Nippon Columbia Japan 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: This reissue of the 1981 self-titled album from the cult Japanese duo Colored Music is now made available on vinyl for the first time since its original release. This groundbreaking mix of cosmic new wave, avant-garde synth-pop, experimental funk and unconventional disco is wonderfully unique and is reminiscent of David Bowie's Berlin Trilogy with a psychedelic Haruomi Hosono touch. Featuring celebrated musicians like Mansaku Kimura and Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami, Colored Music delivers an unparalleled, otherworldly soundscape that belies it ages.

Review: Originally released in 1969, Exciting Drums African Rock Party is the first album from Akira Ishikawa under his Count Buffalo alias. It's a wide-ranging affair which includes covers of contemporary standards such as 'You Keep Me Hanging On', 'Back In The U.S.S.R.' and 'Soul Limbo', all given a bold and brassy jazz revision by Ishikawa's band, which included Hiromasa Suzuki on piano, Masaoki Terakawa on bass and Takeru Muraoka on tenor sax. This is the first time it's been repressed since its release, so you can expect all Japanese jazz aficionados to be jumping on this one quickly.

Review: Hitomi Toyama's 'Sweet Soul Music' originally made it to wax last year, when the track appeared as part of a rare Japanese funk compilation curated by the sound's brightest stars, Wamono. Now, though, it gets a proper release on 7", and is backended by the sultry B-side 'Wanna Kiss', which sounds pitched up and chirpy in its shrill alto vocals, which assure us we're held. The A, meanwhile, is as horny (in both senses of the word) as ever, quite obviously singing the praises of "sweet soul music... I love you!"

Review: These unreleased recordings from 1970 are an absolute treasure for soul jazz aficionados. Serving as an essential companion to the originally released Vol.1/2 recordings, they offer a dreamlike experience that you never want to end. Fuzzed-out guitars intertwine with raunchy organs and powerful brass blasts, all guided by the steady pulse of the drums. Sony Japan has truly delivered with this release and offer it up with outstanding recording quality that captures every nuance and emotion of the music. It's a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw energy and creativity of this era so is a must-have addition to any music collection.

Review: The always busy Record Store Day 2024 release schedule has turned up another pearler here as Ann Young and Yuki Ohno Trio's 'Speak Low' gets a special reissue on 7" courtesy of Nippon Colombia. 'Speak Low' is a cut that showcases Young's expressive vocal style in all its glory as it implodes and explodes over 100-mile-an-hour double bass and light, airy triages, hi-hats and feathery drums. On the flip is another standout vocal jazz cut 'On Green Dolphin Street' that makes this an essential cop.