Anzukko Little Peach (1958) Mikio Naruse, Sô Yamamura, Kyôko Kagawa, Isao Kimura, Drama

This anthology, which tries to sum up Isao Tomita's recordings for the Red Seal Label, actually managed to give a fairly complete panorama of his work. Tomita can be thought of as the precursor of ambient music - but unlike people who think that ambient is a sustained 23 minute sine wave, here music has Direction. Granted, most of the stuff is synthesized renditions of "impressionistic" classical works, but the imaginative use Isao makes of his array of synths (most of this stuff was recorded in the early 70's, so we're talking about modular synths mainly - long before computer programming was available). The sonic pallete fits perfectly, and he makes good use of repetitive arpeggiator sequences to get a pulse going - and then he works his magic, specially in the arranging department. A truly unique - and sadly underestimated - artist.

Avid Jazz presents four classic Carmen McRae albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “Torchy”; “After Glow”; “Mad About The Man” and “Birds Of A Feather”. By way of introduction to the release by our latest female artist, Carmen McRae, here is a quote from the original liner notes from “After Glow” the third selection in our four album, 2CD set. “Every so often the public is treated to an entertainer who is in some way special-not merely talented, but delightfully unusual. Lovely Carmen McRea is just such an entertainer. A vocal paradox, Carmen’s extraordinary voice is at once strong and confident, yet soft and tender”.Across these four releases you will witness not only the superb singing of the wonderful Ms. McRae but also her instrumental artistry. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered.