Today’s music comes from Japanese percussionist Takashi Nakazato, a contributor to the group Jazztronik out of Tokyo and their myriad of records going way back when. This forty five is his debut solo seven on the Soul Garden imprint, whose roster includes Amy Akaoká, Q.A.S.B., and Stepak-Takraw. The label’s output has been mostly funk/ soul, latin, and jazz titles, and we reviewed Stepak-Takraw back in 2014. We are definitely fans of the label. Nakazato’s “Pista Libre Part 1 + 2” goes right along with the aural output of the label, as this seven is chock full of latin jazz vies and afro-cuban sounds for the duration. Heavy on the saxophone, with deep piano parts and of course Nakazato’s excellent percussion, “Pista Libre” is spicy and smooth at the same time. But of course, you had to figure that he would get that part two going, and well he does. This time it gets a bit heavier overall, laying down some tough bass lines and guitar licks as well as drum solos. While Nakazato has been a veteran of the Japanese nu-jazz scene, he absolutely scores on this latin tinged forty five. A jazz workout by all means, if that’s your bag. Check out a few samples of both sides of this unique forty five and if it moves you, feel free to pick up the record at the link below as well.

Get the record here.

Keep Diggin’!