Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Percussionist and singer-songwriter Mami Kakudo returns with her latest album, Contact. A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts' Department of Instrumental Music, Kakudo has gained recognition in Japan and internationally for her expressive use of marimba, percussion, voice and music boxes. Four years after her debut album, Oar (featuring covers of Maki Asakawa's 'My Friday' and Fishmans' 'Ikkareta Baby'), Contact showcases her signature sound again here in all its glory. Recorded with a talented ensemble-including Mugi Furukawa on guitar, Akita Goldman on bass, Wataru Mitsunaga on drums, and Yumiko Iwao on cello-Contact highlights Kakudo's ethereal voice, poetic lyrics and whimsical arrangements.

Review: Japanese artist Kimiko Kasai is a revered vocalist who worked in the world of jazz throughout the eighties. Her unique style made her an in-demand collaborator who worked with the likes of Mal Waldron, Gil Evans and Herbie Hancock. She released a total of 23 albums on majors including EMI which is where, in 1987, she dropped this full-length of electro-pop Japanese works. Perigo A Noite features a collection of songs all written by the lady herself and many of them have an adult and exotic style that blends pop, funk and soul with her signature jazz.

Review: In the late 1970s Japanese jazz guitarist Ryo Kawasaki recorded a string of great albums - many of which were originally only released in his home country - before embracing the potential of drum machines and synthesisers in the early 1980s. Amongst his most potent sets of the 70s was Prism, an inventive and wildly freewheeling fusion and jazz-funk excursion. As this reissue proves, it remains a genuine gem, with Kawasaki showcasing his incredible versatility across a range of tracks that variously doff a cap to slow-motion blues ('Bridge Sun'), Blaxploitation soundtrack funk ('Nogi'), high-tempo free-jazz ('Agana'), synth-laden jazz-funk ('Phil'), laidback fusion jams ('Sweet Tears'), and solo experiments ('Bridge Star').

Review: Originally self-produced and released in the mid-70s by members of Kitakyushu City University's Knights, a light music club, Knights Company was a rare two-disc set that came as an LP and EP and was sold in very limited quantities. Virtually unknown even among collectors, this album combines the high-energy soul influence of James Brown with a bluesy, melodic West Coast and AOR sound. Decades later, its appeal is undiminished as it captures the youthful spirit and talent of northern Kyushu's finest. This masterpiece has been revived as a compilation with high-quality remastering by 8ronix and a striking new design that makes it collectible all over again.

Review: Izumi Kobayashi's Coconuts High is a vibrant testament to her evolution as an artist. Reissued on vinyl, this album showcases Izumi's mastery in blending funk, Latin, and tropical influences into a cohesive and electrifying album. This piece features heavy hitters like Pecker, Freddie Washington, and the legendary Tower of Power horns, along with contributions from The Waters and guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. Tracks like 'Palm St.' and 'Small Dynamite' pulsate with energy, while 'Lazy Love,' a reggae-infused reinterpretation of 'Crazy Love,' highlights her innovative spirit. Recorded in Los Angeles with a top-notch roster of musicians, Coconuts High encapsulates the essence of summer with its infectious grooves and tropical vibes. Each of the eight tracks is meticulously crafted, reflecting Izumi's growth as both a singer and composer. This reissue invites a new generation of listeners to fall in love with the sun-soaked rhythms and catchy melodies that make Coconuts High a timeless gem in Japanese funk and soul music.

Review: Japanese keyboard player, singer-songwriter, music producer Mimi Izumi Kobayashi was born in Funabashi and went on to become a cult artist who released six albums, all of them in the eighties. Tropicana came in 1983 and is maybe the best known of lot and it now gets reissued on limited vinyl via Universal. It's a bright and vibrant blend of city pop, soul, disco and tropical sounds with nostalgic 80s drum sounds, hook vocals in English and Japanese and plenty of camp and catchy grooves. A real exotic wonder.

Review: Izumi Kobayashi's fourth ambient solo album, Ik I, was produced by German visionary Holger Hiller and is now getting a long-awaited reissue. Originally released in a rare Netherlands-only pressing after Kobayashi's move to the UK in 1989, this album captures her unique blend of ambient soundscapes with Hiller's innovative production techniques. It's a real hidden gem of atmospheric music and intriguing Eastern Melody, dainty string patterns and exotic percussive sounds that celebrate Kobayashi's groundbreaking work and are sure to connect with a whole new generation of fans.

Review: Japanese singer-songwriter Junko Kudo has released just two solo albums and one EP but has many more credits having built up a reputation for her vocals on the works of others including greats like Mimori Yusa amongst others. Her debut full-length Akaneiro No Carnival gets reissued here with an insert and obi-strip 40 years after it first arrived. It features Tetsuya Komuro and Daisuke Hyuga working on the arrangements and performance and is a delightful pop gem with hints of wave and synth-pop all drawing you in while the ephemeral whispering vocals from Kudo blend with melancholic melodies and wistful chords.