The Japanese jazz composer and saxophonist Sadao Watanabe originally recorded this album in November 1965. Sadao Watanabe is best known for his Bossa Nova recordings, although his work encompasses many styles, with collaborations from musicians all over the world. This 2022 audiophile Japanese reissue sounds incredible and it's highly recommended!

• Original flip-back cover replica
• Pressed in Japan

Note from Vinyl Gourmet: a treasure from Japan, some of the best jazz music and sound I heard in several years, great pressing and old style jacket presentation, not to be missed!

One of the most well-known Japanese jazz musicians of his generation, Sadao Watanabe is an adept, bop-influenced saxophonist with a deep love of Brazilian bossa nova. He initially gained global fame in the 1960s with Bossa Nova Concert and Sadao Meets Brazilian Friends, showcasing his warm tone and lyrical, swinging sound. His subsequent recordings, highlighted by 1974's Round Trip, 1984's Rendezvous, and 1999's Remembrance, found him traversing such varied styles as funk, fusion, and crossover pop. Since the 2000s, Watanabe has focused largely on acoustic post-bop, Brazilian traditions, and straight-ahead jazz, as on the 2017 orchestral concert album Encore!

Born in 1933 in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan, he grew up in a musical family and initially played clarinet in high school, a choice purportedly inspired by seeing Bing Crosby play the instrument in 1941's Birth of the Blues. However, Watanabe soon picked up the alto saxophone after discovering the bebop recordings of Charlie Parker. Upon graduating high school, he relocated to Tokyo, where he gained his first professional experience playing with dance bands. In 1953, he joined pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi's group, ultimately taking over the ensemble after Akiyoshi moved to the United States. Watanabe eventually followed suit, attending Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1962 to 1965. While at Berklee, he broadened his stylistic scope, investigating Brazilian music and performing with luminaries like Chico Hamilton, Gary McFarland, and others. It was also during this period that he made his recorded debut, appearing on a handful of albums including a 1961 self-titled album and its 1965 follow-up, Sadao Watanabe Plays.

Moving back to Japan in 1965, Watanabe split his time between teaching and performing, appearing on 1966's Going Home: A Modern Jazz Album and joining fellow saxophonist Charlie Mariano on 1967's Iberian Waltz. He also displayed his love of Brazilian traditions on a steady stream of bossa nova-steeped albums, including 1967's Bossa Nova Concert and 1968's Sadao Meets Brazilian Friends. Watanabe began appearing more regularly around the world, including a high-profile appearance at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival, and he developed into a highly regarded, world-renowned jazz performer. His albums during these years reflected his eclectic musical taste and found him moving from straight-ahead dates like 1976's I'm Old Fashioned to expansive Brazilian fusion sessions such as 1977's Autumn Blow, and even breezy crossover pop affairs like 1979's Morning Island.

Musicians:

Masanaga Harada - bass
Masahiko Togashi - drums
Sadao Watanabe - flute, alto sax
Akira Miyazawa - flute, tenor sax
Kazuo Yashiro, Norio Maeda - Piano
Akira Nakano - trumpet

Track Listing:

01. Chim Chim Cher-ee
02. Train Samba
03. Walkin'
04. Lady Mako
05. Woman Talk
06. Nama
07. M And M
08. Witch Craft