Evolution Sounds
Shintaro Quartet - Evolution [NS-1002/BBE649ALP UK/JPN 2021 24-Bit FLAC] Before anybody else thinks that I am getting a little too japanophile , I will sneak this one in. Courtesy of UK label BBE (Bearly Breaking Even) J-Jazz Masterclass Series, comes this repress of the 1984 album by Japanese/America ensemble, Shintaro Quartet. This edition comes as a smartly packaged double 45rpm edition producing top audio quality ...and has likely already sold out everywhere by the time you read this. The original Japanese-only release was a private pressing which now fetches mucho $$$ on the secondhand market. The quartet is led by renowned Japanese trumpet, Shunzo Ohno backed up by Fukushi Tainaka on drums, Bob Kenmotsu on sax and Jeff Jenkins on piano. The album was recorded over two sessions straight to tape in New York in January 1984, gracefully blending modal & spiritual jazz in lush arrangements across the five compositions. I can think of nothing better for ...