Blue Note: The Enduring Star of Jazz

Various Artists / Sunday Blue (Blue Note / EMI MUSIC JAPAN)

Founded in New York in 1939, Blue Note is one of the most important record labels in jazz history.
I feel I've learned the profound value of creating music with conviction—through its visionary approach to music and its distinctive cover art—from the many works I've encountered. Early this year, I was asked to create a compilation for a younger generation interested in jazz, using the extensive catalog of this legendary label, but with a fresh perspective.
From its vast catalog, the question arose: "What approach would resonate with the current mood while still expressing my own identity?" The creation of this CD began with the search for an answer to that question.

Then, in spring, while walking through a suburban neighborhood during a DJ visit to London, a chance encounter with a particular scene set everything in motion.
In a park with wide green lawns, families relaxed, couples shared intimate moments, and young people played football with friends—people enjoying their holiday afternoon in their own way. It was a scene that evoked a sense of "small happiness" found anywhere. As I observed it, a feeling began to fill me.
Jazz music with a soul and folk sensibility.

Upon returning to Japan, while selecting tracks, I reached out to Ali Augur, a London-based artist whose artwork I'd long admired for its deep connection to music (http://www.aliaugur.com). To my delight, he readily agreed, and from there, the project rapidly gained momentum.

I revisited nearly every Blue Note record I owned, reaffirming the label's brilliance. It was a rare pleasure to truly immerse myself in listening to music again after so long.

Through this process, I discovered the sounds that perfectly matched that spring scene. Arranging them in sequence, this album came to life. Ali's artwork complements the music beautifully, resulting in a work I'm truly proud of.
I don't often actively recommend my own work, but this CD is a personal favorite, and I sincerely hope you'll give it a listen.
Thank you for your consideration.


Blue Note the label established in 1939 in NY is indeed most important record label on Jazz history.
They had foresight, good taste in design of cover arts, they always kept the "faith" to create music and I think I learned how great that is by listening and touching to this label's music.

It was the beginning of this year when I was asked to make a new compilation especially targeted to much younger generation who are interested in Jazz.

Then I started to work on it but before choosing a track from such massive amount of music first needed to ask myself "what kind of approach should I make to fit the atmosphere of NOW and also show what kind of person that I am".

Then in spring when I played in London, I met this scene in a residential street in a suburb,and everything started to move in the right direction. I saw a park with green grass, where a parent and child relax, where a couple talk about love, where kids playing football, people who enjoy their day off in their own way.

It's a scenery that can be found anywhere and fill your heart with "some happiness".
While I look at it Soul, Folk inspired Jazz music filled in my body.

I got back to Tokyo started to choose the tracks. I asked Ali Augur the artist in London (http://www.aliaugur.com ) to create the cover art and he kindly said "Yes".
Things took up from here. It was a pleasure for me to listen to all the BLUE NOTE records that I have and again feeling the happiness of "listening" the music fully from your heart.

By doing that I met the sounds I think it will fit to that scenary, and finally by making the track listings this album was ready.
Ali's artwork also fit to the music very well.
It's rare for me to recommend what I created but this CD is one of the best for me so I hope you will have a listen.

Label
http://www.emimusic.jp/jazz

Listen
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2601367