Nagoya Nights (A Journey Into 1970's Japanese Jazz, Funk & Fusion 日本のジャズとファンク音楽への旅)
Perhaps little known to most in the West, from the late 60’s to mid 80’s, Japan had a thriving jazz movement, with a plethora of talented artists bringing every type of jazz sound to the table. Digging deep into the crates, this selection focuses more on the jazz-funk side of things, with several spiritual jazz and funk tracks included. Most of the music in this set was recorded in the 70’s, which many collectors regard as the golden era of J-Jazz. There is also a track from 1968; Tadao Sawai’s “Constant Rain” ... Several tracks feature the Japanese “shakuhachi”, an instrument derived from the ancient Chinese bamboo flute, and another Japanese instrument known as the "koto", derived from the Chinese "guzheng". There are many sides to J-Jazz, but this "Jazz-Funk" sound is incredibly appealing to my ears. Hope you enjoy it too. The title is a reference to one of Japan's largest cities, Nagoya.
Photo - Nagoya, JP
R.I.P. Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, who recently passed away.
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I'm currently in the middle of this rabbit hole and loving it! You always bring it, Steve, every time. This mix is brilliant, its not too "Jazzy", never goes off the rails but its really groovy! You educate and entertain in the same instance, Steve and that is a rare gift!
And for me, the Highlight is "We are the One"!! Absolutely groovy track!! Its the type of music you'd find Lou Rawls grooving to!
Thank you Gerard!! ... Rabbit hole is the perfect term to describe this treasure chest of classic Japanese jazz and funk!! ... Once you start digging, there are all kinds of gems to be discovered ... I know exactly what you mean about it not being too "jazzy" ... I do like a bit of jazz, but it has to have some funk to it, to keep me hooked ... That's why acid jazz and 90's hip hop were so good ... because they took traditional jazz styles and made it funky ... Always a pleasure to educate and entertain ... It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm not one to follow the herd ... I play what I play, and if people dig it, well that's just a bonus!!!! ... Thanks again for checking it out mate, and I'm glad you enjoyed the ride!! 😎🎧🎵
Hi Steve, a visit to your page is always guaranteed to bring something really fresh and different, and thats why your up there with my favourites on MC. Unfortunately i had to listen in 3 parts but it didn't detract. The opening track made for a fantastic intro and i really enjoyed all the tracks, but some highlights were Sandstorm, Adult's Day and Sunrise. Going to bookmark this one and come back to it for a lazy sunday morning with coffee - i know the missus will love this. Have a good rest of the weekend mate, and thanks again for bringing new (to me) tracks and artists
Many thanks Tim!!! ... I love delving into different sounds, and I was very happy when I started discovering all these old Japanese jazz and funk tunes some years ago ... It's quite the rabbit hole once you get digging, and I'm sure I have barely even scratched the surface, but that's all part of the fun I guess!!!!! ... I will continue to dig out more of these lost gems, and there will be a follow up session to this at some point in the future, although I have no idea when, as I have so many other sets in the pipeline ... Some great tracks you picked out there, especially the opening track, which sets the scene with the sound of the fantastic shakuhachi instrument ... "Adult's Day" is another fantastic track, and anything by Jiro Inagaki and Soul Media is always good!! ... Definitely a lazy Sunday morning session this one ... and hopefully a nice change from all the house and techno! ... Huge thanks again for tuning in Tim, and I'm glad you enjoyed this slice of 1970's Japan!!!! ... Have a great weekend mate! 👊😎🎧🎵
Great session, x❤️❤️❤️❤️
Lost for superlatives about this session Steve! Start to finish just perfectly crafted, old but so fresh and so deserved if the exposure. Always education, entertainment and awe with your sessions bro! 💯🔥🎵👏❤️
Thank you Shep!! ... It's been a real treat for me discovering all these old Japanese jazz and funk gems over the last 6 or 7 years, and I'm glad I finally got round to sharing some of them here, as I think they definitely deserve more exposure ... I've collected quite a lot of this stuff, so there will certainly be a sophomore session in due course! ... Thanks again for checking in bro, and I'm glad you enjoyed these far eastern jazz treats!! 😎🎧🎵
Brother James ... you’re practically an Olympic level weightlifter with the way you flex those musical muscles bro. Your range is extraordinary and to be admired. This genre is quite new to my ears and therefore by default, refreshing. I appreciate your love of the craft and your incredible skill. Another triumph. ❤️👊
Well that's quite the compliment Mr. James, and much appreciated! ... I guess I just have a curious ear, and I enjoy a myriad of different musical styles 😄 ... This one was something quite different, but I'm glad you found it refreshing! ... Thanks again for tuning in bro, and have a great week!! 😎🎧🎵
Tracklist;
1.Kiyoshi Yamaya, Kifu Mitsuhashi - Nanbu Ushioi-Uta (1976)
2.Kiyoshi Yamaya, Kifu Mitsuhashi - Asadoya Yunta (1976)
3.Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media (Japan) - I Want To Take You Higher (1970)
4.Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media (Japan) - Head Rock (1970)
5.Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalo Jazz & Rock Band (Hiromasa Suzuki, Hitoshi Yokoyama, Isao Eto, Kimio Mizutani, Kunimitsu Inaba, Masaoki Terakawa, Tadataka Nakazawa, Takehisa Suzuki & Takeru Muraoka) - Sandstorm (1970)
6.Yuji Ohno - Space Kid (1978)
7.Kiyoshi Yamaya, Toshiko Yonekawa - Yagi-Bushi (1976)
8.Tadaaki Misago & Tokyo Cuban Boys - Sakura Sakura (1976)
9.Tadao Sawai, Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd Orchestra - Constant Rain (1968)
10.Hozan Yamamoto, Nobuo Hara - Spotlight On Sapporo (Yasuki-Bushi) (1972)
11.Masaru Imada Trio - Green Caterpillar (1975)
12.Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd Orchestra - Adult's Day (1972)
13.ゼロ戦 (Zerosen) - サン・オブ・ピン・ヘッド (Son Of Pin Head) (1977)
14.渡辺貞夫 (Sadao Watanabe) - ウィ・アー・ジ・ワン (We Are The One) (1979)
15.Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media (Japan) - Breeze (1975)
16.Akira Ishikawa & His Count Buffalo Jazz & Rock Band (Hiromasa Suzuki, Hitoshi Yokoyama, Isao Eto, Kimio Mizutani, Kunimitsu Inaba, Masaoki Terakawa, Tadataka Nakazawa, Takehisa Suzuki & Takeru Muraoka) - Sunrise (1970)
17.Hiroshi Suzuki - Romance (1976)
18.福村博 (Hiroshi Fukumura) & 渡辺貞夫 (Sadao Watanabe) - ホワイト・クラウズ(White Clouds) (1978)
Awesome grooves with a great vibe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you John!!! ... Very happy you enjoyed it! ... Have a great weekend!! 😎🎧🎵
Sensacional!! 🤩
Wonderful set to listen from beginning to end. 🎧🎶🎵🎵🎵
Congrats Steve!!! 🥂
Thank you Gimenes!!! ... I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed this selection ... I'm sure you noticed the Brazilian influence in Tadao Sawai's "Constant Rain" !! ... Thank you again for tuning in, and have a great weekend!! 😎🎧🎵
I could say: "Fantastic surprise!", but in these 2 words 1 is not right....surprise. At this point I get used to expect something different from you and that's how it is even this time: another music lesson, so thanks my dear crook! What about the other word left?! Ahhhh, yessss....fantastic...and that's the right one! Awesome sharing of great unknown vibes Steve, so thanks twice, chapeau! Wish u a super upcoming weekend! :-)
Haha so the surprises have become so common that they are no longer surprises!! ... I'm always happy to offer an insight into something a bit different! ... I've been wanting to do this set for a while, but only just got round to it ... I will definitely be doing another one in the future, although I'm not sure when!! ... Thanks again for tuning in Diego, and and I'm glad you enjoyed these rare Japanese gems!! ... Have a great weekend! 😎🎧🎵
Fine session Steve ! Thanks to you i discovered a musical side of Japan i had no idea existed ! Beautiful Music ✌😎
Thank you Chris!! ... Always happy to bring something different to the table, and I'm glad you enjoyed hearing these funky Japanese jazz gems! ... Have a great weekend bro!! 😎🎧🎵