宮川純

Circles is a 2021 album from the Kunpei Nakabayashi Orchestra, a ten-member big band led by the group’s namesake leader and bassist. The CD has eight songs and runs for about forty-seven minutes, while the streaming version of the album includes six of the songs. This is Nakabayashi’s third release and the first with his orchestra. It’s an exciting big band sound where the instrumental arrangements are a natural forefront highlight of Nakabayashi’s music written for alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, flute (x2), baritone saxophone, trumpet (x2), trombone (x2), piano, bass, and drums. All of the players are well-known, hard-working musicians working in and outside Japan in various forms. Special mention is made for trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, the most famous name in this group who is known for major label releases, international jazz festival activity, and collaborations with international musicians in jazz, fusion, and other genres. ...

Jazz, soul, and funk bassist Yoshihito “P” Koizumi is an active member of a number of Japanese jazz groups and events, and the 2011 album By Coincidence marks his debut release as “P-Project” featuring Jun Miyakawa on keyboards and Kohzo Komori on drums. With nine tracks and a running time of 34 minutes, the album is full of funky beats, laid-back grooves, retroesque electronic keyboards, and slick bass lines. Inspiring an easy-go-lucky party mood, the short songs are all of a piece, several even with unassuming titles such as “Sound Check”, “Track”, “Jam 1”, “Jam 2”, and “Jam 3”. It’s easy to put on the album, kick back, and let the music flow and invigorate the mood without any worries. ...