This compilation from BBE uncovers some of the most sought after and rare material from this period and pulls together key artists who shaped the post-war modern jazz scene in Japan. ‘J Jazz’ includes obscure and sought after rarities like the bass-driven power jazz of Koichi Matsukaze’s ‘Earth Mother’, the holy grail rarity of Aizawa Tohru Quartet’s ‘Dead Letter’ and the loping majesty of Takeo Moriyama’s ‘North Wind’. This collection takes the listener into deep spiritual jazz, post-modal impressionism and fierce dance-floor fusion with material from artists and composers whose names are generally only known to committed collectors of Japanese jazz. Fumio Karashima, Mitsuaki Katayama, Takeo Moriyama and Kiyoshi Sugimoto are among the names featured on an album aiming to shed a little light on the shadowy world of Japanese jazz clubs, tucked away in the neon backstreets. This music demands a wider audience and BBE are excited to deliver a landmark compilation, lifting the veil on this wonderful and mysterious area of the global jazz catalogue. Tracklist: Side A Koichi Matsukaze Trio – Earth Mother Takeo Moriyama Quartet with Shigeharu Mukai – North Wind* Side B Tohru Aizawa Quartet – Dead Letter Eiji Nakayama – Aya’s Samba Side C Takao Uematsu – White Fire George Otsuka Quintet – Sea Breeze* Side D Shintaro Quintet – A Blind Man Mitsuaki Katayama – Unknown Point Side E Fumio Karashima – Little Island Kiyoshi Sugimoto – Long Neal Side F Takeo Moriyama – Kaze Terumasa Hino Meets Reggie Workman – Ode to Workman* *These tracks are vinyl only, not on CD.