Various Artists - WaJazz: Japanese Jazz Spectacle Vol. I - Deep, Heavy and Beautiful Jazz from Japan 1968-1984 - The Nippon Columbia Masters - Selected by Yusuke Ogawa (Universounds) 2LP

Yasuke Ogawa pulls together a wonderful collection of Japanese Jazz from the Nippon Columbia catalog.  This collection is brought to us by 180G on two 180G (obviously) black LPs, in a gatefold package.  It is an extension of their Wamono series and we're so excited to stock it!  The album contains extensive notes from Ogawa, who you may know from curating the Project Re:Vinyl releases from HMV Lawson Entertainment in Japan.  If you're a fan of those, you'll love this compilation!  This contains some Cromulent Favorites that we keep in heavy rotation here.  That includes Hiroshi Suzuki, Jiro Ignaki & Soul Media, and more.  This serves as a greatest hits mix tape or an introduction to this wonderful world of J Jazz.  Then again, we'd expect nothing less from Yasuke Ogawa!  Universounds, HMV Record Shop and 180g team up for an exceptional release: from blazing hard bop to free jazz, to introspective saxophone solos and massive big band sounds, renowned Japanese jazz expert Yusuke Og