Norio Maeda “Rhapsody in Blue”

Norio Maeda
Rhapsody in Blue
Far East (Japan) 1979
ETJ-85004 (LP) w/insert(dirts).
sleeve : EX-(wear on edge and corner.)
media : EX-/EX-(some slightly surface noises. some very slightly hairlines that does not affect to sounds.)

Norio Maeda, a jazz pianist who has been active at the forefront of jazz music since the mid-1950s, released this album in 1979, featuring Saijo Konosuke (ts) in addition to Inomata Takeshi (dr) and Arakawa Yasuo (b), who worked together as WE3. The album features the famous songs of George Gershwin, a leading American composer who left many standard numbers. Maeda's superb arrangements cover such classic songs as "Summertime," "Strike Up the Band," and "Rhapsody in Blue. In addition to Maeda's piano playing, the rhythm section of Inomata and Arakawa is mesmerizing. The groove of "Summertime" is especially outstanding. Incidentally, these three musicians also performed a thrillingly wonderful improvisation on Hozan Yamamoto's masterpiece "The Suite of Shakuhachi," which was featured in the first edition of the guidebook "obscure sound”.