Deep J Jazz

Tachibana

Dead Letter

East Plants

Kaze

Earth Mother

Buy / Stream it here: https://orcd.co/planets

Since 2018, BBE Music has been leading the field in reissuing rare modern jazz from Japan’s golden period spanning the late 60s to the early 80s. The J Jazz Masterclass Series continues to present the finest in Japanese jazz with 'Planets' by Masaru Imada Trio + 1.

Originally released in 1977 as a private press album, 'Planets' showcases the refined playing and sophisticated compositions of one of Japan’s leading pianists, Masaru Imada. In a fifty- plus year career he has released over 40 albums, including several that have won awards from some of Japan’s leading music publications and has recorded with leading US jazz artists such as David Sanborn, Brecker Brothers, Steve Gadd, and Grover Washington Jr.

Imada’s Bosendorfer piano is joined by the drums of Tetsujiro Obara and the bass of Kunimitsu Inaba, augmented by Yuji Imamura on percussion. The opening title track on Planets (featured on J Jazz vol 3) is a wafer-thin modal waltz, beginning with gentle bells and shells, followed by Obara’s deft brush work and Inaba’s hypnotically pliant bass that gives a discrete yet steady support to the gossamer melody from Imada-san’s piano. The other standout track is the suite, Sea's Pasture, an epic piece that undulates and heaves, like the dark endless ocean, rich with mystery and each side of the album ends with a solo piece on the haunting Bosendorfer.

Planets comes with full reproduction of the original artwork with obi strip, extra photos, a translation of the original sleeve note and a 3000 word new sleeve note by Tony Higgins including an interview with Masaru Imada himself.

The J Jazz Masterclass Series is curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden for BBE Music.

Masaru Imada Trio + 1 - Planets

Artist: Glenn Astro
Title: THROWBACK
Cat.No. TARTALB005
Release date vinyl: May 2015
Release date digi: June 2015
Tartelet Records © 2015
DISTRIBUTED BY !K7

Essen's own Glenn Astro has called his first album Throwback, and the name is at once a perfect fit and not nearly the extent of the story. On the one hand, Astro has filled the double-LP with a wealth of old-school gestures and textures—the warm whoosh of analog synths, the rattle of Rhodes tines and the sizzle of jazzy drums, all held together by the comforting glue of tape hiss and vinyl crackle. If you're used to the clean sonic lines and stylistic streamlining of so much contemporary house music, then Throwback is sure to feel less like a record you just pulled out of plastic wrap than a well-seasoned one salvaged from a flea market or unfinished basement.

And yet like so many Tartelet releases—particularly the label's last two full-lengths, Max Graef's Rivers of the Red Planet and Uffe's Radio Days—it feels fresh and keenly contemporary no matter how vintage the fabric. Rather than throw back to any one moment, he's given us a collage of styles that's quite literally timeless. Astro makes brilliant work of his influences, drawing on hip-hop, house, funk and soul in such equal measure that it's hard to argue that one impulse dominates the other. The sound certainly flirts with the dance floor, with Astro applying high-pressure deep house pads on the title cut, gliding on shimmering keys for "One For Viktor," and taking us on a vibraphone-fueled workout with "Kilometer Disco," one of a pair of cuts featuring Max Graef. But Astro obviously relishes the time he spends on the sidelines absorbing the atmosphere, or at home head-nodding to the dustiest corners of his record collection. For every house beat you hear, you'll also dip into juicy, 90’s-style beat science, toasty ambience and buttery chord progressions. Expertly paced but never hustling you along, Throwback begs to be heard as a whole but explored at your own easy pace—a record for hazy mornings-after, vibey nights in and endless summer afternoons.


12. One For Viktor

n an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.

Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.

The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.

Marca Passo releases on limited edition blue, red & black vinyl LP editions, CD and digitally on the 6th June 2025, via Far Out Recordings, supported by European and North American tours.

Azymuth - Andaraí

Bradley Zero's swashbuckling efforts with Rhythm Section continue to induce pleasure across the office and beyond. His regular soirees at Canavans Pool Hall are typified by the type of loose, one-love community ethos that many club nights would starve for; red neon lit, set time-less and buoyed by an all-encompassing music policy. Naysayers need only check Edd Fisher this Saturday in Peckham. On top of that, the RS discography stockpile is quickly blossoming into a well-nurtured settling for talent; undeterred by genre or location, and instead driven by an unwavering feel good factor. There's already been woozy, drifting deep house from Melbourne's Prequel and the velvety hook up with Vancouver's Mood Hut rep Local Artist to digest. Just six releases in, and the air miles have definitely been totting up.

As the title suggests, RS007 resides a bit closer to home than previous entries. Good Morning Peckham is Henry Wu's (@wuesli) ode to his local area, built around his now recognised style of off-kilter, slacker house. "Dubplate Special" is a special lecture in groove; a marriage between succulent bass sways and radiant Rhodes piano that's oh so ripe for summer.

It's out on Monday July 27th and available to pre order here: http://bit.ly/RS007Bandcamp

Follow Henry Wu: 

www.twitter.com/akiwudon 

www.soundcloud.com/wuesli

www.facebook.com/wuesliwu

Pre-Order

Henry Wu “Dubplate Special” - Boiler Room Debuts

EGLO48

HENRY WU AND K15 = WU15 

THE ANTHEM


Shouts to K15 each and every.

WU15 - The Anthem (Gilles Peterson BBC Radio 6 Rip) EGLO 48

Tenderlonious - "Bobs Riddim" // Radio 1 Benji B 2016 - 01 - 14 (Radio Rip)

Just Negotiate feat. Simeon Jones (Kaidi Tatham Remix)

* Read More: http://boltingbits.com/delakeyz-our-roots/
* Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gGuh1ZjrpVc
* Pre-order: http://bit.ly/2v3Jg2k

Starting life off as a cassette label in 2012, @UKNOWYMusic has since expanded into the vinyl realm. Based in Munich, Germany, the imprint is also host to beat event nights in its hometown. The premise behind UKNOWY is simple. It's about following a passion. In this case it's a passion for music. Although they try to minimize boundaries concerning genres, they seem to have a penchant for hip hop style beats with a sprinkle of house music on top. Both genres, among others, are represented throughout the label's previous releases of which there are now close to twenty. Currently, they've only had two vinyl releases, both firmly rooted in house. One in 2015 from Peter Clamat and the second in 2016 from Nemoy, with the forthcoming release being their third pressed to wax. If keeping with the current pattern, it may very likely be their only vinyl release of 2017.

"Our Roots" EP is the third aforementioned 12" and it comes from Swiss producer @Delakeyz, who you may know better as his melodic, beat-producing alias @Melodiesinfonie. The three track release comes with two remixes as well. One from Manchester-based Contours and the other from Austrian Moony Me. Our premiere today is the A1 and original mix of the title track 'Our Roots'. Dropping an afro-latin percussion groove over a steady house rhythm, Delakeyz is clearly gunning for the dance floor. Adding moody chords and atmospheric strings, the producer can't stay away from his melodic roots as he keys in squelchy, jazzy sequences over top. The sultry vocals are the cherry on top of a track that has both a solid groove and seductive yet wistful air about it.

Our Roots

PREMIERE : Delakeyz - Our Roots

Order on vinyl / CD or digital formats: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/J-Jazz
In the years following World War Two, Japan developed one of the most insatiable, dynamic and diverse markets for jazz. For a crucial period of little over a decade – from the late 1960s to the early 1980s – Japanese jazz culture progressed at an astonishing rate, producing an extraordinary array of artists, recordings and record labels that created some of the most forward thinking and impressive jazz to be committed to tape. This amazing journey is explored on ‘J Jazz’.
This compilation from BBE uncovers some of the most sought after and rare material from this period and pulls together key artists who shaped the post-war modern jazz scene in Japan.

‘J Jazz’ includes obscure and sought after rarities like the bass-driven power jazz of Koichi Matsukaze’s ‘Earth Mother’, the holy grail rarity of Aizawa Tohru Quartet’s ‘Dead Letter’ and the loping majesty of Takeo Moriyama’s ‘North Wind’. This collection takes the listener into deep spiritual jazz, post-modal impressionism and fierce dance-floor fusion with material from artists and composers whose names are generally only known to committed collectors of Japanese jazz. Fumio Karashima, Mitsuaki Katayama, Takeo Moriyama and Kiyoshi Sugimoto are among the names featured on an album aiming to shed a little light on the shadowy world of Japanese jazz clubs, tucked away in the neon backstreets. This music demands a wider audience and BBE are excited to deliver a landmark compilation, lifting the veil on this wonderful and mysterious area of the global jazz catalogue.

None of the tracks featured on ‘J Jazz’ have ever received an official release outside Japan before. The albums the tracks are taken from are extremely hard to find and often fetch huge sums on the collector’s circuit. Originally pressed in small numbers on independent and private labels such as Union, Johnny’s Disk, Whynot, ALM and VAP, these tracks are now available for everyone to enjoy.

Compiled by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, both long-time collectors of Japanese jazz, ’J Jazz’ brings together the very best in modern jazz from Japan, recorded during a critical period of musical and cultural transition that saw composers and musicians not only assert a new artistic identity but also create a lasting musical legacy.

Eiji Nakayama – Aya’s Samba

Woozy jazz grooves from Leeds-based producer @comfybellamusic. Out on @releasedrecords.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2018/07/03/premiere-comfy-bella-konkahs/

Comfy Bella - Konkahs

Nuyorican Soul

Nuyorican Soul - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun (4Hero remix)

Evolution

A Blind Man

Selectors Assemble are back in 2021 with another dopetastic premiere, this time featuring the CoOp Presents artist Sivey and his remix for Nikitch & Kuna Maze – the track titled 46 RUE DU FORT was orginally released on Nikitch & Kuna Maze’s first collaborative album titled ‘Debuts’ (on Tru-Thoughts records). The release also includes a remix from Crafty 893 and will be aviable to buy on January 14th.

[PREMIERE] Nikitch & Kuna Maze - 46 Rue Du Fort (Sivey Remix)

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...

Masaru Imada Trio + 1 - Planets

BBE Music

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