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Jazz Cafe CHIGUSA in Noge, Yokohama Japan

Jazz Cafe CHIGUSA is located in Noge, Yokohama. Founded in 1933, it is the oldest existing Jazz Kissa in Japan. The current location which has been in operation since 2012 are to be closed on April 10, 2022. It will reopen as "Jazz Museum CHIGUSA" in 2023 celebrating its 90th anniversary. The current building which is over 60 years old is to be demolished and replaced with a new one. This movie is filmed to record the beloved "Jazz Cafe CHIGUSA" in Noge, Yokohama before its rebuilding. The music played in the cafe is as remarked below. Yuki Nakane (Grand Prix winner of the 8th Chigusa Award) - "Fungii Mama" (from Album "NEW-COMER A Letter to Someone") Jazz Cafe CHIGUSA https://www.noge-chigusa.com/

Record Store Day: April 2024

For vinyl and CD lovers, this is a reminder of the upcoming Spring edition of Record Store Day on April 20, 2024. Visit your local independent record store and pick up some great new releases from some of your favorite artists or, find new music from artists you've not heard before. 

Here is a PDF of the April 20th releases. Enjoy!

Thanks again for subscribing to my music blog!

Doug

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Listening: Record Store Day April 20, 2024

The Spring, 2024 edition of Record Store Day is soon upon us...the day we are forced to visit our local independent record store and sift through the great new special edition releases while taking in the vinyl and CD retail culture. Great times! https://recordstoreday.com/Home

Some of the titles on my long list- 

Kelly Watch The Stars by Air

Chet Baker and Jack Sheldon make sweet vibes on Imperfect Harmony

Count 'em...Five 3" releases by The Beatles, two from George Harrison, one from John Lennon and even a new EP from Ringo Starr entitles "Crooked Boy"

Bill Evans may have the best album title of all...Everyone Digs Bill Evans.

A 50th Anniversary Edition of Elton John's Caribou on double vinyl. 

Another 50th Anniversary set, this one is Sweetheart Of The Rodeo by The Byrds members.

The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees (and the second place album title!) by The Monkees (thank you to Friday Music!)

The Rolling Stones (UK) on ABKCO.

Pharoah Sanders, Harvest Time on Luaka Bop Records.

There is a long list of releases for this Record Store Day and you can see them all on the Record Store Day website. Some releases are regional, some very local and some are national. Below is the complete RSD listing but check with your local independent record store to be sure the titles that you are interested in will be carried locally. Good Times! 

https://recordstoreday.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/2024_RSD_PUBLIC.pdf

Listening: Exploring New Music: 10 Albums

Like many I spent most of 2020 at home. Hunkered down, I listened to more music than ever. Much of that time was spent exploring new music by unfamiliar artists, playing music genres much different from what I would normally listen to. I listened to many of the CDs in my home music library and even delved into those old Boston and Chicago albums that I hadn't heard in ages (seriously, those first six Chicago albums are fantastic). Jazz, classical (I'm a sucker for Mozart) and the Allman Brothers all sounded great. But I wanted, needed something different. I mean really, how many times can one listen to Dark Side Of The Moon? Sacrilege I know but you catch my drift.

Deezer HiFi streaming subscription totally helped my new music needs. Millions of full albums, playlists and EPs at my disposal for the cost of one CD each month. And the sound quality with their HiFi version is full CD quality. If you enjoy finding new and old music I recommend Deezer highly. I can access my Deezer choices through smartphone, tablet, desktop and Sonos at home. Other services such as Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify are great ways to enjoy more music than ever before. Choose the one best for your listening needs.

So here are ten recent finds, artists and their albums, that I discovered during Pandemic 2020. Give them a listen and see what you think. Road trip!

Craven Faults
Erratics & Unconformities
Electronic music that will test your sound system, headphones and earbuds. Best listened to in its entirety. Be patient. Listen to the music wash over you, slowly changing and adapting. Just like those miles of roads change sometimes ever so slowly. Meditation with a jolt.
Discovered at Darko Audio YouTube channel.
Bobbie Gentry
The Girl From Chickasaw County
This eight CD box set proves Bobbie Gentry was much more than just Ode To Billy Joe. This set retrospective covers her career and offers southern rock 'n roll, country, jazz and easy listening all in one set. With many guest artists, the music is first rate and the set itself is a real joy to own.
Discovered at https://www.stevehoffman.tv/ music forums
Dave Pike
Music for the Jet Set
Think 1960s. Pike plays marimba with a great backing band. Produced by Herbie Mann, it has a vibe of the times. Highlights are Jet Set, Sunny and You've Got Your Troubles. Grab a martini and chill around the campfire.
Discovered on Deezer.

GoGo Penguin
v2.0
This trio from Manchester, England mix modern jazz, time changes and uptempo bass lines to catches the listener off guard in a good way. Think minimalist and experience well recorded and well played acoustic drum, bass and piano. Habit forming.
Discovered at Stereophile magazine.
Paul Moran
Smokin’ B3 Volume 2, Still Smokin’
Session player, soloist and B-3 Hammond organ and keyboard player for many artists ranging from Chrissie Hynde to Bette Midler to Van Morrison. Moran rocks the B-3 in this very enjoyable and upbeat jazz selection. 
Discovered while surfing on Deezer.
Psychic Lemon
Frequency Rhythm Distortion Delay
As the title suggests this is intense. Think progressive noise rock. Not for the faint of heart. If you are road tripping at night this will be spooky fun. But please, concentrate on your driving.
Discovered on Facebook.

Djabe and Steve Hackett
Back To Sardinia
Steve Hacket, the original guitarist for Genesis, meets jazz-rock band Djabe. The result is a wonderful mix of jazz, trumpet and solo Hackett sometimes playing the background, at times up front. Well recorded with a wide soundstage so buy the CD or vinyl for the full audio effect.
Discovered on YouTube.
Mogwai
As The Love Continues
ZEROZEROZERO soundtrack
Les Revenants
Where have I been? Mogwai has existed for over twenty years and I just discovered them. As The Love Continues was released in 2021 and not only do I love the album, it encouraged me to investigate others such as ZEROZEROZERO and Les Revenants. Someone said their music was "powerful textural solace serenity". A great description.
Discovered on Darko Audio YouTube channel.
Monolake
Silence
This is a quiet album as the title suggests. Recording quality is superb with the quiet passages being super quiet. A perfect late night listen once you've crawled into your sleeping bag for the night.
Discovered on Darko Audio YouTube channel.
EOB
Shangri-la
Ed O Brian from Radiohead proves Radiohead is more than just Thom Yorke. A unique, dreamy and upbeat sound. Ed's sparse vocals let the musicianship shine.
Discovered in Stereophile magazine music reviews.
Micky Dolenz
Dolenz Sings Nesmith
Both of these artists have experienced much success in music. After moving on Nesmith became an early country-rock performer with his First National Band and Second National Band. Dolenz went on to have a successful solo and acting career. Now the join up and again with Dolenz singing these new versions of Nesmith's original songs. A seriously great album, great songs and wonderful singing. My early pick so far for Album Of The Year.
Discovered on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums.

Happy Listening! 

Listening: Margo Timmins

This news from Michael Timmins’ Cowboy Junkies!

“Many years ago, in the time before streaming services and back when we'd gather together to make music, Margo ventured down the 401 to Guelph, Ontario and to the home of Jeff Bird. There she spent some time with Jeff and a few of his talented musical friends and recorded songs by some of her favourite artists. This album may have been recorded fifteen years ago, but these songs are timeless.... as is Margo's voice...enjoy.”

This album is only available as a digital download or as a digital stream. It is not available as a CD or on vinyl. You can find it here: 

#Spotify #AppleMusic #AmazonMusic #TIDAL #Deezer #iTunes #Pandora #Napster #music #margotimmins #cowboyjunkies #jeffbird #hearmoremusic 

Listening: World Gone Crazy

I’ve been a Doobie Brothers fan since first hearing their third studio album, “The Captain and Me” in 1973.  Their mix of hard-edged guitars with vocal harmonies won me over.  Songs like Natural Thing, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove…well, ALL of them only gave a sneak peak at what was to become a popular hit-making band.

Fast forward to the 2010 edition of the band.  They had their huge hits and concert tours throughout the eighties.  After singer Michael McDonald left the band they continued to tour and record without the success of earlier years.  They brought back their original record producer, friend Ted Templeman, along with original guitarists and vocalists Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston.  After playing a few gigs together they asked former drummer Michael Hossick and master-of-all-stringed-instruments John McFee to reunite for a new Doobies album and tour.

Adding to the fun, Willie Nelson and ex-Doobie Michael McDonald make appearances.  Don’t be fooled however, this is no re-union album with ‘guest artists’ added for filler.  The Doobies of old with their harmonies, timeless rhythms and guitar solos are here.  If you enjoyed this band in the past give them another try here.

A nice twist is the remake of ‘Nobody’ from their first album.  This version has a new guitar solo and spotlights Johnston’s rougher vocal style.   Producer Templeton played up to every band member’s strengths and styles.  The Simmons-Johnston-McFee trio is one of the best front lines in rock while drummer Hossick’s playing is forward and driven.  Templeton did what many of us music purists hope for by not overdriving and overmixing the album.  It sounds equally good on a smaller system or better home audio gear.

Whether you want to relive the Doobie glory years or just want a great rock record give World Gone Crazy a listen. Enjoy.

Thanks for visiting Hear More Music!

Doug