There is a reason Scenery has become a gateway into Japanese jazz for so many listeners.
Recorded in 1976, Ryo Fukui’s debut has the immediacy of a great piano trio playing in the room: direct, melodic, swinging and completely unburdened by the idea that it might one day become a cult record.
Standards including “It Could Happen to You”, “I Want to Talk About You” and “Autumn Leaves” sit alongside Fukui originals “Early Summer” and “Scenery”. The repertoire may be familiar, but Fukui's attack, touch and rhythmic confidence give the record its own identity.
This is an ideal starting point for anyone exploring Japanese jazz.
Fukui was largely self-taught and developed rapidly after taking up piano comparatively late.
On Scenery, that unconventional path seems to work in his favour. There is very little fuss around the music: strong melodic ideas, muscular soloing and a trio that can move from lyrical ballad playing into genuinely driving swing.
“Early Summer” in particular shows just how exciting the trio could be.
New and sealed We Release Jazz edition.
Sourced from the original masters and mastered at half speed, this standard edition is pressed on 140g vinyl.
Catalogue: WRJ001REG
Barcode: 4260544825095
Carefully packed for dispatch in a proper vinyl mailer.
Originally recorded in Sapporo in September 1976, Scenery was Ryo Fukui’s debut album and has since become one of the most internationally recognised records in Japanese jazz.
This official We Release Jazz reissue was sourced from the original masters and half-speed mastered for its vinyl release.
There is a reason Scenery has become a gateway into Japanese jazz for so many listeners.
Recorded in 1976, Ryo Fukui’s debut has the immediacy of a great piano trio playing in the room: direct, melodic, swinging and completely unburdened by the idea that it might one day become a cult record.
Standards including “It Could Happen to You”, “I Want to Talk About You” and “Autumn Leaves” sit alongside Fukui originals “Early Summer” and “Scenery”. The repertoire may be familiar, but Fukui's attack, touch and rhythmic confidence give the record its own identity.
This is an ideal starting point for anyone exploring Japanese jazz.
Fukui was largely self-taught and developed rapidly after taking up piano comparatively late.
On Scenery, that unconventional path seems to work in his favour. There is very little fuss around the music: strong melodic ideas, muscular soloing and a trio that can move from lyrical ballad playing into genuinely driving swing.
“Early Summer” in particular shows just how exciting the trio could be.
New and sealed We Release Jazz edition.
Sourced from the original masters and mastered at half speed, this standard edition is pressed on 140g vinyl.
Catalogue: WRJ001REG
Barcode: 4260544825095
Carefully packed for dispatch in a proper vinyl mailer.
Originally recorded in Sapporo in September 1976, Scenery was Ryo Fukui’s debut album and has since become one of the most internationally recognised records in Japanese jazz.
This official We Release Jazz reissue was sourced from the original masters and half-speed mastered for its vinyl release.
