Japanese Jazz/Funk

Following the already classic Wamono A to Z trilogy, we are delighted to present an exceptional collection of jazz funk / rare groove tunes recorded in the mid-seventies at the Nippon Columbia studios by three giants of Japanese music: arranger Kiyoshi Yamaya, koto legend Toshiko Yonekawa and shakuhachi master Kifu Mitsuhashi.

Following the highly acclaimed Volume I, dig further into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the sixties in Japan!

Dig right now into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the sixties in Japan!

Following the highly acclaimed volumes I and II, dig further into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the sixties in Japan!

Put the needle on the record, turn up the volume and dig right now into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and boogie music developed throughout the years since the sixties in Japan!

Disco from a label that digs for Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music.

Japanese Funk, Boogie and City Pop from King Records 1974-88 selected by Dj Notoya

Wewantsounds continue its extensive Meiko Kaji reissue program in partnership with Teichiku Records and Meiko Kaji herself, with the release of Gincho Wataridori, her debut album from 1972.

A glorious 2x LP gatefold double album resplendent with OBIs featuring some of the best examples of, until recently, a very underrated genre. Now of course, it's the hippest sound around.

- For all fans of the Wamono series! - All tracks selected by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite. Includes the first ever vinyl release of The Peanuts' "Ohara Bushi" track, originally released only on tape in 1970. - Fully licensed King Records masters. - Mastering and lacquer cut by Jukka Sarapaa at Timmion Cutting Lab, Helsinki, Finland. - 180g heavy vinyl pressing, reverse board jacket.

Wewantsounds is delighted to continue its Yoshiko Sai reissue program with the release of "Mikkou", the Japanese singer-songwriter's 2nd album released in 1976 on Black Records.

We can't really say that Japanese jazzmen benefit (not justify in fact) from a great international fame. However, trumpet player Terumasa Hino is an exception, undoubtedly because since the 70s he has collaborated with numerous American musicians : Gary Burton, Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock …

Following the highly acclaimed first volume in the series, Japanese jazz expert Yusuke Ogawa continues the WaJazz exploration with another essential collection of music that contains something uniquely Japanese — focusing this time on the King Records catalog. Featuring timeless music by Isao Suzuki, Toshiaki Yokota, Akira Miyazawa, Takeru Muraoka, Yasuaki Shimizu, Masahiko Togashi, George Otsuka, and more!

BBE Music’s celebrated J Jazz compilation series reaches its fifth and final volume in early 2026. This final volume features a selection of tracks that is as diverse as it is deep, reflecting the rich and varied Japanese jazz scene that spanned from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, a golden era of innovation and creativity.

Japanese sonic visionary Cornelius returns with his long-awaited ninth studio album. Album nine sharpens decades of sonic exploration into something intimate yet expansive and surprising - intricate rhythms, shimmering detail and widescreen psychedelia in perfect balance. Featuring guest vocals from Sean Lennon and an unexpected, brilliant cover of The Monochrome Set.

The ‘imaginary’ soundtrack to the adventures Of Kindaichi Kosuke, the cult detective book series by writer Seishi Yokomizo is on many DJ want-lists. Arranged by soundtrack master Kentaro Haneda and featuring a mysterious group of the best 70s Japanese Funk musicians, the album is pure undiluted Disco Funk.

Aya's Samba, was a debut effort by bassist Eiji Nakayama, who played as part of Elvin Jones ' Jazz Machine and toured with Don Friedman.

Watanabe places the vibrant timbres of traditional Japanese instruments (shinobue and ryuteki flutes, taiko drums, narimono percussion instruments, and koto, a 13-string zither) in compositions and jazz improvisations. These traditional instruments are contrasted by the many layers of acoustic and electronic instruments - piano, synthesizers, tenor saxophone, soprano and alto flutes, and harp, all played by Watanabe.

Once again, Japanese crossover/fusion is heating up. As a development or spin-off from the global reappraisal boom of city pop, Japanese fusion has rapidly come back into the spotlight since around last year.

Freedom, rebellion, and defiance — The rock/psych rock revolution that tore through Japan in the early 1970s!