[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import will be selling CDs and LPs at the 9th Annual Newport Beach Jazz Party to be held February 12-15 at Marriot Newport Beach Hotel & Spa. The wonderful artist lineup includes Scott Hamilton, David Hazeltine, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Nicki Parrott. For tickets and details, go to the Newport Beach Jazz Party's official website!

Eastwind Import will bring its entire inventory of CDs, SACDs and LPs to the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society's Fifth Annual Super Software Swap Meet on Sunday, February 22, 1pm-4pm, at the Holiday Inn, Buena Park! Come to this great event, buy direct and save on shipping! For details, go to LAOCAS's website.

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Swing Journal 2008 Jazz Disc Awards!

Swing Journal, the most prestigious jazz magazine, announced its 42nd annual Jazz Disc Awards. We were very pleased to learn that many of the CDs we select and carry received awards, and would like to share the news with you. Congratulations to the winning artists and labels!

2008 JAZZ DISC GOLD AWARD (THE BEST OF THE YEAR)
Hiromi's Sonicbloom / Beyond Standard (Hybrid SACD)

2008 JAZZ DISC SILVER AWARD
Manhattan Jazz Quintet / V.S.O.P.

2008 VOCAL AWARD
Nicki Parrott / Moon River
Cheryl Bentyne / Songs Of Our Time

2008 BEST PRODUCTION AWARD
Chick Corea and Hiromi Uehara / Duet (2 CD)
Renato Sellani Trio / My Foolish Heart
Renato Sellani & Danilo Rea / Amapola
Renato Sellani Trio / O Sole Mio

2008 BEST ENGINEERING AWARD
Renato Sellani Trio / My Foolish Heart
Tiffany / Amazing Grace [Hybrid SACD]

2008 NEW STAR AWARD
High Five / Five For Fun
Amanda Brecker / Here I Am

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals - CDs: New Recordings

Three brand-new releases from Venus Records!

Eddie Higgins Quintet featuring Scott Hamilton & Ken Peplowski / A Handful Of Stars
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The golden quintet returns with their second CD. Their masterful tastes, gentle swing and warm interactions are as lovely and comfortable as a fireplace in the middle of winter! (Rec. 2008)

Phil Woods Quintet / Ballads & Blues
One of the best living alto saxophone players returns to Venus Records with his star-studded quintet which includes Brian Lynch and Bill Charlap. Ballds & Blues also represents Woods' first composer's songbook dedicated to Billy Strayhorn. This album will be remembered as one of Woods' best!

Roma Trio / The Four Seasons
Roma Trio is a splended piano trio from Italy led pianist Luca Mannutza. Their third release from Venus is a surprising, modern and fearless "jazzification" of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons concerti!

Brand-new releases from BluePort Jazz!

Buster Williams Trio / 65 Roses
One of the two exciting, brand-new releases from the elusive, specialty jazz label BluePort Jazz captures the super Buster Williams trio with Kenny Barron and Lenny White in a red-hot live performance.

Gene Bertoncini / 2 + 2 = 1
The poet of nylon string guitar, Gene Bertoncini ventured out to Southern California for a special project showcasing his magical guitar talent in a set of solo performances, a duo with Mundell Lowe on electric guitar, and a duo with bassist Bob Magnusson.

Blue Note 7 Japan-only, 2-Disc HQCD Deluxe Edition!

Blue Note 7 Mosaic - A Celebration of Blue Note Records Deluxe Edition (2CD, HQCD)
The all-star band, assembled to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records, has released a wonderful CD covering classic Blue Note tunes. The regular CD is widely available, but this Japan-only Deluxe Edition comes with a second CD containing all of the original recordings, and the two discs are pressed on better-sounding HQCD format. HQCD is compatible with any regular CD player.

Two brand-new recordings by Japanese musicians

Hajime Yoshizawa / Innocent Nocturne
Hajime Yoshizawa (b. 1965) is a Japanese pianist and keyboardist with a wide range of artistic expressions. Innocent Nocturne is a second collaboration with his uncle-in-law Peter Erskine and features his own strong compositions. This is also great bassist Dave Carpenter's last recording who suddenly passed away four months later.

Junko Moriya Orchestra / Groovin' Forward
The Japanese composer and pianist, and the winner of the prestigious 2005 Thelonious Monk International Composers Competition, returns with her big band, an all-star group of top-notch musicians based in Japan such as trumpeter Eric Miyashiro and drummer Masahiko Osaka.

To be continued...

[Hajime Sato]

Jazz CDs - Reissues

Mobile Fidelity Gold CD Frank Sinatra Reissues!

Frank Sinatra / Nice 'n' Easy (Gold CD)
On Nice 'N' Easy, Frank Sinatra selected a collection of songs he sung early in his career and it's a classic mix of breezy mid-tempo numbers and beautiful ballads. Mobile Fidelity mastering engineers painstakingly re-mastered it with the utmost care and respect to achieve great sound.

Frank Sinatra / Sings for Only the Lonely (Gold CD)
One of Sinatra's best records for Capitol, arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, is reissued with the best possible sound quality, thanks to the meticulous work of Mobile Fidelity mastering engineers.

Warner Jazz SHM-CD Reissue Series!

Digitally remastered the original tapes in 24 bit in 2008, and pressed them as SHM-CD that utilizes better polycarbonate material but is playable on any regular CD player. Limited, paper sleeve edition.

Bill Evans / You Must Believe In Spring
One of Evans' greatest studio trio recordings with superb sound quality. Recorded 1977 with Eddie Gomez and Elliot Zigmund.

Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans / Affinity
Evans' sympathetic musical meeting with the greatest jazz harmonica player in the world. (Rec. 1978)

Bill Evans / We Will Meet Again
Evans' small combo recording with Tom Harrell on trupmet and Larry Schneider on sax. GRAMMY Award winner! (Rec. 1978)

Bill Evans / The Paris Concert Edition One
Bill Evans / The Paris Concert Edition Two
Great examples of Evans' brilliance, with his "last" trio members Marc Johnson and Joe LaBarbera. (Rec. 1979)

Bill Evans / New Conversations
Bill Evans' third and final recording of overdubbed solos using an electric piano in addition to his acoustic playing. (rec. 1978)

Herbie Mann & The Bill Evans Trio / Nirvana
An obscure, but lyrical and sparkling session featuring flautist Herbie Mann with the Bill Evans Trio. (Rec. 1961)

Pat Martino / Starbright
Charismatic jazz guitarists' debut album for Warner Bros. showcases his eclectic tastes in a variety of musical settings. (Rec. 1976)

Pat Martino / Joyous Lake
Pat Martino recorded this hard electric fusion album right before his long hiatus. It is considered to be one of his best recorded works. (Rec. 1976)

   
Paul Desmond / First Place Again
Paul Desmond recorded this great album with Percy Heath, Connie Kay and Jim Hall after placing first once again in the alto chair in the Downbeat poll. (Rec. 1959)

Marty Paich / The Broadway Bit
One of the most memorable records by West Coast pianist and arranger, it features star players such as Art Pepper, Scott LaFaro, Jimmy Giuffre, Bill Perkins and Mel Lewis. (Rec. 1959)

Bud Powell In Paris
This live set with bassist Gilbert Rovere and drummer Kansas Fields (aka Carl Donnell) is one of Powell's best late-period recordings. (Rec. 1963)

Bud Powell / Inner Fires
This album features Powell's live performances with Charles Mingus and Roy Haynes. Includes a 1963 interview with Powell, giving listeners a rare chance to hear his voice. (Rec. 1953)

Keith Jarrett / Life Between The Exit Signs
Young Keith Jarrett's first album as leader, recorded for Atlantic with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. (Rec. 1967)

Keith Jarrett / The Mourning Of A Star
This album gives one an interesting look at the early Keith Jarrett, with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. (Rec. 1971)

Keith Jarrett El Juicio (The Judgement)
A collection of tunes taken from Jarrett's earliest leader sessions in 1971. With tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Paul Motian. (Rec. 1971)

Keith Jarrett / Birth
Jarrett's sessions of July 1971 resulted in three LPs and the birth of his "American Quartet" with Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. This particular album has some eccentric moments on adventurous pieces. (Rec. 1971)

Chick Corea / Inner Space
This double album reissues Chick Corea's first album as a leader, Tones for Joan's Bones, adding two previously unissued tracks from the same session plus a pair of performances from a Hubert Laws date. Features Joe Farrell, Woody Shaw, Steve Swallow and Joe Chambers. (Rec. 1966 & 1968)

Trio/Kenwood Jazz CD reissues!

Japanese audio manufacturer Trio, which would later become Kenwood, had its own jazz label which emphasized high quality sound as well as musical contents. During the 1970s and early 1980s, they recorded American jazz musicians in Japan. Their records are little known outside of Japan, but are of very high quality.

Roland Hanna / Glove
Pianist Sir Roland Hanna displays his virtuosity in this bebop-oriented recording, made live in studio as a very special, direct-to-disc cutting project. With George Mraz and Motohiko Hino. (Rec. 1977)

Duke Jordan Trio / Jor-Du
Duke Jordan's excellent live recording with his regular trio with bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Aage Tanggaard. (Rec. 1982)

Sonny Stitt with Hank Jones Trio / Good Life
The all-star group -- Sonny Stitt, Hank Jones, George Duvivier and Grady Tate -- toured Japan in 1980 and went straight to a studio after their last concert in Tokyo to make this wonderful record. Relaxed and inspired bebop! (Rec. 1980)

Billy Harper & Jon Faddis / Jon & Billy
This album is a memorable "souvenir" recording by the members of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra made during their extensive Japan tour in 1974. Sir Roland Hanna played a role of musical director to feature Jon Faddis and Billy Harper. (Rec. 1974)

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrival - Classical CD

A brand-new classical CD release from Yarlung Records!

John Walz / A Tribute to Pierre Fournier
Hailed as one of the outstanding cellists of his generation and the principal cellist at Los Angeles Opera, John Walz made this beautifully recorded album in tribute to his teacher and inspiration, the master cellist Pierre Fournier. Contains Martinu's Sonata No. 1 for cello and piano; Vivaldi's Concerto in E Minor for cello and orcestra; Couperin's "Piece en Concert," and Martinu's Concerto No. 1 for cello and orchestra.

New Arrivals - LPs

Venus Records 200g vinyl LPs!

Venus Records is one of the very few jazz labels in the world that releases brand-new recordings on vinyl LPs. Their limited-edition, 200-gram, heavy records are pressed in Japan at a state-of-the-art plant and of the highest quality. Eastwind Import has secured a few copies each of their recent and brand-new releases. They are all highly recommended to vinyl fans!

Ken Peplowski Quartet Memories of You Vol. 2

Bob Kindred Quartet / Nights of Boleros and Blues

Ken Peplowski Quartet / When You Wish Upon a Star (Tenor Sax)

Bill Charlap New York Trio / Always

George Garzone & Trio Da Paz / Night of My Beloved

Eddie Higgins Quintet featuring Scott Hamilton & Ken Peplowski / A Handful Of Stars

Eddie Higgins Solo Piano / Standards By Request 1st Day

Tessa Souter / Night Of Key Largo

Renato Sellani & Danilo Rea / Amapola

Phil Woods Quintet / Ballads & Blues

Kenny Werner Trio / With A Song In My Heart

Roma Trio / The Four Seasons

Simone / Let's Fall In Love

Dino Rubino / Mi Sono Innamorato Di Te

Coming soon...

• New release CDs: Canadian singer Emilie Claire Barlow; Italian neo hard bop group High Five's live in Japan; Matthias Vogt Trio from Germany; Korean singer Youn Sun Nah; The Real Group; and Roberta Gambarini!
• Blu-spec CD: Sony Japan's new CD formula utilizing new materials and technologies developed for Blu-ray Discs! Limited-edition CDs from the vaults of Sony feature Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius and Dave Brubeck!
• Three new releases from Marshmallow Records: Previously unreleased recordings of Zoot Sims, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Dorham, Bill Evans and Ben Webster! Simultaneous release on CD and LP, both individually numbered, limited edition of only 1,000 copies world-wide!
• Savoy Jazz HQCD Sampler: 2-CD set with identical music content will allow you to compare the sound of regular CD versus HQCD!
• SHM-CD reissues of great jazz albums from the catalogs of JVC and BMG, featuring Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and more!
• Audiophile vinyl LPs: Eden Atwood, Jacintha, Gene Harris, Diana Krall & Eva Cassidy!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Zoot Sims, Lee Morgan, Sarah Vaughan & Kenny Dorham!
• Japanese-pressing, 180g Blue Note reissue vinyl LPs from Toshiba EMI!
• Rare vinyl reissue from Japan: Walter Bishop, Jr. Speak Low!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import will be temporarily closed from Noon, March 18 until Noon, March 27 (US Pacific Time). We will not be able to take any orders during this period. We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope you will check back with us after we reopen on March 27.Happy listening to you all!

New Arrivals

Three new releases from Marshmallow Records

Marshmallow Records of Japan has just released three albums, simultaneously on CD and LP. Each title on each format is limited to 999 copies world-wide, and each copy is hand-numbered. They are all true collector's items. Order yours TODAY before they are gone forever!

Zoot Sims / Live In Japan 1977 Vol. 1 (CD)
Zoot Sims / Live In Japan 1977 Vol. 1 (180g LP)
Never-before-released live recording of tenor legend Zoot Sims is always welcome for his ardent fans. This very special album captures Sims in 1977 during his second visit to Japan. With like-minded musicians -- Dave McKenna, Bucky Pizzarelli, Major Holley and Jake Hanna -- Sims was clearly inspired and having lots of fun that night.

Eric Dolphy / The Uppsala Concert Vol. 1 (CD)
Eric Dolphy / The Uppsala Concert Vol. 1 (Picture LP)
This album captures Dolphy in Uppsala, Sweden, playing his bass clarinet, alto sax and flute with a local piano trio during his Europe tour in 1961. Dolphy's performance is extraordinary.

Various Artists / Jazz At The Golden Circle (CD)
Various Artists Jazz At The Golden Circle (Color LP)
This is a compilation of live performances at a once-famous jazz club in Stockholm, The Golden Circle, by Dexter Gordon, Kenny Dorham, Bill Evans, Ben Webster and Eje Thelin (a Swedish trombonist). Recorded between 1962 and 1965, each of these principal artists has one tune in this album, separately recorded with local musicians.

Blu-spec CDs

Following the SHM-CD by JVC/Universal and HQCD by Toshiba EMI, Sony has joined the competition for the next-generation, higher-quality CD formulation with its Blu-spec CD. Sony applies new technologies and materials developed for Blu-ray Discs to improve the sound of the Red Book CD.

It utilizes optimized optical fibers and blue laser to improve the quality of laser beam used to cut the CD master, and the new high-polymer polycarbonate material which enables a very precise transfer of bits from the stamper to the CD. The effects are reductions in reading errors and jitter, which translates to human ears as more open, vivid, and realistic sound that is closer to the quality of master tapes. And, as with SHM-CD and HQCD, Blu-spec CD is 100% compatible with normal CD players.

Now, Eastwind Import has selectedBlu-spec CDs in stock. Check out the jazz and classical 2CD samplers (special packages allow the listener to compare the Blu-spec CD with regular CD with the same musical content) and individual reissues of classic albums from the vast vault of Sony/Columbia!

Blu-spec CD Jazz Sampler (2 CD)
Blu-spec CD Classical Sampler (2 CD)
Jaco Pastorius / Jaco Pastorius
Miles Davis / Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis / Round About Midnight
Miles Davis / My Funny Valentine
Weather Report / Heavy Weather
Herbie Hancock / Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock / Flood (Live in Japan 1975)
Dave Brubeck Quartet / Time Out
Thelonious Monk / Solo Monk
Miles Davis / Miles Ahead
Miles Davis / Milestones
Miles Davis / Sketches Of Spain
Miles Davis / Four & More
Miles Davis / Miles In Tokyo
Miles Davis / E.S.P.
Miles Davis / Miles Smiles

Three notable new releases from Japan!

The Real Group / Jazz: Live
One of the early albums by the Swedish super-a capella group is re-released in Japan. With this astonishing live album, the five singers (two female and three male) established themselves as THE premier jazz vocal group in Europe! (Rec. 1996)

Matthias Vogt Trio / Coming Up For Air
The latest album by a German trio led by a talented pianist who came out of the so-called "club jazz" scene. This is cutting-edge European jazz that is informed by soul, funk, AOR, classical and world music. Deceptively simple but supremely cool! (Rec. 2008)

Youn Sun Nah / Voyage
This is a truly international creation: A Korean singer living in Paris recorded her seventh leader album in Sweden with two Swedes - guitarist Ulf Wakenius and bassist Lars Danielsson, French percussionist Xavier Desandre Navarre and a Norwegian guest trumpeter Matthias Eick. A delightfully surprising, unique jazz album by a fereless and very talented singer! Recommended!

Coming soon...

• New release CDs: Canadian singer Emilie Claire Barlow; Italian neo hard bop group High Five's live in Japan; and Roberta Gambarini!
• Savoy Jazz HQCD Sampler: 2-CD set with identical music content will allow you to compare the sound of regular CD versus HQCD!
• SHM-CD reissues of great jazz albums from the catalogs of JVC and BMG, featuring Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and more!
• Audiophile vinyl LPs: Eden Atwood, Jacintha, Gene Harris, Diana Krall & Eva Cassidy!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Zoot Sims, Lee Morgan, Sarah Vaughan & Kenny Dorham!
• Japanese-pressing, 180g Blue Note reissue vinyl LPs from Toshiba EMI!
• Reissues of great jazz vocal albums: Irene Kral's Angel Eyes - Live in Tokyo Complete Edition (with 10 previously unreleased tracks) and Ann Burton's He's Funny That Way, both on the audiophile HQCD format!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals

Emilie-Claire Barlow / Haven't We Met?
Canadian chanteuse Emilie-Claire Barlow's latest CD (rec. 2008) is a charming collection of great standards, French and Brazilian songs, tastefully arranged and beautifully executed with superb musicianship. This Japanese edition includes one bonus track. Recommended!

Irene Kral / Angel Eyes - Live In Tokyo Complete (HQCD)
This "Complete" edition includes 10 previously unreleased songs from the legendary 1977 Tokyo concert by Irene Kral, one of my all-time favorite jazz singers. Taken from the recently discovered original master tapes, this HQCD (a new format that offers better sound quality and is compatible with all CD players) is the definitive edition of this recording!

Ann Burton / He's Funny That Way - Lobster Recordings (HQCD)
This HQCD (a new format that offers better sound quality and is compatible with all CD players) includes two albums by Dutch singer Ann Burton, recorded for an obscure Japanese label in 1977 and 1980. This intimate recording was originally made for audiophile direct-cut LPs, and the superb sound quality is reproduced on this beautiful HQCD!

High Five / Live For Fun
The Italian all-star quintet led by trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso follows their award-winning Five For Fun with this exciting live album recorded in Tokyo in 2008. Destined to become one of the best jazz albums of 2009!

Diana Krall Quiet Nights (SHM-CD+DVD)
The deluxe, Japan-only special limited edition of the long-awaited new release by the popular singer/pianist Diana Krall comes on the great-sounding SHM-CD format (compatible with all CD players) and with a bonus DVD (NTSC, playable in all regions)!

New & sealed LPs for vinyl fans!

Zoot Sims & Bob Brookmeyer / Stretching Out (180g LP)
This European pressing, brand-new reissue LP presents Sims and Brookmeyer in a relaxed, swinging session with Al Cohn, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Hank Jones, Freddie Green, Eddie Jones and Charlie Persip! (Rec. 1958)

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers / With Thelonious Monk
This European pressing, brand-new reissue LP features Art Blakey and his Messengers joined by the legendary pianist Thelonious Monk. The line-up of the Jazz Messengers includes Johnny Griffin, Bill Hardman and Spanky DeBrest. (Rec. 1957)

Lee Morgan / Dizzy Atmosphere (180g LP)
This European pressing, brand-new reissue LP contains Lee Morgan's complete Dizzy Atmosphere album, recorded when he was a teenage phenomenon with prominent members of the Dizzy Gilliespie's orchestra including Al Grey, Billy Mitchell and Wynton Kelly. (Rec. 1957)

Kenny Dorham / Quiet Kenny (LP)
This brand-new reissue Original Jazz Classics LP (US pressing) features one of the best albums, and the only one-horn quartet album made by the trumpeter. A classic with Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers and Art Taylor. (Rec. 1959)

Sarah Vaughan / With Clifford Brown (180g LP)
This European pressing, brand-new reissue LP features one of the most important jazz vocal albums ever recorded. Contains stunning performances by the singer and the brilliant trumpeter Clifford Brown, with Herbie Mann, Paul Quinichette, Jimmy Jones, Joe Benjamin and Roy Haynes. (Rec. 1954)

Miles Davis / Jazz Track (180g LP)
This European pressing, brand-new reissue LP contains the complete original Jazz Track album consisting of a suite of Miles' music for Louis Malle's film Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud (Frantic), coupled with 3 tracks from a 1958 session by the Miles Davis Sextet featuring Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane and Bill Evans. (Rec. 1957 & 1958)

Eva Cassidy / Songbird (180g LP)
This audiophile 180 gram LP represents a specially-sequenced introduction to the music of Eva Cassidy, an enormously talented singer with powerful voice. Remastered by Steve Hoffman, this LP will give audiophiles and her fans a special way to enjoy this already-classic title.

Eden Atwood / Waves (180g LP & 45rpm LP)
Seductive singer Eden Atwood recorded this bossa nova album with superb jazz musicians including Bill Cunliffe, Darek Oles, Joe LaBarbera and Anthony Wilson. This audiophile set includes a full 33 1/3 album plus a bonus 45rpm LP with 3 songs.

Jacintha Best Of Jacintha (180g 2LP)
The first-ever collection of the best recorded performances by the popular Singaporean singer Jacintha is now available on great-sounding vinyl. This gorgeous double LP set is a great introduction to Jacintha and an ear-candy for audiophiles!

Jacintha / Jacintha Is Her Name (180g 45rpm 2LP)
One of her best albums, featuring top-notch musicians such as Bill Cunliffe, Harry Allen, Ron Eschete and Larry Banker, is now available on superior-sounding 45 RPM, 180 gram double LP set. This is an audiophile's dream album!

Gene Harris Trio / Plus One (180g 45rpm 2LP)
This audiophile 180 gram 45 RPM double LP set features "His Funkiness" Gene Harris playing at his very bluesy best and trading solos with tenor Stanley Turrentine who also turns in one of his best performances. With magnificent Ray Brown on bass and Mickey Roker on drums.

Diana Krall / Live In Paris (180g 2LP)
One of the most anticipated release from a new outfit ORG is Diana Krall's first and superb live album, featuring Anthony Wilson, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton as well as gorgeous orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent and Claus Ogerman. Mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on premium HQ 180 gram vinyl, this 2 LP set sounds marvelous!

Diana Krall / The Look Of Love (180g 2LP)
The people at ORG did justice to Diana Krall's very popular, luxurious and sensuous album, featuring the lush orchestral sounds of master arranger Claus Ogerman. Mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on premium HQ 180 gram vinyl, this 2 LP set sounds marvelous!

(to be continued...)

[Hajime Sato]

(continued...)

More Vinyl: Toshiba EMI 180g Blue Note LP Reissue Series!

In 2008, Toshiba EMI celebrated the 100th anniversary's Blue Note founder Alfred Lion's birthday by releasing the definitive vinyl editions of 20 Blue Note classic albums. Their common features guarantee superb sound quality:

• Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder using the best available master tapes
• Lacquers cut by legendary Japanese cutting engineer Toru Kotetsu of JVC
• Pressed in the state-of-the-art pressing plant in Japan on 180 gram high quality vinyl

They are clearly the greatest-sounding vinyl reissues of these historic Blue Note albums, arguably better-sounding than the impossible-to-find and astronomically-priced originals! Some of these rare, limited editions are already out of print! Order your copy before they are gone!

Cannonball Adderley / Somethin' Else (180g LP)

Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin' (180g LP)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Moanin' (180g LP)

Bud Powell / The Scene Changes (180g LP)

Sonny Rollins / A Night At The Village Vanguard (180g LP)

Lee Morgan / Candy (180g LP)

Clifford Brown / Memorial Album (180g LP)

Herbie Hancock / Maiden Voyage (180g LP)

Kenny Dorham / 'Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia (180g LP)

Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims (180g LP)

Jackie McLean / Swing Swang Swingin' (180g LP)

Hank Mobley / Workout (180g LP)

Donald Byrd / Fuego (180g LP)

Duke Jordan / Flight To Jordan (180g LP)

Tina Brooks / True Blue (180g LP)

Kenny Drew / Undercurrent (180g LP)

Kenny Burrell / Midnight Blue (180g LP)

Johnny Griffin / The Congregation (180g LP)

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers / A Night In Tunisia (180g LP)

Coming soon...

• New release CDs: Italian trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso's new Latin jazz project; Italian singer Stefania Rava, Japanese pianist Miki Hayama, and the latest release from Roberta Gambarini!
• Savoy Jazz HQCD Sampler: 2-CD set with identical music content will allow you to compare the sound of regular CD versus HQCD!
• SHM-CD reissues of great jazz albums from the catalogs of JVC and BMG, featuring Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and more!
• SHM-CD reissues of all of Diana Krall's past albums!
• More Blu-spec CD reissues: Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown and Wynton Marsalis!
• Three brand-new releases from Venus Records: Nicki Parrott, Richie Beirach solo piano, and Bill Charlap New York Trio with Ken Peplowski!
• Four Brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano: Italian pianist Paolo Di Sabatino, Estonian pianist Tonu Naissoo, and Hungarian singer Nikoletta Szoke!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, Prestige All-Stars, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Abbey Lincoln, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis!
• Walter Bishop Jr.'s legendary album Speak Low, finally reissued on audiophile 200-gram vinyl and CD!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals at Eastwind Import: HQCD & SHM-CD galore!

Savoy Jazz HQCD Sampler!

Various Artists / Savoy Jazz HQCD Sampler (2CD)
A great compilation of classic Savoy jazz recordings in a 2-disc package: The same musical contents are pressed onto superior-sounding new format, HQCD, and regular CD. Curious audiophiles can compare the sound of two formats on their own systems. A great introduction for the Savoy label, too!

Baystate Hard Bop Legends SHM-CD Collection!

A unique Japanese jazz label Baystate was established in 1975 under RVC, a joint venture between RCA and JVC. Over time, producer Yoshio Ozawa built a rich catalog that consists of what some people call "spiritual jazz" as well as straight ahead, hard bop "concept albums" produced specifically for the Japanese market.

The Hard Bop Legends SHM-CD Collection is a series of reissues of great albums in the latter category. Featuring legendary, veteran jazz musicians like Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Drew and Benny Golson, these sides were recorded originally released in the early 1980s. Now, this Collection revives these long out-of-print recordings in the superior new format of SHM-CD. Take a look!

Art Blakey & The All Star Jazz Messengers / Caravan (SHM-CD)
A great reunion session by Blakey and his former bandmates: Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Walter Davis, Jr. and Buster Williams! The all-star band performs the Messengers' hit tunes and brand-new compositions. (Rec. 1983)

Art Blakey & The All Star Jazz Messengers (SHM-CD)
Chronologically this reunion session was recorded earlier. Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton and Buster Williams revisit the Messengers' hit tunes and brand-new compositions with intense creativity. (Rec. 1982)

Kenny Drew Trio / 'Round Midnight (SHM-CD)
Pianist Kenny Drew, a long-time resident of Copenhagen, had a great trio with super-bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and veteran drummer Ed Thigpen, and recorded a great number of wonderful trio albums in the 1980s. The quality of music and level of musicianship are consistently high. (Rec. 1985)

Kenny Drew Trio / Dream (SHM-CD)
Features the "Golden Trio" of pianist Kenny Drew, super-bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and veteran drummer Ed Thigpen. (Rec. 1987)

Kenny Drew Trio / Someday My Prince Will Come (SHM-CD)
Features the "Golden Trio" of pianist Kenny Drew, super-bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and veteran drummer Ed Thigpen. (Rec. 1983)

Kenny Drew Trio / My Romance (SHM-CD)
Features the "Golden Trio" of pianist Kenny Drew, super-bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and veteran drummer Ed Thigpen. (Rec. 1983)

Duke Jordan / Blue Duke (SHM-CD)
A resident of Copenhagen since 1978, pianist Duke Jordan was enormously popular in Europe and Japan during the later stage of his career. This attractive trio album features Danish bassist Harry Emmery and drummer James Martion. (Rec. 1983)

Tommy Flanagan Super Jazz Trio with Art Farmer / Something Tasty (SHM-CD)
Taking a hint from Hank Jones and his Great Jazz Trio, the Japanese producers paired the legendary pianist Tommy Flanagan with bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Joe Chambers and called the group "Super Jazz Trio." This album features the wonderful trio with guest trumpeter Art Farmer. Lyrical and incisive hard bop! (Rec. 1979)

Bobby Hutcherson / Nice Groove (SHM-CD)
For this wonderful, straight-ahead hard bop session, Hutcherson was paired with pianist George Cables and legendary drummer Philly Joe Jones. The leader's vibraphone sounds prestine, soulful and inspired, aided by the magic touch of Cables and crisp, swinging drumming of Jones. (Rec. 1983)

Kenny Barron / Landscape (SHM-CD)
Landscape features master pianist Kenny Barron with a superb rhythm section of Cecil McBee and Al Foster. The program consists of several standards, two original compositions by Barron (catchy "Calypso" and "Sunset"), and effective jazz arrangements of two Japanese songs. (Rec. 1984)

Cedar Walton All American Trio (SHM-CD)
Another group inspired by the success of Hank Jones and his Great Jazz Trio, the "All American Trio" features Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette. This unexpected combination produced musical sparks and inspiration. (Rec. 1983)

Freddie Hubbard / The Rose Tattoo (SHM-CD)
 
This album features the legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard in a very unique setting: He plays his trumpet with a Harmon mute throughout the entire album. Backed by Kenny Barron, Cecil McBee and Joe Chambers, Hubbard plays incredibly powerful and emotional solos and stunningly beautiful ballads. (Rec. 1983)

Benny Golson Freddie Hubbard Woody Shaw / Time Speaks (SHM-CD)
For this special tribute to Clifford Brown, Benny Golson called upon two supreme trumpeters, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, to form a powerful three-horn frontline. With Kenny Barron, Cecil McBee and Ben Riley. (Rec. 1982)

(to be continued...)

[Hajime Sato]

(continued...)

The New Jazztet / Nostalgia (SHM-CD)
Nostalgia marks a special reunion of The Jazztet, a legendary hard bop group from 1959-62 that featured three-horn harmonies of Art Farmer, Benny Golson and Curtis Fuller. With Micky Tucker, Rufus Reid and Billy Hart, the group tackles Golson's fresh and innovative arrangements. (Rec. 1983)

Benny Golson & The All American Trio / This Is For You, John (SHM-CD)
This is Benny Golson's heartfelt tribute to John Coltrane. With Pharoah Sanders as special guest and backed by Cedar Walton's All American Trio with Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette, the all-star group performs Coltrane's repertoire and originals by the leader and Sanders. A stirring, passionate tribute! (Rec. 1983)

Benny Golson with Curtis Fuller / California Message (SHM-CD)
For a reunion session with his former Jazztet colleague Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson took him to California and recorded with West Coast musicians, including Bill Mays (on electric piano), Bob Magnusson and Roy McCurdy. (Rec. 1980)

John Lewis & The New Jazz Quartet / Slavic Smile (SHM-CD)
Recorded shortly after the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet was reunited, this album represents John Lewis's search for a new sound with a new group featuring vibist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Connie Kay. (Rec. 1982)

Don Friedman / Later Circle (SHM-CD)
Later Circle finds veteran pianist Don Friedman in peak form. His lyrical, romantic style seems to have gained power and dynamism as he grew older and matured as an artist. With bassist George Mraz and drummer Ronnie Bedford. (Rec. 1978)

Diana Krall SHM-CD Collection!

Following the gorgeous, limited-edition SHM-CD & DVD package of Diana Krall's latest album Quiet Nights, we have obtained from Universal Japan a series of SHM-CD reissues of Diana Krall's now classic albums. From her major debut Only Trust Your Heart to GRAMMY-winner When I Look In Your Eyes to her first compilation The Very Best Of, these albums you fell in love with are now available as great-sounding SHM-CDs! Many of the Japan-only editions contain exclusive bonus tracks not available in their respecrive US editions.

Recommended for audiophiles who'd like to listen to Ms. Krall's sedcutive vocals with best possible sounds! Order yours today before these limited-edition SHM-CDs are gone forever!

SHM-CD uses a special, high-quality polycarbonate material and offers superior sound quality, and is compatible with all regular CD players.

The Very Best of Diana Krall (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / From This Moment On (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / Live In Paris (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / The Look Of Love (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / When I Look In Your Eyes (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / Love Scenes (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / All For You (SHM-CD)

Diana Krall / Only Trust Your Heart (SHM-CD)

Coming soon...

• JVC's legendary jazz albums now in SHM-CD: Bill Evans tribute, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Terumasa Hino, Takehiro Honda and Mikio Masuda!
• New release CDs: Italian trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso's new Latin jazz project; Italian singer Stefania Rava, Japanese pianist Miki Hayama, and the latest release from Roberta Gambarini!
• HQCD 2-disc samplers: Jazz Edition and Classical Edition!
• More Blu-spec CD reissues: Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown and Wynton Marsalis!
• Three brand-new releases from Venus Records: Nicki Parrott, Richie Beirach solo piano, and Bill Charlap New York Trio with Ken Peplowski!
• Four Brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano: Italian pianist Paolo Di Sabatino, Estonian pianist Tonu Naissoo, and Hungarian singer Nikoletta Szoke!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, Prestige All-Stars, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Abbey Lincoln, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis!
• Walter Bishop Jr.'s legendary album Speak Low, finally reissued on audiophile 200-gram vinyl and CD!
• Brand-new audiophile vinyl LP releases: Marty Paich (Warner Bros.) and John Coltrane (Impulse! - ORG: individually numbered, 45 rpm double LP edition!)

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Latest News

Eastwind Import will participate in Can Jam 2009, the biggest national convention for headphone audio enthusiasts organized by Head-Fi.org, as the sole official software vendor!

Dates: May 30th and 31st
Location: The Hilton at LAX in Los Angeles

We will bring the very best of our audiophile CDs, SACDs, XRCDs, SHM-CDs, HQCDs, Blu-spec CDs, and, of course, vinyl LPs! We will also donate a wonderful assormtents of audiophile sampler CDs to the raffle. If you are in the area, come and check out what headphone hi-fi is all about! For details, go to www.head-fi.org.

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Roberta Gambarini's new release!

Roberta Gambarini / So In Love
Eagerly awaited brand-new recording by GRAMMY-nominated singer Roberta Gambarini! Another straight-ahead winner with impeccable singing, great arrangements and superb musicianship! With Tamir Hendelman, Chuck Burghofer, Jake Hanna, James Moody, Roy Hargrove and more. Undoubtedly one of the best jazz vocal albums of 2009! (Rec. 2008)

3 brand-new releases from Venus Records!

Nicki Parrott / Fly Me To The Moon
Eagerly awaited sophomore release by the talented singer/bassist Nicki Parrott exceeds our expectations! With John di Martino, Lisa Parrott (Nicki's sister playing baritone and soprano sax), Mark Sganga, Harry Allen and Billy Drummond. Swing Journal Gold Disc! (Rec. 2008)

Richie Beirach Solo Piano / Jazz Adagio
Veteran pianist Richie Beirach succeeds in fusing the classical music and jazz through improvisation. A moving musical expression that rewards close listening! (Rec. 2008)

Bill Charlap New York Trio & Ken Peplowski / Stardust
Two big stars of Venus Records join forces in a dream project, and it's truly a match made in heaven! A great gift from Japan for fans of beautiful music and straight ahead jazz! Swing Journal Gold Disc! (Rec. 2008)

4 brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano!

Tonu Naissoo / Relaxin' At The Viru
A joyous, swinging live set of bebop tunes and lovely standards by Estonian pianist Tonu Naissoo. This rare Japanese reissue is already out of print and we only have a few copies in stock! (Rec. 1998)

Paolo Di Sabatino / Le Canzoni Di Caterina
Italian pianist Paolo Di Sabatino's new release is a collection of his original compositions, performed on solo piano and dedicatd to his daughter. Song-like tunes with simple, beautiful melodies and a touch of melancholy. A lovely album!(Rec. 2008)

Nikoletta Szőke / Golden Earrings
Nikoletta Szőke is a young Hungarian jazz singer with a pure, emotive voice. This self-produced debut CD shows her various musical interests, from the Great American Songbook to tunes by Stevie Wonder and Lennon & McCartney, elevated by jazz sensibilities and superb musicianship. Recommended for fans of vocal jazz!

Nikoletta Szőke / A Song For You
A promising young singer from Hungary, Nikoletta Szőke's second release from Atelier Sawano featuers her interpretations of standards and wonderful support of a superb trio -- Robert Lakatos, Thomas Stabenow and Klaus Weiss! (Rec. 2008)

JVC Jazz SHM-CD Reissue Series

JVC (Victor Entertainment, Inc.) has an extensive jazz catalog going back to the 1970s, recording American and Japanese musicians for projects specifically target to the Japanese market. Some of these classic jazz albums are being re-introduced on the superior-sounding format of SHM-CD, co-developed by JVC and Universal Japan. Eastwind Import has managed to stock seven of these hard-to-find titles.

Eliane Elias, Dave Grusin, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Brad Mehldau / Portrait of Bill Evans (SHM-CD)
Long out of print, this legendary tribute album -- which used to be an audiophile's favorite when it was available as XRCD -- is available again on SHM-CD!

Carmen McRae / As Time Goes By - Live at the Dug (SHM-CD)
This live recording captures Carmen McRae in her prime and in a very rare setting - a solo recital where she accompanies herself on the piano. An inspiring vocal album! (Rec. 1973)

Ron Carter / Third Plane (SHM-CD)
This relatively unknown album features Ron Carter in great form, leading a trio with his close musical colleagues Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams! (Rec. 1977)

Terumasa Hino / May Dance (SHM-CD)
Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino recorded this ambitious program of original compositions in New York with a top-notch group - Ron Carter, Tony Williams and a 25-years-old John Scofield! (Rec. 1977)

Takehiro Honda / Another Departure (SHM-CD)
Takehiro Honda / Reaching For Heaven (SHM-CD)
Jazz pianist Takehiro Honda went to New York for his first recording outside of Japan, and recorded -- with star players Ron Carter and Tony Williams -- enough materials for two albums. Soulful and groovy! (Rec. 1977)

Mikio Masuda / Black Daffodils (SHM-CD)
One of the leading Japanese jazz pianists, Mikio Masuda recorded this great trio album -- considered by many to be his towering achievement -- in 1996 in New York, with Ron Carter and Lewis Nash. Swing Journal Gold Disc!(Rec. 1996)

Coming soon...

• New release CDs: Italian trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso's new Latin jazz project; Italian singer Stefania Rava, and Japanese pianist Miki Hayama!
• HQCD 2-disc samplers: Jazz Edition and Classical Edition!
• More Blu-spec CD reissues: Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown and Wynton Marsalis!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, Prestige All-Stars, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Abbey Lincoln, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis!
• Walter Bishop Jr.'s legendary album Speak Low, finally reissued on audiophile 200-gram vinyl and CD!
• Brand-new audiophile vinyl LP releases: Marty Paich (Warner Bros.) and John Coltrane (Impulse! - ORG: individually numbered, 45 rpm double LP edition!)

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

CDs

Fabrizio Bosso Javier Girotto Latin Mood / Sol
Italian trumpet sensation Fabrizio Bosso's newest project is a Latin jazz group co-led by Argentinean-born saxophone player Javier Girotto. From samba to bossa nova to tango to Afro-Cuban, this CD will take you to a musical journey through diverse facets of Latin music!

Miki Hayama / Wide Angle
Resident of New York City, Japanese pianist Miki Hayama shows her talent as both pianist and composer in her third album as a leader. Strong support is provided by Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Victor Lewis. Imaginative, angular, powerful yet lyrical and sensitive!

The Real Group / Get Real!
This is the Swedish a cappella chorus group's collection of early hit songs from 1995 and 1996, plus three bonus tracks. It is a good mixture of pop- and jazz-oriented songs.

Al Haig / Cleff Session 1953
World premier release on CD! This rare recording, made in 1953 at a jazz club in Los Angeles called Cleff, captures bop pianist Al Haig in the company of great West Coast musicians--Lee Konitz, Richie Kamuca, Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino, Don Bagley and Stan Levey. (There are some sound quality issues due to the impromptu, single-microphone recording.)

HQCDs
HQCD (High Quality CD) is a new CD formulation developed by EMI Music Japan. The higher quality polycarbonate material developed for LCD panels and specially formulated amalgam -- instead of regular alumunum -- in its reflective layer improve the sound quality by reducing reading errors in playback. It is compatible with all regular CD players.

Stefania Rava / Send In The Clowns (HQCD)
New recording! Following her contemporary Roberta Gambarini, Italian singer Stefania Rava performed with many jazz greats during her four-year stay in the United States. This HQCD presents her clear, subtly shaded voice and cool yet soulful delivery with great sound quality!

Walter Bishop, Jr. Trio / Speak Low (HQCD)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Released by a short-lived minor label, this album quickly disappeared from the market and became one of the rarest, most desired jazz records of all time. It is now re-released on great-sounding HQCD! Pianist Bishop is accompanied by Jimmy Garrison on bass and G.T. Hogan on drums. (Rec. 1961)

Various Artists / HQCD Jazz Sampler
This 2-disc package features 12 classic jazz recordings, taken from the vast catalog of the EMI Group (which includes the Blue Note label), by Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Cannonball Adderley and Julie London, among others. The two discs (Disc 1: HQCD, Disc 2: Regular CD) contain the same music content and made from the same masters, allowing curious audiophiles to compare the two formats.

Various Artists / HQCD EMI Classical Sampler/font]
This 2-disc package features 13 tracks taken from the vast catalog of the EMI Group, all legendary performances recorded between 1953 and 2003. The two discs (Disc 1: HQCD, Disc 2: Regular CD) contain the same music content and made from the same masters, allowing curious audiophiles to compare the two formats.

Blu-spec CDs
The Blue-spec format takes Blu-ray disc technology to create CD's which are compatible with normal CD players but provides ultra high quality sound. Sony Music Japan is re-releasing many of its classic jazz recordings from the Sony/Columbia catalog on this superior format. Here are the latest additions:

Miles Davis / 1958 Miles (Blu-spec CD)br]

Miles Davis / Porgy And Bess (Blu-spec CD)

Miles Davis / Someday My Prince Will Come (Blu-spec CD)

Miles Davis / Seven Steps To Heaven (Blu-spec CD)

Miles Davis In Europe (Blu-spec CD)

Miles Davis / Miles In Berlin (Blu-spec CD)

Wynton Marsalis / Standard Time Vol. 1 (Blu-spec CD)

Clifford Brown / The Beginning And The End (Blu-spec CD)

J.J. Johnson / Dial J.J.5 (Blu-spec CD)

Duke Ellington / Hi-Fi Ellington Uptown (Blu-spec CD)

Charles Mingus / Mingus Ah Um (Blu-spec CD)

Coming soon...

• Two brand-new releases from Venus Records: Eric Alexander and Derek Smith!
• Two brand-new released from Atelier Sawano: Arnold Klos and Perrine Mansuy!
• Out-of-print 1999 CD by talented Italian pianist Dado Moroni!
• Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone's latest CD: A Latin jazz album with super-big band No Name Horses!
• Rare reissues: Barney Kessel Live At Sometime, Beverly Kenney Sings For Johnny Smith (HQCD), Sings For Playboys (SHM-CD) and Born To Be Blue (SHM-CD)!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, Prestige All-Stars, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Abbey Lincoln, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis!
• Walter Bishop Jr.'s legendary album Speak Low, reissued on audiophile 200-gram vinyl!
• Brand-new audiophile vinyl LP releases: Marty Paich (Warner Bros.) and John Coltrane (Impulse! - ORG: individually numbered, 45 rpm double LP edition!)

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Two brand-new releases from Venus Records!

Eric Alexander Quartet / Lazy Afternoon - Gentle Ballads IV
Eagerly awaited latest Venus release from tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is the fourth in the renowned "Gentle Ballads" series, a collection of beautiful ballads that showcases the brawny and powerful Alexander's genlte and lyrical side. Another masterpiece!

Derek Smith Trio / Beautiful Love
A veteran jazz pianist noted for his versatility and elegance, Derek Smith may be relatively unknown but is strongly admired by fellow musicians and astute fans. His debut CD from Venus Records is a wonderful collection of hot swingers and elegant ballads. Recommended for fans of piano trio jazz!

Two brand-new releases from Atelier Sawano!

Arnold Klos Trio / Elsa
Dutch pianist of the Bill Evans school, Arnold Klos's latest trio album is a charming collection of lightly swinging, lyrical and sweet performances of standards and originals. Recommended for fans of lyrical piano jazz!

Perrine Mansuy Trio / AlbaFrench pianist and composer Perrine Mansuy's second release from Atelier Sawano features her regular trio with telepathic interplay and showcases her attractive original compositions as well as well-known tunes from a wide range of musical genres. The trio's style is lyrical and poetic but with an ultramodern edge. The prestine sound quality adds to the value of this rewarding CD!

Out-of-print CD from Canada!

Dado Moroni Trio / Out Of The Night
This rare, out-of-print CD released in 1999 by a now-defunct Canadian label Jazz features talented Italian pianist Dado Moroni with bassist Ira Coleman, drummer Bill Goodwin and guest trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. Moroni's driving sense of swing and creative approaches to arrangements are refreshing. Recommended for fans of staright-ahead jazz!

Brand-new big band recording from Japan!

Makoto Ozone featuring No Name Horses / Jungle
Internationally-renowned pianist/composer Makoto Ozone and his adventure with the Japanese all-star big band No Name Horses takes a Latin-inspired turn in their third CD. Technically brilliant and emotionally inspired. Recommeded for fans of big band jazz!

Rare reissues

Barney Kessel / Live At Sometime
This rare reissue CD finds guitar virtuoso Barney Kessel in 1977, in a live performance in a small club in Tokyo. Simply accompanied by bassist Kunimitsu Inaba and drummer Tetsujiro Obara, Kessel displays the full range of his guitar artistry to an appreciative audience. A must-have item for fans of Barney Kessel and jazz guitar in general!

Beverly Kenney

Born in 1932, Beverly Kenney emerged during the mid 1950s as a promising young jazz singer but died at a tragically young age of 28, leaving only six albums behind. Three of her albums were recently reissued in Japan on superior-sounding new CD formulations: HQCD and SHM-CD. They are all compatible with regular CD players. If you are a fan of jazz singing, you should definitely check out Beverly Kenney.

Beverly Kenney Sings for Johnny Smith (HQCD)

Beverly Kenney Born To Be Blue (SHM-CD)

Beverly Kenney Sings for Playboys (SHM-CD)

Coming soon...

• HQCD reissues of classic Enja and Denon albums: Tommy Flanagan, Junior Mance, Tete Montoliu and Carmen McRae!
• Brand-new recordings: Jackie Ryan, Brian Bromberg, Amanda Brecker, The Stockholm Jazz Trio, Stewy von Wattenwyl Generation Trio featuring Eric Alexander, and Harry Allen!
• Two brand-new releases from Marshmallow Records: Olivier Antunes and Doug Raney!
• Two brand-new releases from Venus Records: Eddie Higgins and Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra!
• First time on CD in its complete form: Limited, 2CD edition of Elvin Jones's Live At The Lighthouse!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Abbey Lincoln, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis and Charles Mingus!
• Audiophile vinyl LP releases: Marty Paich (Warner Bros.) and John Coltrane (Impulse! - ORG: individually numbered, 45 rpm double LP edition!)
• Audiophile jazz LPs from Analogue Productions, Pure Pleasure Records and Speakers Corner!
• Rare reissue vinyl from Japan: Walter Bishop Jr., Franco Cerri and Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair!
• A very special, brand-new vinyl release: Norwegian bassist Terje Gewelt's trio recording with Enrico Pieranunzi!
• Ten new vinyl releases from Venus Records!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

New Arrivals - Vinyls Galore!

Eastwind Import is expanding its vinyl inventory! As many more people discover the warm, organic, and natural sound of vinyl that you can't get from digital media, brand-new jazz LPs of new and old recordings are being released almost weekly! Since it's impossible to stock them all, we use our taste, as we always do, to cherry-pick the best of the best: Essential reissues and notable new recordings that should be part of a collection of many jazz fans and vinyl lovers. They are all brand-new, factory-sealed, unplayed records unless they are clearly labeled as "Pre-owned."

If you are an audiophile and doesn't own a turntable, we recommend you to get one! Now's the best time in several decades to start a vinyl collection!

Look forward to regular new arrivals of jazz LPs on this blog and Eastwind Import's website!

Brand-new recording!
Stanley Clarke Trio / Jazz In The Garden (180g 2-LP, Pre-owned)
A surprising vinyl release of a brand-new jazz recording: Legendary bassist Stanley Clarke's acoustic trio project with Japanese sensation Hiromi Uehara on the piano and Lenny White on drums. This limited-edition 2-LP set (only 750 copies were pressed) contains two bonus tracks not available on CD! (NOTE: Unfortunately we have only one pre-owned copy left in stock. It was opened and played by us once. Offered for a special price of only $20! (Regular price $29)).

A very rare, limited-edition audiophile reissue from Japan!
Walter Bishop, Jr. Trio / Speak Low (200g LP)
Released by a short-lived minor label called Jazzline, Speak Low by pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. quickly disappeared from the market, and soon became a true collector's item. Now, the good people at DIW in Japan had a rare opportunity to remaster and reissue this album from the original master tapes as a limited-edition 200-gram vinyl LP. It does not get better than this, unless you have the impossible-to-find original!

Ultimate vinyl experience: ORG's 180-gram, 45-rpm, 2-LP reissues of classic Impulse! albums by John Coltrane!
Mastered by Bernie Grundman and only 1000 individually numbered copies available worldwide!
John Coltrane / Live At The Village Vanguard (180g 45rpm 2-LP)
Recorded in 1961 by Rudy Van Gelder, this steaming hot record captures Coltrane at his best with his great quartet plus very special guest Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet. The sound of this 45rpm set is spectacular! It also contains a "No EQ" version of "Chasin' The Trane" as a bonus track. Only one copy left in stock!

John Coltrane / Ballads (180g 45rpm 2-LP)
Another great work from ORG! This is the ultimate vinyl reissue of the imcomparable Ballads album -- one of the best-selling and most celebrated jazz records of all time!

Warner Brothers' 2009 audiophile 180-gram vinyl reissue!
Marty Paich / I Get A Boot Out Of You (180g LP)
Brilliant arranger Marty Paich's classic 1959 big band album featuring the all-star West Coast Band including Art Pepper, Jack Sheldon, Conte Candoli and Bill Perkins!Only one copy left in stock!

European pressing, 180-gram audiophile reissue!
The Art Tatum Ben Webster Quartet (180g LP)
Only one copy left in stock!

Rhino's 2009 reissues of classic Atlantic Jazz records!
Freddie Hubbard /Backlash (LP)

Charles Mingus / Pithecanthropus Erectus (LP)

Charles Mingus / The Clown (LP)

Charles Mingus / Blues & Roots (LP)

Charles Mingus / Oh Yeah (LP)

Charles Mingus / Tonight At Noon (LP)

Randy Weston / African Cookbook (LP)

Fantasy's recent Original Jazz Classics (OJC) vinyl reissues!
They are all recent reissues (late 2008 or 2009). While they may not boast audiophile credentials on the spec sheet, they sound very, very good and easily beat the CD editions in terms of sound quality. An excellent bargain!

Cannonball Adderley Quintet / In San Francisco (LP)

Bill Evans / Everybody Digs Bill Evans (LP)

Bill Evans Trio / Sunday At The Village Vanguard (LP)

Bill Evans Trio / Waltz for Debby (LP)

Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane (LP)

The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (LP)

Coleman Hawkins The Hawk Flies High
Only one copy left in stock!

Coming soon...

• HQCD reissues of classic Enja and Denon albums: Tommy Flanagan, Junior Mance, Tete Montoliu and Carmen McRae!
• Brand-new recordings: Jackie Ryan, Brian Bromberg, Amanda Brecker, The Stockholm Jazz Trio, Stewy von Wattenwyl Generation Trio featuring Eric Alexander, and Harry Allen!
• Two brand-new releases from Marshmallow Records: Olivier Antunes and Doug Raney!
• Two brand-new releases from Venus Records: Eddie Higgins and Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra!
• First time on CD in its complete form: Limited, 2CD edition of Elvin Jones's Live At The Lighthouse!
• A collector's item! Premium Box Set: Jazz In Sweden: 1949-1961 Metronome Records The Legendary Years; 9 CDs, 160 tracks; featuring Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan, Clifford Brown and many more!
• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis, Chet Baker!
• Audiophile jazz LPs from Analogue Productions, Groove Note, Pure Pleasure Records and Speakers Corner!
• A limited, audiophile edition: John Coltrane's Giant Steps in 45 RPM, 2-LP box set! Only 2500 sets available worldwide!
• Rare reissue vinyl from Japan: Franco Cerri and Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair!
• A very special, brand-new vinyl release: Norwegian bassist Terje Gewelt's trio recording with Enrico Pieranunzi!
• Ten new vinyl releases from Venus Records!

Happy listening to you all!

[Hajime Sato]

Big News!! Eastwind Import is now carrying <a href="http://www.eastwindimport.com/default.asp?categoryname=Audio+Gear" target="_blank">AUDIO GEAR[/url]!

Our Philosophy for the <a href="http://www.eastwindimport.com/default.asp?categoryname=Audio+Gear" target="_blank">AUDIO GEAR[/url] Shop
Our President Hajime Sato, a serious music lover and audiophile who also serves as a board member of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, selects the BEST equipment and accessories based on his personal experience. Just as we do with music software, we will offer only GREAT products with which Hajime is intimately familiar and would recommend to his friends without reservations.

30-Day Money Back Guarantee
For our <a href="http://www.eastwindimport.com/default.asp?categoryname=Audio+Gear" target="_blank">AUDIO GEAR[/url] offerings, we extend a 30-day money back guarantee to offer our customers a peace of mind. (Certain restrictions and restocking fees apply. For details, please see our policies on the <a href="http://www.eastwindimport.com/about-us.asp" target="_blank">"About Us" page[/url].)

Our Premier Audio Gear Offering: mhi Evidence loudspeakers!


The mhi Evidence is a unique loudspeaker engineered by Ed Kojima, a former speaker designer for Pioneer. His design goal was to create an affordable, high-performance speaker that is open, detailed, and has no crossover distortion in the frequency range of human voice. He achieved his design goal by using a 4.5" diameter "MOGAMI" paper cone mid/woofer in a full-range application without crossover. The higher frequency is augmented by a 2" pure aluminum true ribbon tweeter which operates from 10 Khz up to 120 Khz.

Other design features include high quality, solder-less connections in the crossover, gold-plated, large-size bi-wiring binding posts, and a front panel groove to mechanically isolate the two drivers. (See product details here.)

The result is a small giant-killer that gives the listener a superb imaging and tonal purity. When set up right, it completely disappears and throws a huge soundstage. Highly revealing, the speaker will respond well to proper break-in (at least 50 hours), proper set-up (good stands are a must) and high-quality amplification (the higher the quality of your amplifer, the better it sounds).

Because of their size and laws of physics, the mhi Evidence may not play extremely loud or really low bass. But if you are looking for a pair of small speakers for a smallish room, or in a second system in the bedroom, or for a desktop application, the mhi Evidence will be great for you. If you love vocal jazz and have a good quality tube amplifier, the mhi Evidence will be a PERFECT match for you!

Now, to celebrate the launch of our AUDIO GEAR SHOP, the first 10 pairs will be offered at a special introductory price of $600.00 only (regular price $650.00), and we will also throw in a FREE SHIPPING for our domestic customers (US only). For international customers, we offer a special flat shipping rate of $100.00 (regular shipping $145.00). Order yours today, because this special offer ends as soon as we've sold the first 10 pairs!

[Hajime Sato]

Two New Jazz Vocal Releases

Amanda Brecker / Brazillian Passion
Swing Journal Gold Disc! The talented singer/songwriter follows up her smash-hit debut CD Here I Am with a brilliant musical hommage to Brazil, the birthplace of her mother, pianist/singer Eliane Elias. Amanda sings famous bossa tunes as well as her original songs. With Oscar Castro-Neves, Andy Snitzer and guest singer Ivan Lins!

Jackie Ryan / Speak Low
A highly respected jazz singer with a rich voice, incredible chops and warm heart, Jackie Ryan has released her best album to date, with wonderfully eclectic selections and stellar musicians including Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Alexander and Jeremy Pelt! Definitely one of the best jazz vocal albums of 2009!

Two New Releases from Marshmallow Records

Doug Raney Trio / Blues, Ballads, Bebop And A Blue Girl
American guitarist (and son of Jimmy Raney) Doug Raney's latest release from Marshmallow Records is a brilliant trio album with veteran bassist Jesper Lundgaard and young, talented drummer Morten Lund. Intimate and brilliant!

Olivier Antunes / Live In Japan
Danish pianist Olivier Antunes' third release is an exciting live album. His trio with bassist Jesper Bodilsen and Morten Lund is sophisticated, dynamic and imaginative. Recommended to those who treasure genuinely swinging modern jazz!

Two New Releases from Venus Records

Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra / Bolero Nights [HQCD]
Swing Journal Gold Disc! New York's top trumpeter Brian Lynch's first Latin jazz project for Venus is a seductive collection of boleros. An exemplary combination of authentic Afro Cuban rhythms and vigorous jazz improvisations! Alto legend Phil Woods appears on three tracks as a guest soloist.

Eddie Higgins Trio / Portraits Of Love [HQCD]
The first-ever album by the prolific pianist that consists entirely of his own compositions! With the theme of love, the program takes the listener to many places in the world where Higgins has visited and was musically inspired. Even long-time fans of Higgis will be surprised by the quality and diversity of his compositions!

Other Notable New Releases

Brian Bromberg / Hands - Solo Acoustic Bass
Bass virtuoso Brian Bromberg's most ambitious project to date -- an entire album consisting of his solo acoustic bass performances! Technically astonishing and musically amazing, this CD is also a phenomenal demo disc for audiophiles!

Stewy von Wattenwyl / Live At Marians - Featuring Eric Alexander
This exciting and swinging live recording features the Swiss pianist's Generations Trio with veteran bassist Reggie Johnson and young drummer Kevin Chesham, in addition to the powerful guest Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone. Straight-ahead, neo-hard bop at its best!

Stockholm Jazz Trio / Jambangle
A very nice debut album by a swinging piano trio led by veteran pianist G&ouml;ran Strandberg who has performed extensively with Red Mitchell, Lee Konitz and Dexter Gordon. Authentic and swinging modern jazz interpretations of compositions by Gil Evans, Junior Mance, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Nice!

Harry Allen Quartet / For The King Of SwingTop tenorist of our time in the modern swing style, Harry Allen's latest is a tribute to Benny Goodman, celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth. Allen's new quartet features a very talented Italian pianist, Rossano Sportiello. A perfect CD for fans of swing jazz!

HQCD Jazz Reissue Series!
Classic Enja and Denon jazz albums now reissued on the superior-sounding HQCD format! HQCD (High Quality CD) is a new CD formulation developed by EMI Music Japan. The higher quality polycarbonate material developed for LCD panels and specially formulated amalgam -- instead of regular alumunum -- in its reflective layer improve the sound quality by reducing reading errors in playback. It is compatible with all regular CD players.

Tommy Flanagan / Eclypso [HQCD]
Flanagan's hit album from 1982 with a lot of Caribbean flavor; with George Mraz on bass and Elvin Jones on drums!

Tommy Flanagan / Ballads & Blues [HQCD]
Flanagan's duo album with George Mraz. Includes two bonus tracks available only on this Japanese edition! (Rec. 1978)

Tommy Flanagan / Giant Steps [HQCD]
Flanagan's tribute to John Coltrane, featuring George Mraz and Al Foster! (Rec. 1982)

Tommy Flanagan / Super-Session [HQCD]
Flanagan's inspired session with Red Mitchell and Elvin Jones! (Rec. 1980)

Junior Mance Trio / Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Soulful and earthy piano trio album by Junior Mance, Jimmy Woode and Bobby Durham! (Rec. 1994)

Tete Montoliu / Body And Soul
Spanish pianist's awe-inspiring live album from 1971. With George Mratz and Joe Nay!

Carmen McRae / Any Old Time [HQCD]
Swing Journal 1986 Jazz Disc Award Best Jazz Vocal Album! McRae's timeless vocal album with Clifford Jordan, Eric Gunnison and John Collins!

Other Notable Reissues

Various Artists / Jazz In Sweden 1949-1961 Metronome The Legendary Years [9CD Box Set]
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legendary Swidesh Metronome label, this Japan-only, limited-edition box set presents 160 tracks on nine CDs, all recorded between 1949 and 1961. They feature great Swedish musicians such as Lars Gullin, Arne Domnerus and Ake Persson as well as visiting American stars including Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan, Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Zoot Sims, James Moody, Ernestine Anderson and many, many others. An extraordinary collector's item!

Elvin Jones / Complete Live At The Lighthouse [2CD]
Recorded on Elvin Jones' 45th birthday (September 9, 1972), this legendary live recording captured the fiery, exciting and adventurous music he was creating with young saxophone players Dave Liebman and Steve Grossman. Impeccably supported by bassist Gene Perla in a wide-open piano-less setting, they take soaring solo flights that are inspired and stimulating. This complete, limited edition includes bonus tracks not included in the original double-LP album.

Coming soon...

• European reissue and Original Jazz Classics vinyl LPs: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis, Chet Baker!
• Audiophile jazz LPs from Analogue Productions, Groove Note, Pure Pleasure Records and Speakers Corner!
• A limited, audiophile edition: John Coltrane's Giant Steps in 45 RPM, 2-LP box set! Only 2500 sets available worldwide!
• Rare reissue vinyl from Japan: Franco Cerri and Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair!
• A very special, brand-new vinyl release: Norwegian bassist Terje Gewelt's trio recording with Enrico Pieranunzi, and Spanish pianist Ignasi Terraza!
• Ten new vinyl releases from Venus Records!

Happy listening to you all!

[golfugh]

Hajime
None of you links work on the last post.

[Hajime Sato]

golfugh,

The links are fixed now. Thank you for letting me know!

Hajime

[Hajime Sato]

Vinyl LP New Arrivals

Eastwind Import is expanding its vinyl inventory! We use our taste to cherry-pick the best of newly released jazz LPs for our customers: Essential reissues and notable new recordings that should be part of a collection of many jazz fans and vinyl lovers. They are all brand-new, factory-sealed, unplayed records unless specified otherwise.

Brand-new Recording!
10 New Titles from Venus Records: Limited edition, audiophile 200g pressing!

Nicki Parrott / Fly Me To The Moon (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Australian-born bassist/singer's charming and sultry new album is now available on vinyl! With John di Martino, Lisa Parrott, Harry Allen and Billy Drummond. (Rec. 2008)

Bill Charlap New York Trio & Ken Peplowski / Stardust (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! One of the best piano trios today -- Bill Charlap, Jay Leonhart and Bill Stewart -- meets Ken Peplowski, one of the best clarinet & tenor saxophone players of our time! An instant classic! (Rec. 2008)

Eddie Higgins Trio / Portraits Of Love (200g LP)
The prolific pianist's latest Venus release is a collection of his own charming compositions, inspired by many places he has visited over the years. An elegant and swinging musical journey that takes you to Kyoto, Torino, Cuba, Paris, Seoul and Chicago! (Rec. 2008)

Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra / Bolero Nights (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! New York's top trumpeter Brian Lynch's nine-piece Afro Cuban band blends the authentic Latin rhythms and vigorous jazz improvisations! With special guest Phil Woods. (Rec. 2008)

Eric Alexander Quartet / Lazy Afternoon - Gentle Ballads IV (200g LP)
The fourth installment of the tenor saxophonist's "Gentle Ballads" series shows the maturity and progress as an artist. You will find in this collection of beautiful ballads not cheap sentimentality, but quiet intensity and inspired improvisations. (Rec. 2008)

Eddie Higgins Solo Piano / Standards By Request 2nd Day (200g LP)
Swing Journal Gold Disc! Now available on vinyl, the second part of Eddie Higgins' solo piano project, performing standards requested by Japanese fans. Beautiful touch, elegant swing and melodious improvisations! (Rec. 2008)

Gianni Basso & Renato Sellani / Body And Soul (200g LP)
A sublime duo session by two legendary Italian maestros: tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso and pianist Renato Sellani! A collection of gorgeously played standards and ballads. (Rec. 2008)

Derek Smith Trio / Beautiful Love (200g LP)
Admired by fellow musicians and ardent fans, underexposed veteran pianist Derek Smith made a fabulous debut from venus. A fantastic trio album with Peter Washington and Joe Ascione! (Rec. 2008)

Roma Trio / The Four Seasons Vol. 2 (200g LP)
The second volume of a surprising concept album -- the "jazzification" of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons -- by Roma Trio (Luca Mannutza on piano, Gianluca renzi on bass and Nicola Angelucci on drums). Modern and creative! (Rec. 2008)

Renato Sellani Trio / O Sole Mio (200g LP)
Winner of Swing Journal 2008 Jazz Disc Best Production Award! Legendary Italian pianist Renato Sellani recorded this powerful album at age 80 with his regular trio. This collection of Italian melodies and originals are full of knock-out performances! (Rec. 2007)

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