Best find of the year for sure. A very rare 1st pressing Japan only promo release by trumpet virtuoso Terumasa Hino and bass master Reggie Workman. Recorded in 1970 for Hino’s own private label Love Records and released in 1971 through the major label Canyon Records. Hard to find but worth the search for sure. This is jazz made for the lovers of post-bop with some avant-garde sprinkled on top. The side long title track has that for sure. It’s so beautifully blended. Very varied stuff with several different parts and much to explore and take in. Virtuoso style playing by both leaders. Hino absolutely smokes. Really love the wailing guitar solo as well by Kiyoshi Sugimoto. The sound is organic and natural which I love.
The second side is a bit calmer with less avant elements. Two lovely post-bop tunes that are lyrical and searching. When dropping the needle and the first tune begins a fantastic sound fills the room. That this is a top notch recording is very evident. Balanced with great detail overall, with the drums sounding particularly sublime. The music is beautiful. In my view, jazz doesn’t get much better than this. Melancholy post-bop is the stuff for me. Takao Uematsu on tenor definitely has an edge to his playing.
The last tune is a slower number with some great solos and lyrical explorations. I especially love the bass clarinet solo by Uematsu and Hino’s solo is brilliant as well, where he truly shows why he should be considered one of the most talented trumpeters in jazz.
A major addition which will be hard to top this year.
