The 49th installment of our cutting-edge compilation series.

From Shuya Okino, the sole music critic specializing in selections worldwide, and a leading figure in sound branding that transforms spaces through music, of KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE.Shuya OkinoThis is the 49th installment of his monthly compilation.

This time, we'd like to introduce a representative work by Bembe Segue, a London-based vocalist who represents the broken beats/club jazz scene and is one of the headliners for the TOKYO CROSSOVER/JAZZ FESTIVAL 2012, which is set to be held again this year. Titled "QUEEN OF SOUL"! By compiling her vocals, which have been featured by numerous big names, it has become a definitive best-of album for Bembe Segue.

Her presence, loved by many talented artists such as SLEEP WALKER, a pioneer of Japanese club jazz, the UK broken beats VIP 4HERO, the Japan-based multi-artist Mark de Clive-Lowe, the powerful Japanese hip-hop unit BREAKTHROUGH, the German crossover scene stalwart JAZZANOVA, and the Italian jazz dandy Nicola Conte, is perhaps both alluring and elegant. Bembe Segue, who not only captivates listeners but also elevates their spirits, is highly regarded as the finest club vocalist of our time. Please enjoy these exquisite masterpieces as we await her long-awaited performance in Japan, which was canceled immediately after the earthquake last year, followed by her miraculous recovery from a stroke. She is scheduled to visit Japan.