A1. Castle Cats
A2. Variation
B1. Suzu No Uta
B2. Alfie
B3. Passion
Genre Jazz
StyleFree Jazz, Contemporary, Japanese
FormatVINYL
Cat. noHMJY178
Label NIPPON COLUMBIA/LAWSON (JAPAN)
Artist HIROSHI SUZUKI / MASAHIKO TOGASHI QUINTET
Release Date02/12/2022
CarrierLP

'Monumental work that captures the transformation of Japanese jazz', Variation is a buzzing free jazz juggernaut that effortlessly bridges the gap between chaos and cool. First released in 1969, a year considered as the absolute pinnacle of free jazz in the nation (after which many artists also began to incorporate a national flair into their music), Masahiko Togashi was but one of a few composers to achieve widespread recognition for his craft at the time. This collab with Hiroshi Suzuki hears cuts like 'Suzu No Uta' blissfully enthrall with gossamer tuned percussion and trembling metal shakers, while ordered cacophonies like the closer 'Passion' describe the ups and downs of love through many a scalic decrescendo.

https://youtu.be/Nh6x7L3gYp4?si=M2onxV0kUbBZaYLL