The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1
¥1,700 (TOCJ-7011)

When you hear Powell's "Un Poco Loco," rock fans become jazz fans within four minutes. This is no exaggeration, as it comes from experience (laughs). It's a song like a spell. Indeed, the percussive piano takes you to a new world, as if by magic.

Bud Powell
1924–1966. Born in New York. A genius who established the modern jazz piano style. With his transcendent technique and exceptional expressiveness, he overturned the concept of piano performance during the swing jazz era, establishing tense, introspective improvisations. Like Charlie Parker, who revolutionized modern jazz, he wields immense influence.

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1
¥1,100 (TOCJ-8510)

From Art Blakey's live masterpiece, a track that seems to capture the birth of hard bop. A notable point is that he introduced the brilliant trumpeter Clifford Brown to New York. You can hear how jazz musicians play their instruments in this supreme band.

Art Blakey
1919–1990. Born in Pittsburgh. The most powerful drummer in modern jazz. His drumming is characterized by a tenacious, earthy beat and the use of polyrhythms. His 1954 album "A Night at Birdland" was hailed as a historic masterpiece that heralded the dawn of hard bop.

Cool Struttin'
¥1,100 (TOCJ-8503)

This album, created by a band that existed only in the studio, became a massive hit, embodying the magic of Blue Note. This particular track became a huge hit, born from Japan's jazz kissa culture. If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of a jazz kissa at home, this is it!

Sonny Clark
1931–1963. Born in Harmony, Pennsylvania. He showed precocious talent from a young age, playing boogie-woogie piano by listening to the radio. After making a name for himself on the West Coast jazz scene, he moved to New York in 1957. He quickly signed with Blue Note and participated in numerous recordings as one of their flagship artists. He was more popular in Japan than in his native America, and "Cool Struttin'" is particularly beloved as an immortal masterpiece.

Moanin'
¥1,100 (TOCJ-8504)

This track turned modern jazz into world music. It was this song that carried modern jazz, and the name Blue Note, to the world. Back then, soba noodle delivery guys would whistle this while on their rounds (laughs). This song will show you what funky is.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Formed in 1955, they became a prestigious modern jazz band, leading the jazz scene for about 30 years. The Messengers produced numerous famous artists, including Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, and Wynton Marsalis. Their 1958 album "Moanin'" sparked a boom in funky jazz.

The Sidewinder
¥1,100 (TOCJ-8511)

A major hit in jazz-rock, released the same year The Beatles landed in America. This was jazz that, in a sense, competed with The Beatles, captivating early rock fans as well.

Lee Morgan
1938–1972. Born in Philadelphia. A trumpeter. He recorded his debut album "Indeed!" at the age of 18, earning him acclaim as a prodigy. In 1959, he joined Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. During his tenure, he was a central figure in the band's golden age, contributing to the worldwide hit album "Moanin'." He made his solo debut in 1963 with the smash hit "The Sidewinder," igniting a major boom in jazz-rock.

Maiden Voyage
¥1,100 (TOCJ-8505)

Appearing the year after "The Sidewinder," and from a similar period in jazz history, this is a fresh track representing another possibility for jazz. If "The Sidewinder" is danceable jazz, this represents a peak for jazz meant for listening.

Herbie Hancock
Born 1940 in Chicago. A pianist, keyboardist, and composer. A leading figure in jazz who has spearheaded the jazz scene since the 1960s. He constantly pushes the boundaries of jazz styles, including straight-ahead jazz, fusion, and jazz-funk. He is also the composer of many songs that have become jazz standards, including "Watermelon Man," "Cantaloupe Island," "Maiden Voyage," and "Dolphin Dance."

Alligator Boogaloo
¥1,835 (TOCJ-4263)

This is jazz for dancing. Although it's an instrumental, in Japan, members of Group Sounds covered it with lyrics. I myself initially thought it was an original Group Sounds song. It's an incredibly groovy and danceable track, and its評価 has grown in recent years.

Lou Donaldson
Born 1926 in Badin, North Carolina. A popular alto saxophonist known for hard bop and soul jazz. He was active from the early days of hard bop. His style gradually became more funky and soulful, making him a popular artist in soul jazz. His 1967 album "Alligator Boogaloo" was a major hit during his soul jazz period. His works from the soul jazz era regained popularity during the club jazz boom of the 1990s.

Black Byrd
¥999 (TOCJ-50504)

A major fusion hit. Fusion is a type of jazz that emerged in the 1970s, in a sense liberated towards soul and pop. This track was one of the pioneers of that movement.

Donald Byrd
1932–2013. Born in Detroit, Michigan. A trumpeter. In 1955, he joined George Wallington's band and made his New York debut. He subsequently played with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and others through the 1960s. He took a break from music to focus on teaching until the 70s, but made a comeback to the scene in '74 with the major hit "Black Byrd." Early in his career, he was a formidable rival to Clifford Brown.

Come Away With Me
¥2,548 (TOCJ-66001)

The naturalism of her debut album resonated with the world in the early 21st century, leading to a massive hit that garnered 8 Grammy Awards. As the theme song for the new Blue Note era, this track opened a new door for jazz.

Norah Jones
Born 1979 in New York. She grew up listening to her mother's record collection from a young age. She began her career as a professional singer in her teens. As the first artist signed to the Blue Note label under renowned producer Arif Mardin, she made her global debut in 2002 with the album "Come Away With Me." In 2003, she won 8 Grammy Awards, including the four major categories. The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

No Beginning No End
¥2,300 (TOCJ-71459)

I consider José James to be a new generation jazz singer for the club scene. He sings with a focus on groove rather than rhythm or melody. I believe he is a jazz musician who will lead the future. And he writes such wonderful songs. We are truly fortunate to have such a brilliant artist join us.

José James
Born 1978 in Minneapolis. A jazz singer. At age 14, he became engrossed in jazz after hearing Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" on the radio. He had a fateful encounter with Gilles Peterson at a jazz contest in London. Peterson declared him "a talent once in 15 years" and immediately decided to sign this young talent. His beautiful voice, said to have rewritten the history of vocal jazz, has been widely acclaimed worldwide, dominating jazz and club charts both domestically and internationally. He moved to the Blue Note label in 2012. In January 2013, he released his fourth album, "No Beginning No End."

Hitoshi Namekata
Record producer. Through Blue Note and its sister label Somethin' Else, he has released numerous works both in Japan and internationally. His edited and translated works include "21st Century Blue Note Book" (Jazz Critique Books), and "Blue Note Re-Introduction" and "Blue Note Records" (both Asahi Bunko). He is currently promoting a campaign titled "BLUE NOTE NOW 2013" in anticipation of next year's 75th anniversary. http://www.emimusic.jp/jazz/bluenotenow2013/