Syl Johnson ‎ Uptown Shakedown (1979) [2012 Japan]

J. J. Johnson - First Place (1957) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 21}
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© 1957, 2015 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICJ 21 | Mono
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trombone

Reissue with the latest 2015 DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. Not J.J. Johnson's initial public offering by any means, First Place was done with only a quartet in 1957 for Columbia Records, where other efforts by the legendary jazz trombonist were set in a larger ensemble format. Long out of print, this is now on CD with bonus tracks from 1954 featuring Charles Mingus. Playing standards and originals, Johnson assembled a mighty band with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, and especially on-fire drummer Max Roach, a group you'd be hard-pressed to top.

Clint Houston - Inside The Plain Of The Elliptic (1979) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1979, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6404
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Bass

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. Bassist Clint Houston never made many albums as a leader, but all of them are well worth tracking down – and this one may be the best of the bunch! The set has Clint working with frequent musical partner Joanne Brackeen on piano, as well as Ryo Kawasaki on guitars – who'd played with Joanne around the same time – and percussionist Rubens Bassini completes the group, and adds in some great subtle elements at the bottom. Tracks are long, and often very personal – quite different than the sort of music that many other bassists might provide as a leader – and a great showcase for Houston's highly melodic approach to his instrument. Clint plays both acoustic and electric, and a bit of guitar as well – and titles include "Black Thing", "Geri", "Goodbye Mr P", "You Are Like The Sunshine", and "Letitia".

Harry Verbeke / Rob Agerbeek Quartet - Gibraltar (1979) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1979, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6410
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Post Bebop / Saxophone / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. A killer Dutch duo from the end of the 70s – tenorist Harry Verbeke, who's got a bold, clear sound – and pianist Rob Agerbeek, who's been making soulful sides from the 60s onwards! The pair get great accompaniment here from drummer Billy Higgins and bassist Herbie Lewis – the last of whom may be at his best here – with these well-placed, well-rounded lines that help the record groove right from the start – and which give the record a nice bounce, even in gentler moments – followed up strongly by Agerbeek and his strong sense of chord progressions. Most tunes are familiar, but get nice readings by the group – and titles include "Gibraltar, "Holy Land", "Soul Sister", "No Me Esqueca", and "No Problem".

Lionel Hampton & His Giants Of Jazz 1979 - Hamp In Haarlem (1979) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
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© 1979, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6412
Jazz / Vibes / Drums

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. Lionel Hampton was always at his best in a concert setting and this 1979 performance in Haarlem, the Netherlands, is not exception. Fronting a tentet consisting of both veterans and younger musicians, the vibraphonist's energy is contagious to both his band and the audience. The opener, "Glad Hamp" is a furious reworking of the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm," showcasing trumpeter Joe Newman.

Kansas - Japan 7 Disc Set (1974-1979) {2008 Japan Mini LP CD's EICP-1047~1054}
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© 1974-79, 2008 Epic / Sony BMG Music Japan | EICP-1047~1054
Rock / Progressive Rock / Classic Rock / Art Rock / Hard Rock

KANSAS The First Seven Albums (Superb set of SEVEN exclusive 2008 Japanese limited edition, digitally remastered CDs, comprising every album from 'Kansas' in 1974 to 'Monolith' in 1979, with each disc including many bonus tracks & housed in a mini LP style card picture sleeve reproducing the original LP artwork & inner sleeves, Japanese lyric booklet & nice retro obi-strips - A fantastic collection EICP-1047~54). Kansas Cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue series featuring the albums "Kansas," "Song For America," "Masque," "Leftoverture," "Point Of Know Return," "Two For The Show," and "Monolith." 2008 Remastering featured on "Monolith" and "Two For The Show."

Cedar Walton - Eastern Rebellion 3 (1979) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6331}
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© 1979, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6331
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Piano

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. The lesser-known third album by Cedar Walton's landmark Eastern Rebellion combo – one of the most important indie soul jazz groups of the late 70s, still going strong on this set! The lineup is still the same as on the second set – with Bob Berg on tenor, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and the wonderfully solid team of Billy Higgins and Sam Jones on rhythm. However, the sound here is slightly different – with a more conscious sense of disharmony at times – creating an unsettling edge that replaces the warm, fluid feel of earlier records. The change shows that Walton and the group were still growing and searching – and titles include "Incognito", "Firm Roots", "Seven Minds", and "Never Never Land".

Bryan Adams is the debut solo studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, after previously being the lead vocalist of Canadian hard rock band Sweeney Todd. The album was released on 12 February 1980 by A&M Records. "Hidin' from Love" reached number 64 and "Give Me Your Love" reached number 91 on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart. In early 1978, Bryan Adams teamed up with Jim Vallance (formerly of Canadian band Prism) to form a song-writing duo. A&M Records signed the pair as songwriters, not long before signing Adams as a recording artist. He worked on the debut album for the balance of 1979. The first single was "Hidin' from Love" in 1980, peaked at number 43 on the Billboard dance charts, which was followed up by "Give Me Your Love" and "Remember". Although the album never received any US notoriety on its debut, it was the door opener that led to getting radio play, tours, management, agents and the music business in general, interested in the 20-year-old songwriter.

Dick Katz - Piano & Pen (1959) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27165}
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© 1959, 2012 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27165
Jazz / Bop / Piano / Guitar

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Interesting session. Worth a listen. A versatile pianist and arranger, Dick Katz has been responsible for many stimulating and memorable recordings through the years, often as an important sideman and/or producer. He studied at the Peabody Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard, in addition to taking piano lessons from Teddy Wilson. In the 1950s, he picked up important experience as a member of the house rhythm section of the Café Bohemia, with the groups of Ben Webster and Kenny Dorham, the Oscar Pettiford big band, and later with Carmen McRae.

Brother Jack McDuff - A Change Is Gonna Come (1966) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27175}
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© 1966, 2012 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27175
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Groove / Organ Hammond B-3

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A sweet Atlantic soul groover from Brother Jack McDuff – and a set that has him tightening up his Hammond sound from his earlier years at Prestige Records! The tunes here are short and punched-up – almost instrumental soul numbers in their construction, but still filled with plenty of jazz – thanks to Jack's mad solos on organ, and some killer drums from Joe Dukes and Bernard Purdie! Other players include George Coleman on tenor, Cornell Dupree on guitar, and Buddy Lucas on baritone sax – and arrangements are by JJ Jackson and Jack himself.

Nat Adderley - Sayin' Somethin' (1966) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27058}
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© 1966, 2012 Warner Japan / Atlantic / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27058
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Cornet

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A stone killer from Cannonball Adderley's funky brother – one of the best soul jazz sets ever cut by Nat Adderley, and one done with a smoking 60s Atlantic Records groove! Nat's blowing trumpet throughout – and working in 2 different groups – one a larger ensemble with a tight soulful swing, arranged by Jimmy Wisner – the other a smaller combo with tenor from Joe Henderson and piano from Herbie Hancock! The whole thing grooves beautifully – and titles include "Gospelette", "Call Me", "Cantaloupe Island", "Hippodelphia", "The Other Side", and "Manchild".