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Every so often an album comes along that, from the very first seconds, fills one with a state of overwhelm and wonder, knowing that one has stumbled upon something truly special. Swedish musician Petter Herbertsson has been steadily recording and releasing albums for over two decades with his group Testbild! (not to mention many other projects under various aliases), but he recorded his so-far career defining statement with Ulrika, an album of almost imperceptible beauty.

Quietly released at the tail end of 2023 by Sweden’s Dilettante Productions in an edition of 199 copies, Ulrika unfolds like a flower in the morning sun, slowly opening and unveiling itself to the world. It’s hard to believe that Herbertsson plays all of the instruments on the album, as it is an especially sumptuous affair, with guitar, vibraphone, all manner of keys (including some especially lovely harpsichord), melodica, vocals and more all intertwining with each other. In someone else’s hands it could easily have come across as stiff and crowded, but here every instrument is given its proper amount of space to breathe, with an organic feeling of warmth that one just wants to sink into.

Although some analogs can be made to ’70s era Robert Wyatt, Brian Wilson’s lush arrangements or Slapp Happy’s charming avant–pop, Herbertsson has done an impeccable job of distilling these influences into his own defined sound. From the production to the compositions, nothing about Ulrika feels modern, the entire affair sounding like it could have been released in 1972 (in the best way possible). Rarely does 21st century music reach the levels of artistic maturity found on Ulrika.

Naoko Gushima's third album released in 1999, which has expanded its musical range more gorgeously while maintaining the stylish and urban atmosphere, will be re-released for a limited time on clear vinyl!

Following on from the previous work, Naoko Gushima's second album, released in 1997, which is almost entirely composed of her own songs and is equally popular in Japan and abroad, will be re-released for a limited time on Clear Green Vinyl!

Naoko Gushima's 1996 debut and urban mellow masterpiece, which has been attracting attention in recent years in the reevaluation of city pop, has been re-released for a limited time on clear purple vinyl!

A long-awaited analog version of the gem of Japanese mellow fusion, which has been receiving a lot of attention from the City Pop~Balearic side of the music scene! The album contains many masterpieces such as "Ka Ri Bu No Yu Me", a Balearic/light fusion song with the scent of the ocean, "Manhattan Blue," a popular number that she also arranged, and "Click My Heart," a techno-pop song with a lovely and catchy electric organ. This is a piece that overflows with a unique sense of floating and loveliness, fully showcasing the diverse charms of the electronic organ known as the "Electone". The cover illustration by Tom Akamine is also excellent!

Begin guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro is releasing his first solo album on analog vinyl in his 55th year of life, featuring a splendid lineup of guest artists! Guest artists include Mongol800, Orange Range, Kariyushi58, kiroro, Ken Yokoyama (crazy KEN Band), Sami-t (Mighty Crown), and more! Begin debuted in 1990 and was inclined toward blues-rock, but later began playing Okinawa folk music as a guiding light. Since then, they have released songs with rich and varied musicality. The cover art is drawn by Masaru Shimabukuro himself.

A dramatic encounter between the elite group led by Shuya Okino and a legendary drummer. Connecting the past and present of Japanese jazz and illuminating the future that is an extension of it.

●kyoto Jazz Sextet is an acoustic jazz unit started in 2015 by Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz Massive, a DJ/music producer unit that is active worldwide. With the concept of expressing the "current state of jazz" rather than just a nostalgic hobby, he has released two albums so far: "mission" (2015) and "unity" (2017).

●Fully featuring Takeo Moriyama, the pinnacle of Japanese jazz drumming. The two performed together for the first time as headliners at Tokyo Crossover/Jazz Festival 2021 held at Shinkiba ageHa@STUDIO Coast on November 20, 2021. The audience was overwhelmed by the spirited collaboration that transcended generations.

●In addition to Moriyama's representative repertoire, which is popular among club jazz listeners, the album includes a new song "Father Forest" written by Shuya Okino. The all-analog recording and cutting from a half-inch analog tape master create a robust and dynamic sound.

Kyoto Jazz Sextet Shinpei Ruike trumpet Ken Kurihara tenor saxophone Yusuke Hirado piano Yoshihito"P"Koizumi. bass Shuya Okino (vision, sound effect on Watarase) featuring Takeo Moriyama drums

Produced by Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Akihito Yoshikawa (studio Dedé)

■Live information Kyoto Jazz Sextet feat. Takeo Moriyama 3rd Album "succession" LP Release Live Friday, September 20, 2024 @cotton Club

For live inquiries: Extra Freedom info@extra-freedom.co.jp