trumpet (x2), trombone (x2), piano, bass, and drums. All of the players are well-known, hard-working musicians working in and outside Japan in various forms. Special mention is made for trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, the most famous name in this group who is known for major label releases, international jazz festival activity, and collaborations with international musicians in jazz, fusion, and other genres.

The rhythms on Circles are energetic, many with modern jazz straight-eights and Latin-beat propulsion. The exciting individual horn soloists interlock grandly with written-out front-line horn section statements. This results in a live jazz sound that grabs listeners’ attention and illuminates different parts of the orchestra as the music unfolds.

As a long-experienced bassist, Nakabayashi knows how to expertly deliver the essential rhythmic and melodic roots when playing jazz to communicate intimately with listeners. As the leader on this album, he makes sure to keep driving an exciting groove throughout most of the songs, making several moments on the album equal candidates for highlights.

#1 “Circulo” introduces the exciting modern jazz sound overflowing with energy. #2 “Passing” shifts to a solid 3/4 time walk that is somehow both weighty and light. #3 “Choro for Charlie” (for Charlie Haden? Mingus? Parker?) is sleek with cool George Russellian quirks to it that keep the interest high. #4 “Partagas” is a brave adventure with a surprise piano montuno and drum solo embedded in its fusion/Latin groove.

#5 “My Ship” (tracks #5 and 6 are switched on the CD jacket), the sole jazz standard, is a laidback cool-down interval. #6 “Evenfall” is a magnificently suspenseful journey guided by an extended flute solo. #7 “Nocturne” has an emotional, graceful Ellingtonian sound, and together with track #5 offers a restful period on a disc otherwise filled with engaging whirlwinds. Finally, #8 “R.B.” is a fun, loud jazz blues that builds with popping swing-dance energy. Here the humble leader, not one to hog the mic, at last takes his only bass solo on the album (likely invoking “R.B.”, or Ray Brown, the famous long-time bassist in the Oscar Peterson trio). Nakabayashi plays a great four choruses on four strings before the ensemble locks into a lively orchestrated fanfare, a perfect way to close this Circle.

Audio and Video

• Promotional video for this album with brief excerpts:

• Promotional video for “Circulo”, track #1 on this album:

• Live performance of “Choro for Charlie”, track #3 on this album:

• Promotional video for “Pargatas”, track #4 on this album:

• Streaming/digital version of “Circles” (Bandcamp)

• Excerpt from track #6: “Evenfall”

Inspiring an easy-go-lucky party mood, the short songs are all of a piece, several even with unassuming titles such as “Sound Check”, “Track”, “Jam 1”, “Jam 2”, and “Jam 3”. It’s easy to put on the album, kick back, and let the music flow and invigorate the mood without any worries.

While session leader and bassist Koizimi states that the recording was not originally intended to be an official release but perhaps a demo tape or similar, the album was released as a memento of the spontaneity of the date. Many of the tracks are improvisational jams will all but basic structures undetermined, yet the spirit of fun with slick rhythms and exuberant grooves smoothly pours from the tracks.

Audio and Video

• Video featuring Yoshihito “P” Koizumi from 2008:

• Excerpt from track #1: “JB’s Poem”