Various - WaJazz: Japanese Jazz Spectacle Vol I

WaJazz: Japanese Jazz Spectacle Vol. I explores Japanese jazz from 1968 to 1984 through 14 recordings selected by Yusuke Ogawa of Tokyo's Universounds record shop. Drawing from the Nippon Columbia archives, the compilation moves between hard bop, jazz-funk, free jazz and expansive big band arrangements.

Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media, Hiroshi Suzuki, Minoru Muraoka and Hozan Yamamoto feature alongside other distinctive voices from the scene. Released by 180g in collaboration with HMV Record Shop and Universounds, this double LP comes in a gatefold sleeve with Ogawa's detailed notes on each track.

Format: 180g double vinyl LP, gatefold sleeve
Label: 180g / HMV Record Shop
Catalogue number: 180GHMVLP01

Tracklist:

A1. Tadaaki Misago & Tokyo Cuban Boys - Sakura Sakura
A2. Minoru Muraoka with New Jazz Players - Muraiki
A3. Count Buffalo & The Jazz Rock Band - Mago-Uta
A4. Kiyoshi Sugimoto Quartet - D-51
B1. Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd - Adult's Day
B2. Soul Media - Breeze
B3. George Otsuka - Sea View
C1. Hozan Yamamoto, Masahiko Togashi, Yosuke Yamashita - Breath Prologue
C2. Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media - Do It!
C3. Hiroshi Suzuki - Romance
C4. Masahiko Sato - Tochi Mo Kurumi Mo Fukiotose
D1. Masahiko Togashi - Fourth Expression
D2. Takeshi Inomata & Sound Ltd. - Mustache (Live)
D3. Takeo Moriyama - Watarase