United Future Organization - Jazzin', Zero Corporation, 1992

When 3 DJs, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura, and Raphael Sebbag, began regular club night playing Jazz, funk, Latin, and Bossa nova in 1990, when everyone else was playing house music, maybe no one had thought of this was going to create a new genre of music. 2 years later, the trio also known as United Future Organization released Jazzin', the same title of their regular club night. At that time, there were many similar-minded DJs and artists taking Jazz to the next level and sending clear message to the communities where various styles of music intersect and come together. They still may had been a minority in dance music community, but, one thing for sure, they have become the Loud Minority.

Link

Tracklist:

1. Nemurenai-Insomnie
2. Moondance-Moon Rappin'
Featuring - Claudia E.H.
3. Moondance-Moon Chant
Featuring - Abigail Grimsel
4. I Love My Baby-My Baby Loves Jazz
5. I Love My Baby-My Baby Loves Jazz (Cook & Slater Remix)
Remix - Ashley Slater , Norman Cook
6. Loud Minority (Radio Mix)
7. Dig That Beat
8. Nemurenai-Insomnie (Instrumental)

United Future Organization - V, Exceptional Records, 2002

The 5th and last album from United Future Organization as a trio. In 2002, Toshio Matsuura sadly left to pursue solo career. Once again, the album was released by Cutting-Edge in Japan, and Exceptional Records in Europe. Great league of artists assembled to create simply beautiful Jazz, compared to their earlier releases, not much use of samples, breaks or electronic beats, but rather more live instruments, noticeably the acoustic elements are widely heard throughout the album. Though, they still manage to experiment with the fusion of electronica, Jazz and other eclectic styles of music to showcase their creative forces and, at the end, please our ears with surprises.

Tracklist:
1. Intro (0:54)

2. Esperanza (7:17)
Acoustic Guitar - Naohiko Higuchi
Written By - Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

3. Everyday Routine (7:22)
Written By - Mitsukuni Murayama, Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

4. No Problem (7:37)
Acoustic Bass, Bass [Piccolo] - Isao Suzuki
Percussion - Kosmas Kapitza
Piano - Robert Fonseca
Vocals, Lyrics By - Mark Murphy
Written By - Duke Jordan

5. Microcosmo (4:23)
Written By - Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

6. World Thing (8:01)
Acoustic Bass - Neville Malcolm
Soprano Sax - Nathan Haines
Vocals - Valerie Etienne
Written By - Eric Hochberg, Rick Lazar

7. Lunar Enfant (7:20)
Written By - Mitsukuni Murayama, Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

8. Por Do Sol (5:57)
Acoustic Guitar - Alex Malheiros
Vocals - Sabrina Malheiros
Written By - Mikio Endo, Mitsukuni Murayama, Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

9. Listen Love (8:49)
Piano - Yosuke Yamashita
Vocals - Jeffery Smith
Written By - Jon Lucien

10. Transworld (6:24)
Written By - Mitsukuni Murayama, Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

11. Suite Espagnole (7:30)
Written-By - Mitsukuni Murayama, Raphael Sebbag, Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura

UFO on Exceptional Records

United Future Organization - Bon Voyage, Mercury, 1999

United Future Organization trio is back with yet another blend of Jazz and electronica in elegant style. This album brings their further diverse influences of various sounds, from Cuban, flamenco, funk, and vocal Jazz. Yet, the trio manages to keep tight control over the eclectic sounds, and creates Jazzy groove atmosphere to any Jazz crowd or dance floor Jazz dancers. Highly recommended.

Link coming soon

Tracklist:
1. Good Luck Shore (5:30)
Music By - Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura

2. Tres Amigos (6:00)
Arranged By [Trombone & Horns] - Hideaki Nakaji
Guitar [Tres] - Yuzo Suenaga
Music By - Endo, Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Piano - Yasuyuki Maejima
Tenor Sax - Toshimichi Imao
Trumpet - Tatsuya Shimogami

3. Flying Saucer (4:42)
Lyrics By [Words], Music By - James Moody
Alto Sax - Koi-Kumiko
Tenor Sax - Toshiya Mitsuhashi
Vocals - Dee Dee Bridgewater
Whistle - Toshio Matsuura

4. Happy Birthday (4:45)
Arranged By [Piano & Strings] - Mikio Endo
Bandoneon [Bandneon] - Koji Kyotani
Lyrics By [Words] - Kuzuu, Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Music By - Endo, Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Viola - Satoko Nakamura, Yuji Yamada
Vocals - Jimmy Murakawa
Voice ["smile & Shout!"] - Chinatsu, Hideyo, Endo, Sebbag, Shizu, Yabe , Matsuura

5. Niji (6:40)
Harp [Gravikord] - YasKaz
Lyrics By [Words], Music By - Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Vocals - Masayuki Yui

6. Pilgrims (6:44)
Music By - Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura

7. Dans Ce Desert (5:09)
Acoustic Guitar - Hiroyuki Komagata
Electric Piano [Rhodes] - Mikio Endo
Lyrics By [Words] - Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Music By - Endo* , Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Vocals, Chorus - Raphael Sebbag

8. Somewhere (7:01)
Chorus - Chinatsu Kuzuu
Music By - Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Rap - Marco Bosco
Trumpet - Toshinori Kondo

9. Labyrinth - Enter At Own Risk (5:12)
Electric Piano [Rhodes] - Mikio Endo
Music By - Endo, Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura
Sitar [Electric Sitar] - Hiroyuki Komagata

United Future Organization - 3rd Perspective, Talkin Loud, 1996

Third installment of United Future Organization's full release talkes 70s spy / thriller theme soundtrack-esque styles of Jazz. Accomplished with sleek rhythm and soulful melody, the album brings much soothing and poetic atmosphere, to its signature groovy and funky horns and arrangements. Once again, the album is released and distributed from multiple labels worldwide.

Link in comment

Tracklist:
1. His Name Is... (5:08)
Percussion - Toshio Matsuura
Piano - Mikio Endo

2. The Planet Plan (4:26)
Horns - Chris Caldwell, Dan Anthony, Dean Foley, Jan Scott, Joseph De Jesus, Kiarow O'Neill , P. Jayasinha, Peter Whyman, Richard Exall, Robert Killips, Steve Dawson, Steve Hanillor
Piano, Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey] - Mikio Endo
Strings - Abigail Trundle, C. Goldscheider, D. Schlenther, Eleanor Gilchrist, Geralding Bereen, L. Wynne, Lucy Yendole, Nicola Godscheider, Rache Davies, Richard Bridgmont, Susan Bowran, Teresa Whipple
Voice [Voice Percussion] - OBI-1, Sebbag, Yabe, Matsuura

3. Friends... We'll Be (4:49)
Vocals - Chezere'
Bass - Yoshio Kanamori
Harpsichord - Simon Hale
Tenor Sax - Kazuhiro Takeda
Trombone - Gakutaro Miyauchi
Trumpet - Hideaki Nishioka, Osamu Ueichi

4. Spy's Spice (Mon Espionne) (4:51)
Vocals - Raphael Sebbag
Bass - Yoshio Kanamori
Tenor Sax - Kazuhiro Takeda
Trombone - Gakutaro Miyauchi
Trumpet - Hideaki Nishioka, Osamu Ueishi

5. Fool's Paradise (4:55)

6. Waltz (Le Serpent Rouge) (4:29)
Vocals - Arthur H
Accordion - Geraint Watkins
Drums - Hideo Yamaki
Bariton Sax - Masaki "Bob" Saito

7. Picaresque Eye (5:42)
Vocals - Skip McDonald

8. Nica's Dream (4:11)
Bass Clarinet - Makoto Hirahara
Drums - Hideo Yamaki
Guitar - Hiroyuki Komagata
Piano, Organ [Hammond B3] - Mikio Endo
Soprano Sax - Masato Nakamura

9. Cosmic Gypsy (4:07)

10. Dice For A Change (4:44)
Vocals - Raphael Sebbag

11. The Moving Shadows (5:01)
Piano - Mikio Endo
Voice [Humming] - Gunilla Karlson, Sherry Sugata, Toshio Matsuura

UFO 3rd Perspective on Verve Records Official Site with Audio Sample

United Future Organization - No Sound Is Too Taboo, Talkin Loud, 1994

Another masterpiece from Japan's ever-finest and influential Jazz DJ trip United Future Organization (UFO). It was more than 15 years ago, but still sounds fresh. This record was released and distributed under Brownswood Records, UFO's label in Japan, Talkin' Loud, Gilles Peterson's own label and sub label of Mercury UK, and Verve Records in US. The notable Jazzdance tune has become the standard floor killer.

Link in comment


Tracklist:
1. United Future Airlines (4:48)
Percussion - Simon Richmond

2. Magic Wand Of Love (6:22)
Bass - Noriyoshi Sasanuma
Guitar - Gemi Taylor
Piano - Jessica Lauren
Vocals - Linda Muriel
Written-By - Earl DeRouen

3. Stolen Moments (5:21)
Arranged By [Choir] - Haruya Yoshimura
Choir - Time Five
Vibraphone - Mike Emenau
Violin - Yae Nishikawa
Voice - Raphael Sebbag
Written-By - Oliver Nelson

4. Future Light (5:58)
Backing Vocals - Gill Manly
Scratches - Mikiko Sakai
Written-By - Mark Murphy

5. Make It Better (5:33)
Bass - Shinichi Osawa
Guitar - Hiroyuki Komagata
Written-By - Dominguinhos Anastacia
Written-By, Vocals - Cleveland Watkiss

6. Sunday Folk Tale (6:17)
Percussions - Snowboy
Written-By, Vocals - Francis Silva

7. Mistress Of Dance (4:25)
Arranged By [Strings] - Hiroyuki Komagata
Saxophone [Soprano] - Steve Williamson
Strings - Nishikawa Quartet

8. Bar-F-Out! (5:00)
Scratches - DJ Krush
Vocals - Urban Poets Society
Written-By - D'Afro , In.Dee.Go , KeFreak

9. Doopsylalolic (4:38)
Written-By, Vocals - Derek Delves

10.Tears Of Gratitude (5:35)
Arranged By [Choir], Written-by - Ayumi Obinata
Choir - Talin Chamber Choir
Piano - Junichi Iwabuchi

UFO on Verve Records with Audio Samples

United Future Airlines

Erik Truffaz - Paris, Blue Note 2008

The final destination of musical journey by Erik Truffaz comes to Paris, with collaboration with French human beatbox Sly Johnson

Peronnel:
Erik Truffaz - Trumpet, vocals on "The fly"
Sly Johnson - Vocals

Link in comment

Tracklist:
1. Mr Wyatt (Erik Truffaz) 5:07
2. Come together (John Lennon/Paul Mc Cartney) 2:57
3. Addis Addeba (Erik Truffaz) 4:42
4. Nature boy (Eden Ahbez) arrangement Jon Hassell 3:00
5. Nina's dream (Erik Truffaz, Sly Johnson) 3:56
6. La mouche (Erik Truffaz, Sly Johnson) 3:13
7. Goodbye tomorrow (Sly Johnson) 2:52
8. Don't stop (Brian Ferry) 3:29
9. The fly (Erik Truffaz, Sly Johnson) 6:29


Audio sample right here from Erik Truffaz Official Site

Erik Truffaz - Benares, Blue Note 2008

Erik Truffaz is one of the most exciting Jazz trumpet players at our time, and my personal favorite since his early days with his challenge to push his playing beyond the boundary of conventional Jazz. This album explores polyrhythmic backing with repetitive and percussive piano and vocals fusing with Truffaz's echo and fuzzy trumpet style.

Personnel:
Erik Truffaz - Trumpet
Indrani Mukherjee - Vocals
Apurba Mukherjee - Tablas
Malcolm Braff - Piano

Link in comment

Tracklist:
1. Tarana (Indrani Mukherjee/Apurba Mukherjee) 18:24
2. Saraswati (Erik Truffaz/Indrani Mukherjee) 5:50
3. Yay ! (Malcolm Braff) 6:32

Audio Sample right here from Erik Truffaz Official Site

Erik Truffaz - Mexico, Blue Note 2008

The collaborative project of post-bop experimental Jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz and Mexican electronica and IDM artist Fernando Conaro akak Murcof.

Personnel:
Erik Truffaz - Trumpet, Vocals
Murcof - Noises

Link in comment

Tracklist:
1. Al Mediodia (7:31)
2. Good News From The Desert (11:06)
3. Avant L'Aube (8:36)

Audio sample right here from Erik Truffaz Official Site

Erik Truffaz Official Site
Erik Truffaz on Myspace
Erik Truffaz on Blue Note Records
Murcof Official Site
Murcof on Myspace

Miles From India, Times Square, 2008

A great Miles Davis project produced and coordinated by Sony Record producer Bob Belden, who is responsible for series of Miles Davis reissues box set. The project combines Davis' music from late 60s - early 70 era (during Bitches Brew and On the Corner) with Indian instrumentation and arrangement, with many notable Miles-school alumni. Listening to album like this, this is why Jazz exists and we love it so much.


Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. Spanish Key (20:04)
(MILES DAVIS)
Gino Banks - Drums
Louiz Banks - Piano/fender rhodes
Rakesh Chaurasia - Flute (solo)
Selva Ganesh - Kanjira
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Dave Liebman - Indian flute
Shankar Mahadevan - Vocals
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Alto sax
Sridhar Parthasarthy - Mridangam
Taufiq Quresh - Djembe/world percussion
Benny Rietveld - Bass
Wallace Roney - Trumpet
Mike Stern - Guitar
Lenny White - Drums

2. All Blues (09:22)
(MILES DAVIS)
Louiz Banks - Piano
Gary Bartz - Alto sax
Ron Carter - Bass
Ravi Chary - Sitar
Jimmy Cobb - Drums
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Alto sax
Vikku Vinayakram - Ghatam

3. Ife (fast) (08:44)
(MILES DAVIS)
Gino Banks - Drums
Pete Cosey - Guitar
Michael Henderson - Bass
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Dave Liebman - Flute
Kala Ramnath - Violin
A. Sivamani - Percussion
Vikku Vinayakram - Ghatam

4. In A Silent Way (intro) (02:34)
(JOE ZAWINUL)
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Robert Irving III - Keyboards
Pandit Brij Narain - Sarod

5. It's About That Time (10:12)
(MILES DAVIS)
Gary Bartz - Alto sax
Ndugu Chancler - Drums
Pete Cosey - Guitar
Michael Henderson - Bass
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Robert Irving III - B3 organ
Kala Ramnath - Violin

6. Jean Pierre (11:05)
(MILES DAVIS)
Ranjit Barot - Drums
Rakesh Chaurasia - Flute
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Robert Irving III - Keyboards
Benny Rietveld - Bass
Mike Stern - Guitar
Vince Wilburn Jr. - Drums

Disc 2
1. So What (08:16)
(MILES DAVIS)
Louiz Banks - Keyboards
Ron Carter - Bass
Ndugu Chancler - Drums
Chick Corea - Piano
Selva Ganesh - Khanjira /voice percussion
Sridhar Parthasarthy - Mridangam/voice percussion
Taufiq Qureshi - World percussion/voice percussion

2. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down (09:05)
(MILES DAVIS)
Pete Cosey - Guitar
Michael Henderson - Bass
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Wallace Roney - Trumpet
A. Sivamani - Percussion
Vikku Vinayakram - Ghatam
Lenny White - Drums

3. Blue In Green (13:13)
(MILES DAVIS)
Louiz Banks - Piano
Ron Carter - Bass
Jimmy Cobb - Drums
Dilshad Khan - Sarangi
Shankar Mahadevan - Vocals
Wallace Roney - Trumpet
Mike Stern - Guitar

4. Great Expectations (08:39)
(MILES DAVIS/JOE ZAWINUL)
Ravi Chary - Sitar
Pete Cosey - Guitar
Michael Henderson - Bass
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Marcus Miller - Bass clarinet
Taufiq Qureshi - Percussion
Wallace Roney - Trumpet
Vince Wilburn - Drums
Vikku Vinayakram - Ghatam

5. Ife (slow) (14:22)
(MILES DAVIS)
Gary Bartz - Soprano sax
Pete Cosey - Guitar
Michael Henderson - Bass
Adam Holzman - Keyboards
Dave Liebman - Tenor sax
Wallace Roney - Trumpet
Badal Roy - Tabla

6. Miles From India (07:06)
(JOHN MCLAUGHLIN)
Louiz Banks - Piano
Sikkil Gurucharan - Vocals
John McLaughlin - Guitar
U. Shrinivas - Mandolin

Miles From India Official Site

United Future Organization - United Future Organization, Talkin' Loud, 1993

A club Jazz classic from legendary United Future Organization. The true pioneers, a trio of DJs Tadashi Yabe, Toshio Matsuura, and Raphael Sebbag started off and built the foundation for today's club Jazz culture, their style, their cloth, their DJing, and their club nights. Everything from Jazz, latin, hip-hop, soul, vocal Jazz, modal Jazz, hard-bop, and electronica mashed up into the album freely and timelessly. Even listening it now, it still sounds fresh and vibrant, a brilliant mix of groovy and funky journey of the sound of Jazz. A Jazz records that could enlighten your listening entertainment.

Tracklist:
1. The Sixth Sense (7:06)
Vocals - Galliano
Written By - N. C. Weir , R. Gallagher
2. On Est Ensemble Sans Se Parler-L.O.V.E. (5:01)
Written-By - Ariel Wizman
3. Vinyl Junkie (5:39)
Drums - Tatsuyuki Aoki
Guitar - Hajime Tachibana
Trumpet - Kimiyoshi Nagoya
4. Upa Neguinho (4:22)
Drums - Genta
Guitar - Hiroyuki Komagata
Trumpet - Kimiyoshi Nagoya
Written-By - Edu Lobo , Gianfrancesco Guarnieri
5. I'll Bet You Thought I'd Never Find You (7:50)
Flute - Sanshiro
Guitar - Hiroyuki Komagata
Violin - Alex Gray
Vocals, Written-By - Jon Hendricks
Written-By - Les McCann
6. Poetry And All That Jazz (5:36)
Flute - Sanshiro
Violin - Banchi
Written-By - Jack Kerouac
7. Be Here Now (3:02)
8. My Foolish Dream (6:01)
Accordion - Patrick Nugier
Vocals, Written-By - Monday Michiru
9. Off Road (2:51)
Vibraphone - Takashi Ohi

United Future Organization Official Site

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Hajime Yoshizawa - Innocent Nocturne, Village Again, 2008

This is another release from Japanese Jazz pianist and Sleep Walker keyboardist Hajime Yoshizawa in 2008 from Village Again. The excellent piano trio album acoompanied with drummer Peter Erskine (former member of Weather Report and uncle of Yoshizawa) and bassist late Dave Carpenter, with much straighter modal Jazz with Yoshizawa's wonderful lyrical keys. The album is currently only available officially in Japan, but can be purchased as import.

There is an excellent post on the album at nutriot.com with audio sample.
Hajime Yoshizawa - Inocent Nocturne [source: nutriot.com]

Tracklist:
1. Song To Remember
2. May
3. Jerkyll & Hyde
4. Eastern Step
5. Siesta
6. Thursday
7. Cat Chat Poh
8. Summer Backyard
9. Shukaku No Toki

Link in comment

Hajime Yoshizawa Official Site
Hajime Yoshizawa on Myspace
Hajime Yoshizawa on Extra Freedom Artist Bio (Sorry, Japanese only)

Jimmy Smith - Livin' Up, Verve 1968

Jimmy Smith proved that he is not just organ Jazz musician, but was able to bring R & B soulful groove to his music. If he were simply plaing mainstream hard bop, then the sound of organ itself would not be recognized and appreciated by many other artists to follow his footsteps, especially for fusion of R & B, blues, and gospel influences. With driving soloing on his right, ubiquitous chodal accompaniment on his left hand, and flowing rhythmic bass line on his feet, Smith could fill every available keys from low to high note in various styles of music.

This is Jimmy Smith's 1968 release "Livin' Up" from Verve Records. During this time at Verve, he had collaborated with arranger and conductor Oliver Nelson leading big band to provide tightly arranged horn sections and soft string orchestration. The album opens with great cover of Mission Impossible Theme, as well as funk original "Big Boss Man", and "Burning Spears", composed by Richard Evans for Soulful Strings. Highly recommended.

Tracklist:
Side 1
A1. Mission Impossible (3:32)
A2. Refractions (4:48)
A3. The Gentle Rain (2:35)
A4. Burning Spear (3:53)
A5. Go Away Little Girl (2:43)

Side 2
B1. Livin' It Up (5:00)
B2. This Nearly Was Mine (3:15)
B3. Big Boss Man (6:14)
B4. Valley Of The Dolls (4:48)

Wax Poetic # 33 February/March Issue

This is a bit different from usual reviews, but for magazines that I constantly read. Wax Poetic vol. 33 is out now, and it is Philly special with Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass on the front and back covers (big hello to my friend Greg). Other features include with pieces on Sonny Hopson, Howard Tate, The Stylistics, the Philly jazz circuit, First Choice, ?uestlove, The Pop Art label, Odeon Pope, Jneiro Jarel and others -- plus a memorium tribute to Freddie Hubbard. Highly recommended.

Gamble & Huff on Philadelphia International Records
Rock & Roll Fall Of Fame: Gamble & Huff

Teddy Pendergrass Official Site