[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Our July 4th Clearance Sale (July 1-6) was a resounding success! Thank you to all customers who visited our website during the sale week!

New Arrivals

Five New Releases from Venus Records!

Dan Nimmer Trio / Yours Is My Heart Alone
The eagerly awaited third release from the up-and-coming pianist (the right hand man of Wynton Marsalis), with a superb rhythm section consisting of Peter Washington and Lewis Nash! Swinging!

Laura Ann Boyd & Quatro Na Bossa / Summer Samba
The young singer from Richmond, Virginia's debut CD with her bossa nova band. Authentic bossa rhythms, great song selections and wonderful, seductive singing. An excellent bossa CD!

Renato Sellani & Danilo Rea / Amapola
The Italian maestro Renato Sellani teams up with another great Italian pianist of a younger generation. Beautiful and lyrical dialogues between two pianists. Great sound, too! Wow!

Renato Sellani Trio / O Sole Mio
The twin CD recorded in the same one-day session as Sellani's Venus debut CD My Foolish Heart. This one is a collection of Italian songs. A swinging and passionate piano trio recording!

Francesco Cafiso Sicilian Quartet / Portrait In Blaci And White
The long-awaited third release from the teenage alto saxophone phenomenon from Italy! Features his fellow Sicilian musicians in a drum-less quartet setting. Brilliant and exciting!

World Premier Reissue on CD!
Discomate West Coast Jazz Series

Discomate was a Japanese label that took a special interest in recording West Coast jazz musicians in the late 1970s through early 1980s. Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin helped the label by acting as producer and performer.

Three of Discomate's West Coast Jazz Series are now reissued for the first time on CD, by SSJ Records of Japan. These limited edition CDs are DSD-remastered for great sound and come in a gorgeous paper sleeve package. Music and performance are first-rate. They are great collectors' items for fans of West Coast jazz!

Toshiko Akiyoshi / Just Be-Bop
A wonderful be-bop session produced by Akiyoshi, with Charles McPherson, Steven Huffsteter and Roy McCurdy! [Rec. 1980]

Jimmy Knepper in L.A.
Lew Tabackin produced this rare leader album by the great but under-exposed trombonist. With an all-star cast of Shelly Manne, Roger Kellaway and Monty Budwig! [Rec. 1977]

Dick Spencer / Shining Hour
Also produced by Lew Tabackin, this is the first and only leader album by the great alto saxophonist of the Akiyoshi-Tabackin big band. Spencer shows off his skills and talents as soloist with Conte Candoli, Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins! [Rec. 1978]

A brand-new release from Atelier Sawano!

Robert Lakatos Trio / You And The Night And The Music
The Hungarian pianist's third CD from Atelier Sawano more than meets the expectations. With first-call German bassist Thomas Stabenow and drummer Klaus Weiss, Lakatos gives us beautiful piano trio music. The sonics are also superb!

Three new release from Marshmallow Records!

Gene DiNovi's Generations Trio / Brand New Morning
Veteran pianist DiNovi (b. 1928) formed an inter-generational new group with bassist Dave Young (b. 1940) and guitarist Andrew Scott (b. 1970). The drum-less trio's live recording is an elegant, swinging and delightful affair!

Jan Lundgren / Soft Summer Breeze
Swedish pianist Lundgren's latest and 9th Marshmallow release was recorded during his tour in Japan with the two great Danes -- virtuosi Jesper Lundgaard and Alex Riel. They are undoubtedly one of the best piano trios in the world today!

David Virelles Trio / Oblivion
Born in Cuba and now living in Toronto, David Virelles is a brilliant young pianist with great technique, a deep understanding of bebop, and a wide range of influences. A fresh and exciting debut CD!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals

Two brand-new releases from SwingBros!

Sumiko Fukatsu / Caminho Do Sol
Japanese flutist Sumiko Fukatsu's seventh CD as leader explores the various rhythms of Brazil and tunes written by modern and contemporary Brazilian composers. Recorded in Los Angeles with Bill Cantos, Tom Kennedy, Fabiano do Nascimento and Kevin Winard! A wonderful tapestry of Brazilian music!

Harry Allen / Viva! Bossa Nova
Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen celebrates the 50th anniversary of the bossa nova with this superb collection of well-known bossa tunes. Great music, and wonderful sound!

Three rare 1980s piano trio reissues from DIW!

A private label established by Disk Union, one of the biggest record store chains in Japan, DIW Records has been producing wonderful jazz albums and CDs for the Japanese audience. They've decided to remaster and reissue some long out-of-print piano trio albums produced in the 1980s. They've chosen the best and rarest for this series, and the first three titles are now available through Eastwind Import!

John Hicks Trio / Inc. 1
This powerful and energetic record was made in Japan in 1985 during John Hicks' tour of Japan with a formidable rhythm section of Walter Booker and Idris Muhammad, and captured Hicks in his prime. This lively, exciting set is a must-have for fans of John Hicks! (Rec. 1985)

Geri Allen Charlie Haden Paul Motian / Segments
Three innovative, adventurous masters came together for a very special project. Intense interactions and technical brilliance lead to exhilarating moments. Some critics regard this as one of the best jazz piano trio albums of the entire 1980s! Wow! Swing Journal Gold Disc. (Rec. 1989)

Mulgrew Miller Reggie Workman Frederick Waits / Trio Transition
This special group formed to tour and record in Japan teamed the young pianist Mulgrew Miller with veteran bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Frederick Waits. The trio work together very well in this crisply swinging, uplifting and sophisticated set. Very impressive!

Three seductive vocal albums from three singers!

Cheryl Bentyne / Songs Of Our Time
In this wonderful new release, the famed member of Manhattan Transfer explores "new standards" of our time, those written or sung by The Carpenters, Carol King, Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones, among others. A very high quality pop album created by jazz musicians, and wonderful sonics, too! Swing Journal Gold Disc.

Alice Ricciardi / Comes Love
The biggest singing talent to emerge from Italy since Roberta Gambarini! This debut CD showcases a straight-ahead jazz singer with a beautiful voice and solid technique. Her voice and delivery reminds me of Irene Kral and Carmen McRae. Wow!

Simone / Let's Fall In Love
The Austrian singer's fourth CD to be released from Venus Records pairs her with great NY jazz musicians (John di Martino, George Mraz, Victor Lewis, Houston Person). Together they explore romantic ballads from several genres. Very impressive, and wonderful sonics, too!

Complete Sonny Rollins In Japan (2CD)
Exciting news for the fans of Sonny Rollins! The legendary concert from 1973 is for the first time presented in its entirety! Disc 2 of this special 2-disc set contains 58 minutes of previously unreleased material! Newly remastered with JVC's cutting-edge K2 HD technology from the original analog master tapes for vivid, detailed and dynamic sound. Wow!

Coming Soon...

• Trumpet sensation Eric Miyashiro's latest big band release is a tribute to Maynard Ferguson!
• New recording from MOJO Records: Ernie Watts and Plas Johnson - All Blues!
• New from Birds Records: David Matthews' Manhattan Jazz Orchestra - Spain!
• Entire catalog of new, exciting, audiophile classical label Yarlung Records!
• Three premier releases from a new Japanese independent label A60JAZZ!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals

Eric Miyashiro / Pleiades - Tribute to Maynard Ferguson
Super trumpeter Eric Miyashiro's heartfelt tribute to his memtor and all-time hero is full of fun, groove, and stratospheric high notes! Definitely one of the best big band CDs this year!

Manhattan Jazz Orchestra / Spain
The theme of the latest and 14th release by David Matthews and his long-standing New York big band is "Spain." Matthews' brilliant arrangements of famous Spanish tunes are executed to perfction by star players including Lew Soloff, Ryan Kisor and Andy Snitzer!

Ernie Watts & Plas Johnson L.A. R&B Project / All Blues
The two giants of tenor sax have a ball in this brand-new, "all blues" album. They have very different, distinct tones and styles, but what they share is a plenty of soul and deep blues feeling. What a treat!

Introducing Yarlung Records

Eastwind Import is proud to introduce Yarlung Records, a new, audiophile classical label with a passion for discovering young musicians and a special focus on 20th and 21st century composers. Established and run by Bob Attiyeh, the energetic producer, music lover and recording engineer, Yarlung Records takes pride in providing young, talented musicians their first chance to record professionally to help launch their international concert careers.

Another feature of the label is their audiophile focus. Using the fewest microphones in a natural acoustic space, Bob captures the music as it happens in the purest form and records direct-to-two-track on the spot. The best-of-the-industry team of Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray master the recording for the CD format. The sound quality of their CDs is simply stunning: pure, vivid, detailed and dynamic!

David Fung / The Piano: A Journey From Hubris To Humility

David Fung / The Piano: Evening Conversations

Janaki String Trio / Debut

Orion Weiss / Orion (24K Gold CD)

David Howard/ David Howard

Elinor Frey & David Fung Dialoghi

Ryan MacEvoy McCullough / In Concert

Joanne Pearce Martin / Barefoot

Coming Soon...

• Three premier releases from a new, Japanse independent jazz label A60JAZZ featuring Tiger Okoshi, Mukai Shigeharu and Kosuke Mine!
• Toshiko Akiyoshi's two new releases: A collaboration with Germany's SWR Big Band and a duet album (Ellington songbook) with Lew Tabackin!
• Two more from DIW's reissues of piano trios from the 1980s: George Cables and Stanley Cowell!
• From The Netherlands: Jazz Orchestra of The Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruler!
• Two CDs featuring New York's talented young guitarists: Gilad Hekselman and Peter Mazza!
• Two bossa nova albums by Eliane Elias and Ron Carter!
• Highly anticipated debut album of singer Amanda Brecker (daughter of Randy Brecker and Eliane Elias)!
• A rare reissue: Mark Murphy's Midnight Mood from the MPS label!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import is now equipped to process your credit card orders directly over the phone! We take Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. If you don't feel comfortable entering your credit card information over the Internet or have difficulties with the PayPal payment system, simply call us at 714-334-0759 (US Pacific Time) with your order and credit card information. We will process your order right there and then!

Eastwind Import will be selling CDs at the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society's August meeting, to be held at Holiday Inn, Buena Park, CA on Sunday, August 24. This is a huge event featuring everything related to headphone hi-fi. Come to this exciting event, buy direct and save on shipping! You'll be able to use your credit card, too! For details, go to the LAOCAS' website.

Eastwind Import will be selling CDs at the West Coast Jazz Party, to be held at Irvine Marriott from August 28 through 31. This great straight-ahead jazz festival features dozens of great musicians including Benny Green, Bill Mays, Terry Gibbs, Jeff Hamilton, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person and Jack Sheldon! Come to this exciting event, buy direct and save on shipping! You'll be able to use your credit card, too! For details, go to the West Coast Jazz Party's website.

New Arrivals

Three Hybrid SACDs from Telarc Jazz

Although they are not "imports," Eastwind Import has decided to carry some SACDs released by Telarc, is one of the very few jazz labels that records in pure DSD and releases new material on hybrid SACDs. These great-sounding discs are compatible with both regular CD players and SACD players.

Hiromi's Sonicbloom / Beyond Standard (Hybrid SACD)
A brand-new release from the Japanese super-pianist Hiromi Uehara! For the first time, she tackles tunes written by composers other than herself. But expect a wild ride that is full of surprises and bursting creativity!

The Tierney Sutton Band / On The Other Side (Hybrid SACD)
Tierney Sutton is one of my favorite jazz singers today. Her beautiful voice, impeccable technique and a long-standing relationship with one of the best bands around are some of the factors that make her albums wonderful. Her latest release is another towering achievement!

Tierney Sutton Something Cool (Hybrid SACD)
Sutton's 2002 release showed her rapid maturity as a singer. The tight band includes Christian Jacob, one of the best pianists around today!

Anita O'Day / Live In Tokyo 1963 (DVD)
This asounding 1963 live televised concert from Japan is destined to become the quintessential Anita O'Day concert. Anita is backed by a full Orchestra, and this 15-song live footage has never been released in the US until now. A classic performance capturing Anita at the pinnacle of her Verve period!

Toshiko Akiyoshi and The SWR Big Band / Let Freedom Swing (2CD)
This import from Germany finds the legendary bandleader/urlrranger and NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi playing the piano and conducting the superb SWR Big Band. Her bebop-based and intricate scores come to life once again. This is an exciting new release for fans of Akiyoshi and big band in general!

Toshiko Akiyoshi & Lew Tabackin / Vintage
For the first time in their 39-year personal and musical partnership, Akiyoshi and Tabackin made a full album as a duo, and it's a wonderful Duke Ellington songbook! Wow!

Mark Murphy / Midnight Mood
A rare reissue of singer Mark Murphy's 1967 recording made for MPS in Germany. A classic vocal album supported by a cool band including Ronnie Scott, Sahib Shihab, Francy Boland and Kenny Clarke!

Introducing a new Japanese label: A60JAZZ!

A60JAZZ is a brand-new, independent Japanese jazz label extablished by Kenny Inaoka. The target audience is those who are "around 60" years of age, with experience and taste to distinguish the fluff from the real stuff. The first three releases feature top Japanese musicians: super trumpeter Tiger Okoshi, trombonist Shigeharu Mukai and tenor saxophonist Kosuke Mine. They are all superb, both in terms of the performance and sound quality. Wow!

Tiger Okoshi / Plays Standards
Shigeharu Mukai / Plays Standards
Kosuke Mine / Plays Standards

Brand-new bossa albums by Eliane Elias and Ron Carter!

Eliane Elias / Bossa Nova Stories
Superb pianist and singer Eliane Elias's celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the bossa nova is a gorgeously recorded gem of an album. Her cool, seductive voice is prominently featured and backed by an all-star band led by her husband Marc Johnson. Oscar Castro-Neves is on the guitar, and Toots Thielemans and Ivan Lins appear as guests.

Ron Carter / Jazz & Bossa
Bass master Ron Carter has been long associated with the bossa nova, since he appeared on Antonio Carlos Jobim's historic album Wave in the 1960s. This very jazzy bossa album features his regular group as well as Javon Jackson on tenor sax.

Coming soon...

• Two more from DIW's reissues of piano trios from the 1980s: George Cables and Stanley Cowell!
• From The Netherlands: Jazz Orchestra of The Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruler!
• Two CDs featuring New York's talented young guitarists: Gilad Hekselman and Peter Mazza!
• Highly anticipated debut album of singer Amanda Brecker (daughter of Randy Brecker and Eliane Elias)!
• Big scoop! Previously unreleased live recording of Art Pepper from 1980!
• Eric Alexander's latest from Venus Records: Gentle Ballads III!
• XRCDs: Jacintha, Dave Grusin, Kenny Burrell, Andre Previn and Heifetz Plays Gershwin!
• Brand-new SACD version of Reference Recording's great-sounding orchestral sampler, Tutti!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals

Two more piano trio reissues from DIW Records!

George Cables Trio / Night And Day
Lyrical, bebop-based pianist known for his association with Art Pepper, Cables showcased his artistry and impressed Japanese fans with this "hidden gem" of an album with Cecil McBee and Billy Hart. Wonderful! (Rec. 1991)

Stanley Cowell Frederick Waits Buster Williams / We Three
Three formidable musicians recorded this album in 1987 during their tour in Japan. As a dynamic and responsive collective, they inspire and interact with one another in a equal footing. Inspirational and exciting! (Rec. 1987)

Previously unreleased live recording of Art Pepper from 1980!

Art Pepper Quartet / London Live 1980
The legendary alto saxophonist's first regular group since his "comeback" in the mid-1970s traveled around the world, but their recording was never released -- until now. The group with Milcho Leviev, Bob Magnusson and Carl Burnett is very tight and supports Pepper very well, who is brilliant throughout this exciting and beautiful live set. A must-have for fans of Art Pepper!

Impressive debut album by singer Amanda Brecker!

Amanda Brecker / Here I Am
This is a highly anticipated debut album by Amanda Brecker, singer/songwriter and daughter of Randy Brecker and Eliane Elias. With the help of arranger David Matthews, Amanda impresses with her beautiful, pure voice and wows with her songwriting skills. Very impressive, sophisticated pop album underscored by jazz sensibilities and superb musicianship. Repeated listening made me like this CD more and more! Swing Journal Gold Disc!

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruler!

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw / Riffs 'N Rhythms
This is a swinging and exciting live album from the premier big band of The Netherlands, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. The album features original compositions of the conductor/arranger Henk Meutgeert and a superb rhythm section including Jesse van Ruler (guitar), Peter Beets (piano) and Martijn Vink (drums)!

A brand-new release from Atelier Sawano!

Tizian Jost Trio / The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
German pianist Tizian Jost's latest and third release from Atelier Sawano is a great swinger, paying tribute to American jazz composers such as Bobby Timmons, Oscar Pettiford and Cedar Walton. A wonderful piano trio album!

Introducing a new label: LateSet Records

LateSet Records is a brand-new jazz label based in New York and Tokyo. The focus of the label and owner and executive producer, Yasuo Sakai, is to discover talented musicians "who are the pure and passionate, who never play for the money, the fame, or the commercialism" and promote them, giving them a chance to record and release CDs.

The artists they support -- all four of them so far happen to be guitarists -- have fierce individuality and creativity, brilliant technical skills and adventurous mind. If you want to know what is going on in New York's jazz scene and find out about those young, brilliant guitarists, you would do well to check out this brand-new Japanese-American label!

Two brilliant, young guitarists from New York!

Gilad Hekselman / Words Unspoken
Born in Israel in 1983, Hekselman was just 22 years old when he won the 2005 Gibson Montreux International Guitar Competion. In his first studio album, he teams with great New York musicians (Joe Martin, Marcus Gilmore and guest Joel Frahm) wows the listener with jaw-dropping technique, maturity and sensitivity beyond his age, quiet intensity, and impressive compositional skills. Amazing!

Peter Mazza / Through My EyesAnother talented guitarist who lives in New York, Mazza's main instrument is steel string acoustic guitar. He uses unique, open tunings and, on some occasion, overdubs his electric and baritone guitars to create a truly unique soundscapes. An exciting, cutting-edge guitar jazz!

A brand-new Venus release from Eric Alexander!

Eric Alexander Quartet / Gentle Ballads III
Top tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander's latest release, the third in the "Gentle Ballads" series is a modern masterpiece! His big tone, small nuances, and muscular style free of cheap sentimentality combine to create stunning, beautiful music. Very highly recommended!

From Italy: Fabulous trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso and his super group High Five!

High Five / Five For Fun
High Five, originally known as the High Five Quintet, is an Italian all-star group of youngish, hard-bop oriented musicians, led by the fabulous trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso. This exhilarating straight-ahead album is perfect for the summer season. When you listen to it, I bet you'll feel like jumping for joy! I'm certain this will be one of the BEST jazz albums of 2008. Highly recommended!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import will be selling CDs at the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's Big Band Fiesta, to be held at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, October 9-12. This event will feature latin jazz performed by big bands, from Stan Kenton's Cuban Fire to Miles Davis' Skecthes of Spain. For details, go to LAJI's website.

New Arrivals - Jazz

Art Pepper Quartet / Paris Live 1980
Art Pepper's previously unreleased recording from 1980 and a sister release of London Live 1980. This is HUGE for fans of Pepper and West Coast jazz!

Cathy Rocco / You're Gonna Hear From Me
This brand-new release from Resonance Records introduces a wonderful singer Cathy Rocco who has a soulful voice and sophisticated phrasing. Great arrangements and support from LA's top musicians including Tamir Hendelman!

Kenny Barron / Live At Fat Tuesdays
This rare reissue of Enja album takes us back to the famous jazz club in New York in 1988. Barron's super band with Eddie Henderson and John Stubblefield burns with inspired, hard-bop performance!

Great-sounding XRCDs and an SACD

Jacintha Jacintha Is Her Name (XRCD24)
Singaporean singer Jacintha's tribute to Julie London features great jazz musicians such as Bill Cunliffe, Harry Allen and Ron Echete. The sparce instrumentation brings out Jacintha's seductive voice and the super-high quality of this recording. Wow!

Jacintha Best Of Jacintha (Hybrid SACD)
Jacintha's first "best of" album contains best takes from her six albums released so far from Groove Note. Beautifully remastered in hybrid SACD format, this is a must-have item for audiophiles!

Dave Grusin / Discovered Again! Plus (XRCD24)
This is an XRCD24 reissue of the legendary direct-cutting session produced by Sheffield Lab in 1976. Featuring an all-star band that included Ron Carter, Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason and Larry Bunker, this disc is reference quality both in terms of performance and sound quality!

Kenny Burrell / Soul Call (XRCD2)
The great jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's classic 1964 Riverside recording comes back to life in this great-sounding XRCD2 reissue. The bluesy and soulful session features Will Davis on piano and Ray Barretto on congas.

André Previn and His Pals / West Side Story (XRCD2)
The golden trio of Previn, Shelly Manne and Red Mitchell brings swing, sophistication and "California cool" to the Leonard Bernstein musical. This is one of the trio's best records, and it never sounded better than this XRCD2 reissue!

New Arrivals - Classical

Trondheim Solistene / Divertimenti (Blu-ray & Hybrid SACD)
The first music-only recording to be made available in the new format of Blu-ray. A true world premiere! This 2L release from Norway also includes a hybrid SACD. No matter which format you listen to, It's a sonic marvel!

Gary Karr / Super Double-Bass (XRCD24)
Legendary bassist Gary Karr performs popular standards on a milestone format in fine audio sound, XRCD24. Gary's interpretation of the masters' works is touching and profoundly musical!

Heifetz Plays Gershwin & Music of France (XRCD24)
Renowned violinist Jascha Heifetz is accompanied by pianist Brooks Smith for this recording of Gershwin compositions (Heifetz's own transcriptions for violin and piano) as well as music of France by Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and more!

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - Mariss Jansons / Stravinsky - L'Oiseau de feu, Le sacre du printemps (Hybrid SACD)
Two of Stravinsky's important ballet scores are brought together on a fine-sounding SACD. With exceptional orchestral detail, this may be the finest recorded sound ever for this repertoire! Extraordinary!

Coming soon...

• Brand-new SACD version of Reference Recording's great-sounding orchestral sampler, Tutti!
• Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw’s latest release featuring guitarist Jesse van Ruller and his compositions!
• SHM-CDs: Newly developed audiophile CDs using higher quality polycarbonate material! Look for an SHM-CD Jazz Sampler that comes with 2 discs containing the same music content--one regular CD and one SHM-CD --so you can compare them yourself!
• SHM-CD reissues: Select titles by Chet Baker and Bennie Wallace!
• Two rare reissues of Tommy Flanagan’s albums: Jazz Poet and Beyond The Bluebird (with Kenny Burrell)
• A brand-new release by Junior Mance: Blue Minor!
• Many recently released titles from Venus Records!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals - Jazz

Introducing Resonant Music: A wonderful Norwegian jazz label

Resonant Music is a Norwegian, independent jazz label founded by extraordinary bassist Terje Gewelt. Recording, mixing and/or mastering in its own studio in Oslo, the label has released 19 CDs to date, featuring contemporary Norwegian jazz musicians. The common qualities of these CDs are superb musicianship, independent creativity and great sound.

Eastwind Import is pround to carry the three latest releases from Resonant Music. These fine CDs are extremely rare and difficult to find in North America!

Dag Arnesen / Norwegian Song
Pianist Dag Arnesen and his trio explore Norwegian folk songs along with the music of Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull. Melancholic and beautiful!

Terje Gewelt / If Time Stood Still
Gewelt and his trio featuring electric guitar and percussion tell 12 short stories through the leader's cinematic compositions with different moods. Lyrical and serious, adventurous trio music!

Espen Rud / Melancholy Delight
Drummer Espen Rud leads an unusual quintet featuring baritone saxophone, vibraphone and guitar. His original compositions are cool, sensitive and has a touch of warm sense of humor. The performance and sound quality are first-rate!

SHM-CD: New and improved CD format from Japan!

SHM-CD, or Super High Material CD, is an improved version of the Compact Disc that uses higher quality, more transparent polycarbonate material that was developed for use in LCDs. It is compatible with any regular CD player. Universal Music Japan and JVC, who co-developed the SHM-CD, say that the new material also allows the pits to be formed more precisely, and the signal characteristics are improved as a result.

What that translates to our listening experience is a clearer, more open sound, better resolution that leads to more details and lower distortion. Universal Japan is already reissuing many albums in their catalog in all genres as SHM-CDs, and people are taking notice.

SHM-CD Jazz Sampler (2 CD)
Now, they have released this limited-edition, 2-disc Jazz Sampler. Each package contains two CDs: one regular CD and one SHM-CD. Each CD contains the same music progaram, and they are made from the same masters (freshly remastered in Japan without any use of equalizers or compressors) and they are even pressed with the same stamper.

Taken from the vast catalog of Universal which includes Verve and Impulse labels, each CD contains 13 famous jazz numbers recorded in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The artists include John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, and Anita O'Day.

The best part is, if you buy this Sampler, you can test them yourself with your own ears and your own system! This limited edition will go quickly, so don't wait to order your copy!

SHM-CD reissues of Chet Baker's Enja masterpieces!

Enja Records of Germany was diligent on recording the trumpet legend Chet Baker in his late years, and released many albums after his untimely and tragic death in 1988. Universal Japan has now reissued six of these remarkable albums in the brand-new SHM-CD format. It is an added bonus that they also contain original, English liner notes. These are all must-own recordings for fans of Chet Baker!

Chet Baker & NDR Big Band - The Legacy, Vol. 1
I Remember You - The Legacy, Vol. 2
Why Shouldn't You Cry - The Legacy, Vol. 3
Oh You Crazy Moon - The Legacy, Vol. 4
My Favorite Things - The Last Great Concert Vol. 1
Straight From The Heart - The Last Great Concert Vol. 2

SHM-CD reissues of Benni Wallace's Enja classics!

Bennie Wallace is a jazz tenor saxophonist who is somewhat underappreciated in the US but has a huge following in Europe and Japan. Universal Music Japan has recently reissued four of his Enja albums -- all considered as classics now -- on the brand-new SHM-CD format. In various settings, and together with superb musicians like Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, George Cables, Eddie Gomez, Peter Washington and Herlin Riley, Wallace shines with his big, brawny tone and freewheeling, exciting improvisation.

The Nearness Of You
Someone To Watch Over Me
In Berlin
The Talk Of The Town

Othe New Arrivals

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruller
The superb big band of The Netherlands, JOC follows its wildly successful Riffs 'N Rhythms with a brand-new live album featuring its star guitarist's compositions. Van Ruller takes brilliant solos on every tune. Wow!

Junior Mance Trio with Houston Person / Blue Minor
One of the few living jazz legends who played with Gene Ammons and Lester Young, soon-to-be-80 pianist Junior Mance shows he's only getting better in this bluesy, soulful album, featuring his regular trio and a special guest, tenor saxophonist Houston Person.

Tommy Flanagan Trio / Jazz Poet
A great trio album of the great bebop pianist, recorded in 1989 with George Mraz on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Swinging, elegant and inspired!

Tommy Flanagan Trio featuring Kenny Burrell
Master jazz musicians and fellow Detroitans, Flanagan and Burrell reunited for this swinging, bluesy album recorded in 1990 in Holland. With George Mraz and Lewis Nash!

Coming soon...

• Many recently released titles from Venus Records!
• Pianist Renee Rosnes' latest trio album with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash!
• New from Germany's Pirouet Records: Marc Copland's Another Place with John Abercrombie!
• Roger Kellaway and Dick Hyman Two Pianos: The premier release from the renowned jazz theater in Los Angeles, The Jazz Bakery!
• For audiophiles: More XRCDs, great-sounding SACDs and CDs from Germany's Stockfisch Records including a new album by Sara K.!
• Brand-new SACD version of Reference Recording's great-sounding orchestral sampler, Tutti!
• Classical SACDs: Minnesota Orchestra's Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7 from BIS; and Haydn - Solberg - Grieg String Quartets from 2L!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals - Jazz

Brand-new recordings!

Grant Stewart / Ricado Bossa Nova
Star tenor saxophonist's latest release from Japan is a celebration of the Blue Note label and the hard-bop jazz it represents. Stewart swings with Tardo Hammer, Joe Cohn, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash!

Akiko Tsuruga with Jimmy Cobb / NYC Serenade
The latest release Hammond B-3 player from Osaka, Japan and a resident in Harlem, New York, features legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb as well as guitarist Eric Johnson and tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery. The theme of the album? It's SWING!

Renee Rosnes / Black Narcissus
Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes' brand-new trio recording is, in her own words, "a celebration of the music and life of Joe Henderson." This superb piano trio album features Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Highly recommended!

Tõnu Naissoo Trio / For Now And Forever
Brand-new release from Atelier Sawano! The Estonian pianist's fourth release from Atelier Sawano is another winner! Modern interpretations of jazz standards with a beautiful touch and sparkling piano sound!

Marc Copland / Another Place
Brand-new release from Pirouet Records! The wizard pianist weaves a tapestry of lyrical and dynamic soundscapes with guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Billy Hart!

Roger Kellaway Dick Hyman / Two Pianos
My favorite jazz theater in the world, The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles has launched its own label, and its premier release is a piano duo masterpiece by Roger Kellaway and Dick Hyman! A must-own item for fans of piano jazz. Highly recommended!

Two new SHM-CD arrivals!

Chet Baker / Chet In Chicago - The Legacy Vol. 5 (SHM-CD)
A brand-new release of Chet Baker's previously unreleased studio recording from 1986! Features pianist Bradley Young and fellow Chicago musicians. The great-sounding recording shines on this limited, SHM-CD edition!

Tommy Flanagan / Let's - Play The Music Of Thad Jones (SHM-CD)
One of the best records made by the great pianist is now reissued in superb-sounding SHM-CD format! Features Jesper Lundgaard on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. A swinging bebop album!

Stockfisch Records

Stockfisch Records is a German audiophile label led by brilliant producer and recording engineer Günter Pauler. The label's core catalog consists of guitar- and vocal-centric folk/blues/country/pop offerings, but they also have interesting jazz and classical titles as well.

For a while now, Eastwind Import has carried the XRCD24 version of singer-songwriter Sara K.'s latest recording Hell Or High Water, which, by the way, is a stunning artistic and aural achievement. Now, we have expanded our catalog with four recent releases. If you don't know this great label,this is the best place to start!

Bassface Swing Trio / Plays Gershwin (Hybrid SACD)
This is one of the few straight-ahead jazz titles offered by Stockfisch. And this hybrid SACD version of the very special, direct-to-disc recording is a winner! It will astonish you with its sound quality and make you smile with its great musical performance! Wow!

Stockfisch Records / Closer To The Music Sampler Vol. 1 (Hybrid SACD)
Stockfisch's first sampler is a great-sounding hybrid SACD compilation of works by folk/country/blues singer-songwriters including Alan Taylor, Sara K., Chris Jones and Mike Silver!

Stockfisch Records / Closer To The Music Sampler Vol. 2 (Hybrid SACD)
The Stockfisch legacy continues with this superb follow-up sampler. Featured artists include Sara K., Steve Strauss, David Ross and Ewen Carruthers!

Sara K. / Water Falls
Texas-born singer-songwriter Sara K.'s 2002 release is an artistic and sonic triumph. Stockfisch albums sound great even if they come in the standard CD format!

Three new additions to our XRCD catalog!

Patricia Barber / Companion (XRCD2)
This superbly recorded live album from the idiosyncratic singer/pianist from Chicago has been one of the reference CDs most often used by audiophiles!

Gene Ammons / Boss Tenor (XRCD)
A bluesy, soulful classic from the tenorman in great-sounding XRCD! Features Tommy Flannagan, Art Taylor, Doug Watkins and Ray Barretto!

Johnny Griffin / The Little Giant (XRCD)
A swinging, powerful hard-bop classic and one of the best records made by Johnny Griffin in XRCD! Features Blue Mitchell, Julian Priester, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Albert Heath!

New Arrivals - Classical SACDs

Tutti! Reference Recordings Orchestral Sampler (Hybrid SACD)
The hybrid SACD/HDCD version of Dr. Keith Johnson's renowned orchestral sampler! A definite must-have reference disc for audiophiles!

Minnesota Orchestra - Vänskä / Beethoven - Symphony Nos. 2 & 7 (Hybrid SACD)The conclusion of the Minnesota/Vänskä's Beethoven Symphony cycle is another musical and sonic triumph!

Engegård Quartet / Haydn, Solberg, Grieg - String Quartets (Hybrid SACD)
The latest release from Norway's 2L label is a stunningly vivid collection of string quartets. Their DXD digital recording format offers the highest resolution among all existing formats!

Coming soon...

• Many recently released titles from Venus Records!
• Vinyl LPs from Atelier Sawano and Venus Records!
• From M&I: Karel Boehlee's latest album, reissues of Sonny Rollins and Claude Williamson!
• New from Venus Records: Introducing pianist/singer Champian Fulton!
• From King Records: Dynamite duo of Richard Davis and Junior Mance: a brand-new recording!
• A brand-new album by Manhattan Jazz Quintet!
• Ray Kennedy Trio's latest in the "Classics in Jazz" series!
• Joe Zawinul's last live recording celebrating his 75th birtuday!
• By popular request: SHM-CD Classical Sampler!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Our shopping cart system has changed! Basically, when you put something in your shopping cart, you will see a new "Shopping Cart" page. You will be able to clearly see what kind of shipping charge is applied for each item, and see the total amount before you check out.

There are no changes to the rest of our system. Detailed explanations are provided in our "How to Order" section. If you have any problems or questions, please email us to hajime@eastwindimport.com or call us at 714-334-0759.

New Arrivals - Vinyl LPs

Many customers of Eastwind Import have asked us repeatedly: "Why don't you carry vinyl?" Well, now we do! First batch from 3 labels now available!

Atelier Sawano LPs
These are extremely rare and very difficult to find outside of Japan (practically impossible in the U.S.)!

Daniel Humair Rene Urtreger Pierre Michelot / HUM (LP)
The French "dream" piano trio recorded this masterpiece in the studio in 1999, which won numerous jazz awards. Now, for the first time, Atelier Sawano has released this great-sounding vinyl edition. Direct Metal Master (DMM) method ensures great sound!

Robert Lakatos Trio / You And The Night And The Music (LP)
This great piano trio album by the Hungarian pianist was recorded in 2007 in Switzerland with wonderful German bassist and drummer, and had been released as a CD earlier (AS-077). Atelier Sawano decided to release this particularly well-recorded album on vinyl because it's so special!

Venus Records LPs

Eastwind Import is proud to present brand-new and recently released vinyl LPs from Venus Records! They are audiophile-quality, heavy vinyl (either 180 or 200 gram) freshly pressed in the state-of-the-art pressing plant in Japan. The vinyl is of very high quality and astonishingly quiet: clearly one of the best, and arguably THE best vinyl in the world!

Bill Charlap New York Trio / Blues in the Night (180g LP)
Charlap's classic hit album with Jay Leonhart and Bill Stewart. (Rec. 2001)

Bill Charlap New York Trio / The Things We Did Last Summer (180g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Charlap's classic hit album with Jay Leonhart and Bill Stewart. (Rec. 2002)

David Hazeltine Trio / Alice In Wonderland (180g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Bill Evans tribute album with George Mraz and Billy Drummond. (Rec. 2003)

Ken Peplowski Quartet / Memories of You Vol. 1 (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Swing Journal 2006 Best Engineered Album! Peplowski's most popular Venus album, with Ted Rozenthal on piano. (Rec. 2005)

Richie Beirach Trio / Manhattan Reverie (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Winner of 2006 Swing Journal Jazz Disc "Silver" Award! A piano trio masterpiece with George Mraz and Billy Hart. (Rec. 2006)

Steve Kuhn Trio / Plays Standards (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A swingin' album with Buster Williams and Al Foster. (Rec. 2006)

Eric Alexander Quartet / My Favorite Things (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Winner of Swing Journal 2007 Jazz Disc Silver Award and Best Engineering Award! With David Hazeltine, John Webber and Joe Farnsworth. (Rec. 2007)

Nicki Parrott / Moon River (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Bassist/vocalist's Venus debut with John di Martino on piano. (Rec. 2007)

Harold Mabern / Misty (200g LP)
Harold Mabern's very rare solo piano album! (Rec. 2006)

Eric Alexander Quartet / Gentle Ballads III (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Brand-new release! The third and latest in the "ballad" series with Mike LeDonne, John Webber and Joe Farnsworth. (Rec. 2007)

Steve Kuhn Trio / Baubles, Bangles And Beads (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Brand-new release! Kuhn's jazzification of classical tunes with David Finck and Billy Drummond. (Rec. 2007)

Renato Sellani Trio / My Foolish Heart (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Brand-new release! Veteran Italian pianist with Massimo Moriconi and Massimo Manzi. (Rec. 2007)

Ken Peplowski Gypsy Jazz Band / Gypsy Lamento (200g LP)
Brand-new release! With Bucky Pizzarelli and Howard Alden. (Rec. 2007)

One For All / What's Going On? (200g LP)Brand-new release! Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, John Webber and Joe Farnsworth. (Rec. 2007)

John di Martino Trio / Magical Mystery (200g LP)
Brand-new release! With Buster Williams and Al Foster. (Rec. 2006)

Marilyn Scott / Every Time We Say Goodbye (200g LP)
Brand-new release! Queen of West Coast AOR sings jazz! With Cyrus Chestnut, Paul Bollenback and Ken Peplowski. (Rec. 2007)

Barbara Carroll Trio / I Wished On The Moon (200g LP)
Brand-new release! Pianist/singer's latest recording with Jay Leonhart and Joe Coccuzzo. (Rec. 2006)

Eddie Higgins Trio / Christmas Songs II (200g LP)
Brand-new release! Elegant, tasteful and swinging Christmas album with George Mraz, Ben Riley and special guest Scott Hamilton. (Rec. 2006)

Eighty-Eight's LPs

Eastwind Import is proud to present brand-new and recently released vinyl LPs from Eighty-Eight's! They are audiophile-quality, X-Compound vinyl, directly cut from the original ANALOG master tapes and freshly pressed in the state-of-the-art pressing plant in Japan! Most of these limited edition LPs are already out of print, and we've managed to get just a few copies each! True collector's items! Order yours today before they run out!

Hank Jones Great Jazz Trio with Sadao Watanabe / Stella by Starlight (LP)
A great reunion between Jones and Watanabe. With John Patitucci and Omar Hakim. (Rec. 2006)

Austin Peralta / Maiden Voyage (LP)
Prodigy pianist's debut at age 14 with Ron Carter and Billy Kilson. (Rec. 2005)

Hank Jones Solo Piano/ 'Round Midnight (LP)
A masterpiece! (Rec. 2004)

Will Boulware / A Night In Tunisia (LP)
Contemporary jazz piano trio album with Richard Bona, Lonnie Plaxico and Harvey Mason! (Rec. 2005)

Hank Jones Great Jazz Trio / Speak Low (LP)
Jones's second and particularly strong recording with John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette! (Rec. 2005)

New Sound Quartet feat. Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer / Summertime (LP)
Unique group sound of vibraphones/marimba plus piano trio. With Robert Hust, Billy Kilson and special guest Eddie Henderson. (Rec. 2005)

Don Friedman VIP Trio / Scarborough Fair (LP)
Veteran pianist's very special trio with Ron Carter and Omar Hakim! (Rec. 2005)

Hank Jones Great Jazz Trio / 'S Wonderful (LP)
Jones's first and exciting meeting with John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette! (Rec. 2004)

Lonnie Plaxico Group / So Alive (LP)
Energetic neo-funk jazz by a young jazz group led by bassist Lonnie Plaxico! (Rec. 2004)

To be continued...

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals - CDs

Brand-new CD from a new artist!
Champian Fulton Trio / Sometimes I'm Happy
Champian Fulton is a talented, 22-years-old singer/pianist from Oklahoma who now resides in New York City. In this fabulous debut CD, she shows the full extent of her talent: sunny, lovely, expressive and soulful singing voice and formidable, bebop-based piano chops. Straight ahead and refreshing!

Venus Records' 14 hit CDs from 1998-2004!

Steve Kuhn Trio / Love Walked In
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A hit album that turned jazz fans to the new charms of Steve Kuhn. With Buster Williams and Bill Stewart. (Rec. 1998)

Richie Beirach Trio / What Is This Thing Called Love?
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Winner of 2000 Swing Journal Jazz Disc Best Production Award! With George Mraz and Billy Hart. (Rec. 1999)

Eddie Higgins Trio / Don't Smoke In Bed
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Winner of 2000 Swing Journal Jazz Disc Best Production Award! Drum-less trio with John Pizzarelli and Jay Leonhart. (Rec. 2000)

Eddie Higgins Trio / Bewitched
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Elegant jazz with Jay Leonhart and Joe Ascione. (Rec. 2001)

Eddie Higgins Trio / Again
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Higgins' smash hit Venus album with Ray Drummond and Ben Riley. (Rec. 199)

Steve Kuhn Trio / Quiereme Mucho
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A huge hit album with David Kuhn and Al Foster. (Rec. 2000)

Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton / Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The first hit album that paired pianist Eddie Higgins with tenorman Scott Hamilton. Great sound! (Rec. 2001)

Harold Mabern Trio with Eric Alexander / Kiss Of Fire
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Unique piano style of Harold Mabern with Nat Reeves, Joe Farnsworth and special guest Eric Alexander. (Rec. 2001)

Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton / My Foolish Heart
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The second hit album that paired pianist Eddie Higgins with tenorman Scott Hamilton. Great sound! (Rec. 2002)

David Hazeltine Trio / Alice In Wonderland
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Hazeltine's tribute album to Bill Evans is one of his best! With George Mraz and Billy Drummond. (Rec. 2003)

Bill Charlap New York Trio / Stairway To The Stars
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The only Bill Charlap album we hadn't carried. Splendid! With Jay Leonhart and Bill Stewart. (Rec. 2004)

Eddie Higgins Quartet featuring Scott Hamilton / My Funny Valentine
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The third hit album that paired pianist Eddie Higgins with tenorman Scott Hamilton. Great sound! (Rec. 2004)

Harold Mabern Trio / Fantasy
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Powerful piano of Harold Mabern. With Dwayne Burno and Joe Farnsworth. (Rec. 2004)

Eddie Higgins Trio / If Dreams Come True
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Masterful piano trio with Jay Leonhart and Joe Ascione. (Rec. 2004)

Coming soon...

• Brand-new recording: Latest and last installment of "Classical in Jazz" series by Ray Kennedy Trio!
  
• Brand-new recording: Bassist Richard Davis's duo album with Junior Mance!
• Brand-new recording: Joe Zawinul's last live recording - his 75th birthday concert just 2 months before his passing. With special guest Wayne Shorter!
  
• For audiophiles: Japanese jazz critic and audio guru's special compillation CD, "For Jazz Audio Fans Only!"
  
• From Venus Records: New recording of Kenny Werner Trio!
  
• From Marshmallow Records: New recordings by Danish pianists Henrik Gunde and Olivier Antunes, plus a Japanese sextet that plays Lennie Tristano's music!
  
• Definitive CD reissues of Time Label's classic jazz albums: Sonny Clark, Kenny Dorham, Max Roach and Terry Gibbs! Reissue produced for best possible sound by Akira Taguchi and remastered by Bernie Grundman!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

JAZZ CDs: New Arrivals

Three new releases from Marshmallow Records!

Olivier Antunes Trio / Alice In Wonderland
The second Marshmallow release by the Danish pianist is a rewarding search of subtle and sublime beauty. Features Jesper Bodilsen on bass, Morten Lund on drums and tunes associated with Bill Evans!

Henrik Gunde Trio / Comes Love
A stunning debut of a rising star pianist in the vibrant Danish jazz scene! Dynamic, soulful and swinging trio music featuring Jesper Bodilsen and Morten Lund. Impressive!

Yoichi Hirai Sextet / Lennie's Pennies
A new take on the music of Lennie Tristano and his school by a young, Japanese guitarist! The sound of his unique group -- a guitarist, two saxophonists, to bassists, one drummer and no pianist! -- is refreshing, and they swing!

A Brand-new Release from Venus Records!

Kenny Werner Trio / With A Song In My Heart
The intelligence and elegance of Werner's piano shines throughout, and when he takes flight in his solos, the listener is in for an exciting ride, full of unexpected twists and turns! Features Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. Recommended!

Notable New Releases

Ray Kennedy Trio /Classic In Jazz
The fifth and last installment of the "classical jazzification" series! Wonderful, swinging arrangements and great sound!

Richard Davis with Junior Mance / Blue Monk
Bass virtuoso's duo album with veteran pianist Junior Mance! The sound quality is also superb!

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate / 75th (2CD)
Pioneer of electric jazz and world fusion Joe Zawinul's 75th birthday concert, recorded months before his passing. Includes a sublime duo performance of "In A Silent Way" with Wayne Shorter!

Yasukuni Terashima Presents: For Jazz Audio Fans Only Vol. 1 (CD)
Very best examples of modern jazz recording and cutting-edge performances of contemporary artists, compiled by a famous Japanese jazz critic and audio guru! There's also a vinyl edition (See below).

Bill Carrothers Home Row
Never-before-released 1992 recording of American pianist Bill Carrothers with Gary Peacock on bass and Bill Stewart on drums! This is trio-play of the highest level: complex, intense, and communicative music filled with surprises!

Manhattan Jazz Quintet / V.S.O.P.
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Manhattan Jazz Quintet is an all-star band led by pianist and arranger David Matthews, a special unit that records exclusively for the Japanese market. It has a quarter-century history, and this "Very Special Onetime Performance" marks a reunion of the current members (Matthews, trumpeter Lew Soloff, saxophonist Andy Snitzer) and superstar alumni--drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Eddie Gomez!

Tiffany / Amazing Grace [Hybrid SACD]
Tiffany is a talented young singer who hails from Los Angeles and now lives and sings in Japan. Her latest album, recorded in pure DSD and presented in a fabulous-sounding hybrid SACD, is a gorgeous set featuring five top Japanese pianists including world-famous Makoto Ozone and up-and-coming Tadataka Unno.

Kengo Nakamura / Generations
Brand-new recording! One of my favorite Japanese bassists, Kengo Nakamura's fifth leader album features two great pianists from two generations: the young and sensational Danny Grissett and the soulful octogenarian, Junior Mance!

Giovanni Mirabassi / Out Of Track
Brand-new recording! One of the most brilliant jazz pianists in the world today, Giovanni Mirabassi from Italy made his strongest album ever with a great trio featuring Gianluca Renzi and Leon Parker. One of the best piano trio albums of 2008!

Hank Jones Great Jazz Trio / Blue Minor (Hybrid SACD)
Brand-new, pure DSD recording! The great Hank Jones, who recently turned 90, wows us with his "magic touch" which is only getting better with age! This latest recording pairs him with the always dependable bassist George Mraz and a star drummer of the new generation, Billy Kilson. Elegant and exciting!

[Hajime Sato]

SHM-CD reissues of Time label's classic jazz albums!

A sonic marvel for audiophiles and invaluable treasure for jazz lovers and collectors! In this series of amazing SHM-CD reissue of Time label's classic jazz recordings, reissue producer Akira Taguchi (of the XRCD fame) pulled all the stops.

With one exception*, all these titles are mixed and/or remastered from either the original 3-track recording tapes or the 2-channel master tapes by the legendary engineer Bernie Grundman. The digital master was then sent the JVC plant in Yokohama, Japan, to be pressed with finely tuned machinery into the newly-developed SHM-CD that utilizes high quality polycarbonate material. SHM-CD is compatible with all CD players.

*Since master tapes of the Booker Little sessions were lost, the CD was sourced from an LP which had been transferred to analog tape in the 1960s. While the sound quality is quite good, you may notice some scratch noise and other defficiencies.

Booker Little
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Booker Little, one of the only four albums the brilliant trumpeter recorded in his all too brief career, is considered by many as his best. He was only 22 years old when he recorded this album, and he died of illness the following year. Also important is the participation of the then-24-years-old bassist Scott LaFaro.(Rec. 1960)

Sonny Clark Trio
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Sonny Clark Trio is considered by many to be the talented pianist's greatest album. With great backing from Max Roach and George Duvivier, Clark's bebob piano is simply brilliant with his strong touch and breathtaking phrasing. (Rec. 1959)

Max Roach / Award-Winning Drummer
Award-Winning Drummer is a strong record by the legendary drummer Max Roach. It features, in addition to the brillitant and varied drumming of the leader, young and talented horn players Booker Little (trumpet) and Goerge Coleman (tenor sax). The addition of Ray Draper, who plays the tuba, adds an interesting tonal color to the proceedings. (Rec. 1959)

Terry Gibbs / Hootenanny My Way
World premier release on CD! This is a very unique album by vibist Terry Gibbs. As the title suggests, this is a collection of well-known folk songs, but the ever-swinging Gibbs and co. turned them all into real, swinging jazz music. Also worth noting is the participation of pianist Alice McLeod, who would later marry John Coltrane. (Rec. 1963)

Kenny Dorham / Jazz Contemporary
Jazz Contemporaray is a relatively low-profile album by trumpeter Kenny Dorham. His quiet demeaner and non-flashy style may have put him in a category of perpetually underappreciated musicians, but as you can hear in this album, his talents as trumpeter and composer are undisputed. (Rec. 1960)

Kenny Dorham / Showboat
Swing Journal Gold Disc! This is a popular album by the great trumpeter Kenny Dorham featuring six Jerome Kern compositions from the famous broadway musical Showboat. The all-star cast includes Jimmy Heath, Kenny Drew, Jimmy Garrison and Art Taylor! (Rec. 1960)

Bennie Green
Before recording this eponymous album for Time, trombonist Bennie Green had performed with Earl Hines, Gene Ammons, and Charlie Ventura, and recorded for Prestige and Blue Note. The warm and soulful trombone sound of Green is complimented well by the brawny tenor sound of Jimmy Forrest, and the talented pianist Sonny Clark provides three original compositions in addition to his great playing. (Rec. 1960)

Stanley Turrentine / The Man
Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's first leader album features his brother and trumpeter Tommy, Max Roach, George Duvivier, Tommy Flanagan and Sonny Clark. Turrentine, who already had been nicknamed "The Man" at age 25, bursted onto the jazz scene with this soulful and powerful performance. (Rec. 1960)

Tommy Turrentine
This is the only leader album by the talented but forgotten trumpeter, Tommy Turrentine. In addition to his brother Stanley, he is joined here by Julian Priester, Horace Parlan and Max Roach. (Rec. 1959)

Jackie Paris / Sings The Lyrics Of Ira Gershwin
On one of the few albums recorded under his own name, singer Jackie Paris focused on the lyrics of Ira Gershwin and purposefully avoided the coompositions of George Gershwin. On this swinging set, Paris is supported comfortably by a jazz combo led by arranger Irvin Joseph and augmented by a string quartet. (Rec. 1960)

[Hajime Sato]

Venus Records' 11 Hit CDs from 1993-2004 now available!

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio / Speak Low
Lyrical solos with beautiful touch, the essense of bebop and hardbop and incredible swing feel! Legendary Japanese pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto's Venus release is a triumph! (Rec. 1999)

Jacky Terrasson Jazz Trio / Lover Man
Winner of Swing Journal 1993 Jazz Disc Award Best Production Award! Piano genius Jacky Terrasson's world debut album recorded in 1993 after he won the prestigious Thelonius Monk Jazz Competition! With Leon Parker and Ugonna Okegwo.

Denny Zeitlin Trio As Long As There's Music
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Psychiatrist and brilliant, part-time pianist, Denny Zeitlin's wonderful trio album with Buster Williams and Al Foster! (Rec. 1997)
   
Steve Kuhn Trio / Temptation
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A great piano trio album by Steve Kuhn, full of romanticism, lyricism and sublime beauty! With Buster Williams and Al Foster. (Rec. 2001)

Harold Mabern Trio / Falling In Love With Love
A great piano trio album by Harold Mabern, full of driving swing feel, groove and dynamism! (Rec. 2001)

Sir Roland Hanna Trio / Milano, Paris, New York - Finding John Lewis
A great piano trio album by Sir Roland Hanna, dedicated to the legendary pianist John Lewis. Supported by George Mraz and Lewis Nash, his music is elegant and beautiful! (Rec. 2002)

Sir Roland Hanna Trio / Après Un Rêve
Sir Roland Hanna's last recording! Elegnat "jazzification" of classical melodies by Schubert, Faure, Torodin, Chopin and Mozart! (Rec. 2002)

Kenny Barron Super Trio / Super Standard
Debut album by Kenny Barron's Super Trio with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Al Foster is an instant classic! (Rec. 2004)
   
Rachel Z Trio / First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Talented contemporary jazz pianist who received the Grammy Award for Wayne Shorter's comeback album in 1995, Rachel Z's first release from Venus features standards as well as cool jazz versions of rock tunes! (Rec. 2003)
   
Nicole Henry with Eddie Higgins Trio / Teach Me Tonight
A beautiful singer with great voice, Nicole Henry's debut album from Venus Records is supported by the immensely popular and ever-so-elegant piano trio led by Eddie Higgins! (Rec. 2004)

Joe Beck Trio Strangers In The Night - Tribute To Frank Sinatra
Brilliant guitarist who passed away in July 2008, the late Joe Beck left a wonderful trio album dedicated to Frank Sinatra with Venus Records. (Rec. 1999)

JAZZ Vinyl New Arrivals

Bassface Swing Trio / Plays Gershwin (180g LP+Hybrid SACD)
A swinging piano trio performance of Gershwin tunes will delight any jazz fans, but this is also an ultimate ear-candy for audiophiles: A very special set of a Direct-To-Disc, Direct-Metal-Master-cutting 180g LP and a Hybrid Stereo SACD! It is a hand-numbered, limited edition with only 2,000 copies available worldwide. Audiophiles can compare the sound quality of three different formats--vinyl LP, regular CD and SACD!

Various Artists / Yasukuni Terashima Presents: For Jazz Audio Fans Only Vol. 1 (200g 2LP)
Very best examples of modern jazz recording and cutting-edge performances of contemporary artists, compiled by a famous Japanese jazz critic and audio guru! The CD version is a huge hit, and now we have the gorgeous, 200-gram, 2-LP vinyl edition with a beautiful gatefold jacket!

CLASSICAL New Arrivals

Two brand-new released from Los Angeles-based audiophile label Yarlung Records!

Elinor Frey & David Fung, etc. / Inner World: Music by David S. Lefkowitz
24 Karat Gold Audiophile CD! This beautifully recorded disc unites the contemporary composer David S. Lefkowitz with talented young musicians who interpret and perform his music in various instrumental combinations: cello and piano; harp, flute and cello; two violas; solo viola; solo clarinet; violin and viola; and alto flute and marimba. This is introspective and interactive, cutting-edge chamber music!

Martin Chalifour In Walt Disney Concert Hall: Hidden Treasures
24 Karat Gold Audiophile CD! Los Angeles Philharmonic's principal concertmaster Martin Chalifour performs his own transcription of Poulenc's Sonata for Flute and Piano and other hidden gems in one of the world’s finest sounding concert halls. Wow!

Coming Soon...

• Out-of-print, rare jazz reissue LPs from Toshiba EMI (10-inch Blue Note albums), Universal Japan 200g LPs (Verve, Impulse!, EmArcy) and Fantasy (Prestige, Milestone)!
• Four brand-new released from Venus Records: Eddie Higgins, Tessa Souter, Gianni Basso & Renato Sellani duo, and Italian trumpeter Dino Rubino!
• Reissue SHM-CDs from the Enja label: Franco Ambrosetti and Elvin Jones!
• World premier CD reissue of a rare vocal album by Ruth Price, Flo Handy and Sue Childs and a rare CD reissue of Carol Sloane's Hush-A-Bye!
• New recording by a Japanese singer Masaki Kanamaru with Christian Jacob and Diane Hubka!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

There are just two days left for Eastwind Import's New Year Clearance Sale! The sale ends at midnight on January 15th. Go to the ON SALE section and order the deeply discounted sale items before it's over!

Jazz CDs: New arrivals

Five brand-new CDs from Venus Records!

Eddie Higgins Solo Piano / Standards By Request 1st Day
Eddie Higgins Solo Piano / Standards By Request 2nd Day
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A pair of solo piano CDs by the master pianist Eddie Higgins, who recorded 30 songs, in the order that they appear on CD, in just two days. Beautiful and elegant!

Tessa Souter / Night Of Key Largo
Swing Journal Gold Disc! A British-born, former journalist who could not give up her dream of becoming a jazz singer, Tessa Souter has a beautiful voice that is crystal clear yet subtly shaded. On this gorgeous debut album, she is supported by an all-star cast including Kenny Werner, Joel Frahm, Romero Lubambo, Jay Leonhart and Billy Drummond!

Gianni Basso & Renato Sellani / Body And Soul
From Italy, arguably the country with most exciting jazz scene today, comes a superb duo album of two veteran musicians: the "Italian Balladeur" Gianni Basso on tenor saxophone and 81-years-old Renato Sellani on piano!

Dino Rubino / Mi Sono Innamorato Di Te
From the hot Italian jazz scene comes an impressive debut album of a young trumpeter! Lyrical and imaginative with impeccable technique, Dino Rubino is supported by established Italian musicians including Pietro Tonolo and Walter Paoli.

A New Vocal CDs from SSJ!

Masaki Kanamaru / Let's Fly Away
A brand-new recording! Japanese singer Masaki Kanamaru's wonderful vocal performance is greatly enhanced by the arrangements and piano playing of Christian Jacob. Los Angeles-based singer Diane Hubka joins him on two songs. A very enjoyable Cole Porter songbook!

Very Rare Vocal Album Reissues!

Flo Handy / Smoky And Intimate
World Premier Reissue on CD! An intimate album by singer Flo Handy, who was a sister of Ella Mae Morse and wife of Al Cohn, backed by a wonderful guitar duo of George Barnes and Carl Kress. A very rare collector's item! (Rec. 1964)

Introducing Sue Childs
World Premier Reissue on CD! Singer from Flint, Michigan, Sue Childs recorded this album with local musicians and J.R. Monterose. A very rare collector's item! (Rec. 1965)

Carol Sloane / Hush-A-Bye
This is one of the earliest recordings of star singer Carol Sloane, made while she was with the Larry Elgart band. It was released in 1987 in Japan only, and then quickly disappeared. Now it's available again. One of the very best of her early-period recordings! (Rec. 1959)

Ruth Price / The Party's Over
World Premier Reissue on CD! This is an intimate album by singer Ruth Price (now managing The Jazz Bakery, a non-profit jazz theater in Los Angeles), backed by the tasteful Norman Paris and his band. A very rare collector's item! (Rec. 1957)

Three More Enja SHM-CD Reissues!

Elvin Jones / It Don't Mean A Thing... (SHM-CD)
Legendary drummer Elvin Jones' last album for the Enja label features young talents including Nicholas Payton, Delfeayo Marsalis and Kevin Mahogany. Hot and exciting hard-bop! (Rec. 1993)

Franco Ambrosetti / Wings (SHM-CD)
Italian-Swiss trumpeter's 1980s post-bop masterpiece features an all-star cast that includes Michael Brecker, Kenny Kirkland, Buster Williams and Daniel Humair. Impressive! (Rec. 1983)

Franco Ambrosetti / Tentets (SHM-CD)
Ambrosetti expands his all-star band featuring Michael Brecker to a tentet, adding tonal colors and ambitious ensemble writing. The dream band includes Lew Soloff, Steve Coleman, Dave Holland and Tommy Flanagan! (Rec. 1985)

(to continue...)

[Hajime Sato]

Jazz Vinyl: New arrivals

Out-of-print, 200g audiophile vinyl LPs from Japan!

Eastwind Import has managed to secure a few copies of already out-of-print, limited-pressing 200g vinyl LP reissues of classic jazz albums, released in 2007 by Universal Japan.

The lacquers were cut in New York, and then sent to the state-of-the-art pressing plant in Japan with the best quality control in the world. The sound quality of these LPs is simply amazing! The listener can once again enjoy these all-time classics with the gorgeous, glorious, natural sound of great vinyl. A true collector's item for audiophiles and serious jazz fans!

Clifford Brown and Max Roach / Study In Brown (200g LP)
The young, brilliant trumpet star Clifford Brown had been working with Max Roach and this incredible quintet for eight months before this immortal album was recorded in 1955. This group knocked everybody out with its muscular drive, exhilarating improvisations and catchy arrangements, and it still does after all these years.

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (200g LP)
Recorded in 1963, this album stands as a monumental masterpiece of ballad jazz singing. The great baritone with a warm, strong voice, Johnny Hartman was paired with arguably the strongest jazz group in the world at that time -- the John Coltrane Quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones!

Ella Fitzgerald Mack The Knife - Ella In Berlin (200g LP)
When this GRAMMY-Award-winning album was recorded live in Berlin in 1960, Ella Fitzgerald was undoubtedly at her peak in terms of both her singing power and popularity. In front of 12,000 people, The First Lady of Song sang these immortal standards with incredible energy and swing!

Out-of-print, 10-inch Blue Note reissue LPs from Japan!

Eastwind Import has managed to secure a few copies of out-of-print, 10-inch Blue Note LPs reissued by Toshiba EMI in Japan in 1999. Typical of the Japanese pressing, these 10-inch records are of highest quality, and lovingly prepared jackets are faithful reproductions of the original. A true collector's item!

Sal Salvador Quintet (10-inch LP)
This swinging album emphasizes the wonderful, crystal-toned guitar work of the ex-Stan Kenton Orchestra member, playing on six familiar standards. Perhaps not a typical Blue Note album in that there is a definitive West Coast flavor to it, but wonderful nontheless!


The Amazing Bud Powell Vol. 2 (10-inch LP)
Following the first brilliant flowerings of his talent from 1945-51, Bud Powell's recording sessions always hung in a delicate balance between his awe-inspiring creativity and his fragile psyche. This trio date from August 14, 1953--following a year-and-a-half stay in an institution--has always stood out as one of the best of his later recordings, an essential document of modern jazz piano.

Various Artists / Best From The West: Modern Sounds From California Vol. 1 (10-inch LP)
Various Artists / Best From The West: Modern Sounds From California Vol. 2 (10-inch LP)
These two LPs, which are meant to go together, constituted a "blindfold test" for the record-buying public at the time of their original release. There were no credits on the first volume, and the listener was supposed to guess who the musicians were before they were revealed on the second volume. They feature wonderful original music composed and performed by great West Coast musicians!

Out-of-print, Prestige and Milestone reissue LPs!

Eastwind Import has managed to secure a few copies of Prestige and Milestone LPs reissued specifically for the Japanese market. These limited US-pressing 12" LPs were manufactured from masters owned by Fantasy Inc., faithfully reproducing the original label and jacket. These brand-new, sealed LPs are already out of print, so get them while supplies last!

Gene Ammons / Angel Eyes (LP)
This LP combines soulful tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons' two sessions: The 1960 session featuring Frank Wess, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Doug Watkins and Art Taylor; and the 1962 session with Mal Waldron, Wendell Marshall and Ed Thigpen. (Rec. 1962)

Charles McPherson / The Quintet/Live! (LP)
Altoist Charles McPherson and pianist Barry Harris are the stars of this exciting, bop-oriented live recording. With trumpeter Lonnie Hillyer, drummer Billy Higgins and bassist Ray McKinney. (Rec. 1966)

Cedar Walton Spectrum (LP)
A quintet session with a trio track thrown in for good measure, this groovy and varied set showcases the talent of Walton and features Blue Mitchell, Clifford Jordan, Richard Davis and Jack DeJohnette. (Rec. 1968)

Joe Henderson Quartets / Tetragon (LP)
This LP features two quartets. Both feature Henderson on tenor and Ron Carter (bass), but the pianist and drummer change - Don Friedman and Jack DeJohnette on four tracks and Kenny Barron and Louis Hayes on three. The album was recorded in 1967-68, but anticipates the 1990's. It is neo-bop with swing, bebop, post-bop and free jazz all coming together. A very good record, indeed!

Coming Soon...

• Three brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano: Robert Lakatos Solo Piano, Paolo Di Sabatino Trio and Serge Delaite Trio!
• Tempo label reissue vinyl LP from Atelier Sawano: Dizzy Reese Progress Report!
• Four brand-new releases from M&I: New recordings by Karel Boehlee and Louis Van Dijk (on HQCD); reissues of older recordings by Sonny Rollins and Claude Williamson!
• 200-gram vinyl LP reissue of ten Time label classic albums: Cut by Bernie Grundman from the original master tapes and pressed in Japan!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import's New Year Clearance Sale (Jan. 1-15) was a big success! Big thank you for all our valued customers who continue to support us!!

Jazz CDs: New arrivals

Brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano!

Paolo Di Sabatino Trio / Atelier Of Melody
Italian pianist Paolo Di Sabatino's debut CD from Atelier Sawano shows his distinctly modern approach to piano trio music. This is a fresh, dynamic and exciting album that is often surprising and exhilarating!

Robert Lakatos / Marmosets - Piano Solo
Hungarian pianist Robert Lakatos has delighted us with his previous piano trio CDs from Atelier Sawano. Now he wows us with his deeply emotional and beautiful solo album. Sublime!

Serge Delaite Trio / Come Bach...
In this 2004 live-in-concert recording, French pianist Serge Delaite seamlessly blends the music of Bach with the music of Ellington (and Chick Corea, etc.). The music is truly delightful, and the band really swings!

Four new releases from M&I!

Karel Boehlee Trio / Love Dance
Eagerly awaited new recording by one of my favorite European pianist, Karel Boehlee from The Netherlands is another winner! Eclectic program, sublime performances, and great sound quality!

Louis Van Dijk Trio / Gone With The Wind (HQCD)
Veteran Dutch pianist Louis Van Dijk's latest M&I release is a classically inspired, elegant, sophisticated and gentle album. The newly developed HQCD formulation (compatible with all CD players) gives this CD superb sound quality! A perfect ear candy for audiophiles!

Claude Williamson Trio / Cleopatra's Dream
This CD is a reissue of an LP released in 1978 with an original title of New Departure. Bop-oriented West Coast jazz pianist Claude Williamson went to New York and teamed with Sam Jones and Roy Haynes on this swinging album! Includes six bonus tracks.

Sonny Rollins Quintet / Sonny Rollins Plays
This CD is a faithful reproduction of an LP originally released in 1958 by Period Records. It was a "coupling" album, with three recordings by the Sonny Rollins Quintet on one side (recorded a day after the legendary "Live at Village Vanguard" session!) and three recordings by the Thad Jones Ensemble. Rollins appears only on three tunes included in this CD. Very rare recordings with historical significance!

(to be continued...)

[Hajime Sato]

Jazz vinyl LPs: New arrivals

Tempo Label LP reissue from Atelier Sawano: Dizzy Reece Progress Report!

Dizzy Reece Progress Report (LP)
A special limited collector's edition! From Atelier Sawano comes an astoundingly good-sounding vinyl LP reissue: A brilliant album by Tempo Label's biggest star and Jamaican-born trumpeter Dizzy Reece! Features Ronnie Scott and Victor Feldman.

JVC's Time Label Masterpiece Reissue Series - This time on audiophile 200-gram vinyl!

A sonic marvel for audiophiles and invaluable treasure for jazz lovers and collectors! In this series of amazing vinyl reissue of Time label classic jazz recordings, reissue producer Akira Taguchi (of the XRCD fame) pulled all the stops.

With the sole exception of Booker Little, which was sourced from an LP transferred to a tape in the early 1960s, all the titles were remastered and cut from the original 2-channel master tapes by the legendary engineer Bernie Grundman, using a very special hybrid (tube and solid state) tape playback system. The lacquer was then sent to Japan to be pressed as an audiophile, 200-gram vinyl LP with the best quality control in the world.

Booker Little (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Booker Little, one of the only four albums the brilliant trumpeter recorded in his all too brief career, is considered by many as his best. He was only 22 years old when he recorded this album, and he died of illness the following year. Also important is the participation of the then-24-years-old bassist Scott LaFaro.(Rec. 1960)

Sonny Clark Trio (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Booker Little, one of the only four albums the brilliant trumpeter recorded in his all too brief career, is considered by many as his best. He was only 22 years old when he recorded this album, and he died of illness the following year. Also important is the participation of the then-24-years-old bassist Scott LaFaro.(Rec. 1960)

Max Roach / Award-Winning Drummer (200g LP)
Award-Winning Drummer is a strong record by the legendary drummer Max Roach. It features, in addition to the brillitant and varied drumming of the leader, young and talented horn players Booker Little (trumpet) and Goerge Coleman (tenor sax). The addition of Ray Draper, who plays the tuba, adds an interesting tonal color to the proceedings. (Rec. 1959)

Terry Gibbs / Hootenanny My Way (200g LP)
World premier release on CD! This is a very unique album by vibist Terry Gibbs. As the title suggests, this is a collection of well-known folk songs, but the ever-swinging Gibbs and co. turned them all into real, swinging jazz music. Also worth noting is the participation of pianist Alice McLeod, who would later marry John Coltrane. (Rec. 1963)

Kenny Dorham / Jazz Contemporary (200g LP)
Jazz Contemporaray is a relatively low-profile album by trumpeter Kenny Dorham. His quiet demeaner and non-flashy style may have put him in a category of perpetually underappreciated musicians, but as you can hear in this album, his talents as trumpeter and composer are undisputed. (Rec. 1960)

Kenny Dorham / Showboat (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! This is a popular album by the great trumpeter Kenny Dorham featuring six Jerome Kern compositions from the famous broadway musical Showboat. The all-star cast includes Jimmy Heath, Kenny Drew, Jimmy Garrison and Art Taylor! (Rec. 1960)

Bennie Green (200g LP)
Before recording this eponymous album for Time, trombonist Bennie Green had performed with Earl Hines, Gene Ammons, and Charlie Ventura, and recorded for Prestige and Blue Note. The warm and soulful trombone sound of Green is complimented well by the brawny tenor sound of Jimmy Forrest, and the talented pianist Sonny Clark provides three original compositions in addition to his great playing. (Rec. 1960)

StanleyTurrentine / The Man (200g LP)
Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's first leader album features his brother and trumpeter Tommy, Max Roach, George Duvivier, Tommy Flanagan and Sonny Clark. Turrentine, who already had been nicknamed "The Man" at age 25, bursted onto the jazz scene with this soulful and powerful performance. (Rec. 1960)

Tommy Turrentine (200g LP)
This is the only leader album by the talented but forgotten trumpeter, Tommy Turrentine. In addition to his brother Stanley, he is joined here by Julian Priester, Horace Parlan and Max Roach. (Rec. 1959)

Jackie Paris / Sings The Lyrics Of Ira Gershwin (200g LP)
On one of the few albums recorded under his own name, singer Jackie Paris focused on the lyrics of Ira Gershwin and purposefully avoided the coompositions of George Gershwin. On this swinging set, Paris is supported comfortably by a jazz combo led by arranger Irvin Joseph and augmented by a string quartet. (Rec. 1960)

Coming Soon...

• Sequel to our bestseller! SHM-CD Jazz Sampler Vol. 2 and SHM-CD Classical Sampler Vol. 2! Specially priced 2CD package to compare the SHM-CD against the regular CD!
• A special compilation CD from Japan to commemmorate the 70th Anniversary of Blue Note! Cover versions of Blue Note classic tunes by both Japanese and American stars like Takashi Matsunaga, Junko Onishi, Norah Jones, Ron Carter and Robert Glasper!
• A brand-new release from Birds Records: Alto sax sensation Sherman Irby's tribute to Cannonball Adderley!
• Two brand-new releases from 55 Records: Europe's top baritone saxophonist Jan Menu plays Gerry Mulligan's compositions with star guitarist Jesse Van Ruller; A stunning debut album by Dutch alto saxophonist Joris Roelofs!
• Two brand-new vocal albums by Sinne Eeg, a beautiful Danish singer with a great voice!
• Super-rare vinyl records! Three individually numbered, limited edition LPs from Marshmallow Records: Zoot Sims, Allen Eager and Herbie Steward!
• Super-rare 200g vinyl reissue: Franco Cerri and His European Jazz Stars!
• Super-rare 180g vinyl reissues from Columbia Japan: Dexter Gordon's first leader album Dexter Rides Again and Oscar Peterson Trio's Live in Tokyo 1972!

Happy listening to you all!

[Russtafarian]

I can vouch for the Karel Boehlee Trio, Love Dance CD.  Hajime (below) played it for us at last Saturday's GTG.  This is a phenomenal recording with a huge, open, soundstage.  Needless to say, I bought it and have been enjoying it all week.  If you like having a jazz piano trio parked in your listening room, this CD will make it happen.

Russ

[Hajime Sato]

Russ,

Thanks for your nice comments! I'm glad you are enjoying the Karel Boehlee CD. He's one of my favorite jazz pianists in the world right now.

Happy listening!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals: CDs

Two SHM-CD samplers!

SHM-CD, or Super High Material CD, is an improved version of the Compact Disc that uses higher quality, more transparent polycarbonate material developed for use in LCDs. It is compatible with any regular CD player.

Now, following the huge success of the limited-edition, 2-disc jazz and classical samplers, come these second volumes. Each set contains two CDs that contain the same music progaram. For only $17 for each set, this is a great bargain for curious audiophiles and music lovers!

Various Artists SHM-CD Jazz Sampler Vol. 2 (2 CD)

While the music program on the Jazz Sampler Volume 1 (which is out of print and no longer available) was taken from the catalog of Verve and Impulse! labels, the Volume 2 features classic jazz recordings on the Riverside, Prestige and Contemporary labels. Each CD contains 12 famous jazz numbers recorded over the past 5 decades by artists such as Bill Evans, Art Pepper, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Chet Baker.

Various Artists SHM-CD Classical Sampler Vol. 2 (2 CD)

Taken from the vast catalog of Universal which includes the Deutsche Grammophone and Decca labels, each CD contains 10 famous classical performances recorded over the past 5 decades. The people at Universal did a really nice job compiling the best of the best -- most of them considered by many to be the definitive -- versions of each repertory.

Six brand-new jazz CDs from Japan!

Various Artists / Something Blue
A very special and cool compilation CD from Japan commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Blue Note label featuring rare and remarkable recorded performances of classic Blue Note tunes by both Japanese and American artists including Takashi Matsunaga, Naoko Terai, Ron Carter and Norah Jones! Wow!

Sherman Irby / Work Song - Dear CannonballA wonderful straight ahead album by one of the best alto saxophonists in New York who stands tall on the shoulders of Cannonball and other alto giants! With Larry Willis, Buster Williams and Victor Lewis. Highly recommended!

Jan Menu and Jesse van Ruller / Mulligan MoodsOne of the most highly regarded baritone sax players in Europe teams up with super-guitarist Jesse van Ruller in this thoughtful and gentle album that distills his respect for Gerry Mulligan and his compositions.

Introducing Joris Roelofs
A stunning debut of a major talent! The 24-year alto saxophonist from the Netherlands recorded this perfect album with New York's best, young musicians Aaron Goldberg, Matt Penman and Ari Hoenig! Very highly recommended!

Sinne Eeg
Now considered as one of the best jazz singers in Scandinavia, Sinne Eeg (pronounced see-nay eigh) recorded this debut CD with her regular trio in 2003. Wonderful!

Sinne Eeg / Waiting For Dawn
Winner of 2008 Danish Music Award "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year"! The second album of talented Danish singer Sinne Eeg features a Scandinavian all-star piano trio: Lars Jansson, Mads Vinding and Morten Lund! Beautiful original songs with a few jazz standards thrown in for good measure. One of the best jazz vocal CDs of 2008! Very highly recommended!

New Arrivals: Vinyl LPs

Six very rare, collectible reissue LPs from Japan!

Zoot Sims / 5658 (LP)
Zoot Sims' previously unreleased sessions with Jack Sheldon, Kenny Drew, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford and Kenny Clarke! Individually numbered limited edition picture record! Only 1,000 copies pressed!
(Red. 1956 & 1958)

Allen Eager / Swingin' With Allen Eager (LP)
Tenor saxophonist Allen Eager's rare recordings with Terry Gibbs, Mundell Lowe, and Howard McGhee! Individually numbered limited edition color record! Only 1,000 copies pressed! (Rec. 1951 & 1953)

Herbie Steward / One Morning In May (LP)
Great but underexposed tenor saxophonist's previously unreleased sessions recorded in Japan with Gene DeNovi, Dave Young and Yukio Kimura. Individually numbered limited edition color record! Only 1,000 copies pressed!

Franco Cerri And His European Jazz Stars (200g LP)
The first leader album of one of the most respected and widely known jazz guitarists in Italy. Cerri is supported by an European all-star cast of Swiss and Swedish musicians. A super-rare vinyl reissue! Only 1,000 copies pressed! (Rec. 1959)

Dexter Gordon / Dexter Rides Again (180g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! This LP contains three of the legendary tenor saxophonist's earliest recording sessions as leader. Bebop all-star cast includes Tadd Dameron, Bud Powell, Curley Russell, Art Blakey and Max Roach! (Rec. 1945-1947)

Oscar Peterson Trio In Tokyo - Live At The Palace Hotel (180g LP)
This very rare, live-in-concert album represents the last recording of Oscar Peterson's last regular trio with Michel Donato and Louis Hayes, and captures him at the peak of his long and exciting career! (Rec. 1972)

Coming soon...

• Warner Music SHM-CD jazz reissue series: Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Pat Martino and Bud Powell! 2008 24-bit digital remastering!
• Two brand-new releases from Blueport Jazz: Buster Williams Trio with Kenny Barron and Lenny White; and Gene Bertoncini's solo & duo album with Mundell Lowe and Bob Magnusson!
• Latest CD release from Venus Records: Eddie Higgins Quintet with Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski; Phil Woods Quintet; and Roma Trio!
• Bassist Dave Carpenter's last recording: Japanese pianist Hajime Yoshizawa's Innocent Nocturne with Peter Erskine.
• Kenwood Jazz classic album reissue series: Roland Hanna, Duke Jordan, Sonny Stitt with the Hank Jones Trio, Billy Harper & Jon Faddis!
• 10 brand-new, 200-gram vinyl releases from Venus Records, plus several more older vinyl titles!
• Rare vinyl reissue from Japan: Walter Bishop, Jr. Speak Low!
• New release CDs: Canadian singer Emilie Claire Barlow; Italian neo hard bop group High Five's live in Japan; Matthias Vogt Trio from Germany; Junko Moriya Orchestra; Korean singer Youn Sun Nah; The Real Group; and Roberta Gambarini!

Happy listening to you all!