Eastwind Import Blog

New Arrivals

Hajime — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:32:26 GMT

Brand-new release from Pirouet Records!

Marc Copland / Another Place
The wizard pianist weaves a tapestry of lyrical and dynamic soundscapes with guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Billy Hart!

Three new additions to our Classical SACD catalog!

Tutti! Reference Recordings Orchestral Sampler [Hybrid SACD]
The hybrid SACD/HDCD version of Dr. Keith Johnson's renowned orchestral sampler! A definite must-have reference disc for audiophiles!

Minnesota Orchestra - Vänskä / Beethoven - Symphony Nos. 2 & 7 [Hybrid SACD]
The conclusion of the Minnesota/Vänskä's Beethoven Symphony cycle is another musical and sonic triumph!

Engegård Quartet / Haydn, Solberg, Grieg - String Quartets [Hybrid SACD]
The latest release from Norway's 2L label is a stunningly vivid collection of string quartets. Their DXD digital recording format offers the highest resolution among all existing formats!

New Arrivals: Atelier Sawano's latest and 3 XRCD jazz titles!

Hajime — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:57:32 GMT

Brand-new release from Atelier Sawano!

Tõnu Naissoo Trio / For Now And Forever
The Estonian pianist's fourth release from Atelier Sawano is another winner! Modern interpretations of jazz standards with a beautiful touch and sparkling piano sound!

Three new additions to our XRCD catalog!

Patricia Barber / Companion [XRCD2]
This superbly recorded live album from the idiosyncratic singer/pianist from Chicago has been one of the reference CDs most often used by audiophiles!

Gene Ammons / Boss Tenor [XRCD]
A bluesy, soulful classic from the tenorman in great-sounding XRCD! Features Tommy Flannagan, Art Taylor, Doug Watkins and Ray Barretto!

Johnny Griffin / The Little Giant [XRCD]
A swinging, powerful hard-bop classic and one of the best records made by Johnny Griffin in XRCD! Features Blue Mitchell, Julian Priester, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Albert Heath!

Four new arrivals from German audiophile label Stockfisch Records!

Hajime — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:26:08 GMT

Stockfisch Records is a German audiophile label led by brilliant producer and recording engineer Günter Pauler. The label's core catalog consists of guitar- and vocal-centric folk/blues/country/pop offerings, but they also have interesting jazz and classical titles as well.

Regardless of the genre, the common factor is the respect for the originality and creativity of the musicians and the extraordinary focus on sound quality which is simply a manifestation of a desire to get "closer to the music."

For a while now, Eastwind Import has carried the XRCD24 version of singer-songwriter Sara K.'s latest recording Hell Or High Water, which, by the way, is a stunning artistic and aural achievement. Now, we have expanded our catalog with four recent releases. If you don't know this great label,this is the best place to start!

Bassface Swing Trio / Plays Gershwin [Hybrid SACD]
This is one of the few straight-ahead jazz titles offered by Stockfisch. And this hybrid SACD version of the very special, direct-to-disc recording is a winner! It will astonish you with its sound quality and make you smile with its great musical performance! Wow!

Stockfisch Records / Closer To The Music Sampler Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD]
Stockfisch's first sampler is a great-sounding hybrid SACD compilation of works by folk/country/blues singer-songwriters including Alan Taylor, Sara K., Chris Jones and Mike Silver!

Stockfisch Records / Closer To The Music Sampler Vol. 2 [Hybrid SACD]
The Stockfisch legacy continues with this superb follow-up sampler. Featured artists include Sara K., Steve Strauss, David Ross and Ewen Carruthers!

Sara K. / Water Falls
Texas-born singer-songwriter Sara K.'s 2002 release is an artistic and sonic triumph. Stockfisch albums sound great even if they come in the standard CD format!

New Arrival: Roger Kellaway & Dick Hyman: Two Pianos from The Jazz Bakery label

Hajime — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:52:52 GMT

Roger Kellaway Dick Hyman / Two Pianos
My favorite jazz theater in the world, The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles has launched its own label, and its premier release is a piano duo masterpiece by Roger Kellaway and Dick Hyman! A must-own item for fans of piano jazz. Highly recommended!

New Arrival: Renee Rosnes / Black Narcissus

Hajime — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:30:36 GMT

Renee Rosnes / Black Narcissus
Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes' brand-new trio recording is, in her own words, "a celebration of the music and life of Joe Henderson." This superb piano trio album features Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Highly recommended!

Latest News: Big Band Fiesta and LPs!

Hajime — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:10:59 GMT

Eastwind Import will be selling CDs at the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's Big Band Fiesta, to be held at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, October 9-12. This event will feature Latin jazz performed by big bands, from Stan Kenton's Cuban Fire to Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain. For details, go to LAJI's website.

Responding to the requests of many of our customers, Eastwind Import is getting itself ready to carry LPs! Our first titles will come from Atelier Sawano and Venus Records. Stay tuned!

New Arrivals: SHM-CD reissues of Bennie Wallace!

Hajime — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:20:37 GMT

Bennie Wallace (b. 1946) is a jazz tenor saxophonist who is somewhat underappreciated in his home country but has a huge following in Europe and Japan. He has recorded quite a few great albums for Germany's Enja Records since the late 1970s and after his "comeback" in 1998.

Universal Music Japan has recently reissued four of his Enja albums -- all considered as classics now -- on the brand-new SHM-CD format that offers superior sound and is compatible with all regular CD players.

In various settings, and together with superb musicians like Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, George Cables, Eddie Gomez, Peter Washington and Herlin Riley, Wallace shines with his big, brawny tone and freewheeling, exciting improvisation.

The Nearness Of You

Someone To Watch Over Me

In Berlin

The Talk Of The Town

New Arrivals: SHM-CD reissues of late period Chet Baker masterpieces!

Hajime — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:09:50 GMT

Enja Records of Germany was diligent on recording the trumpet legend Chet Baker in his late years, and released many albums after his untimely and tragic death in 1988. Universal Japan has now reissued six of these remarkable albums in the brand-new SHM-CD format that offers superior sound and is compatible with all regular CD players.

These limited edition SHM-CDs add extra clarity and resolution to these historic recordings. It is an added bonus that they also contain original, English liner notes. These are all must-own recordings for fans of Chet Baker. Order yours before they run out!

Chet Baker & NDR Big Band - The Legacy, Vol. 1

I Remember You - The Legacy, Vol. 2

Why Shouldn't You Cry - The Legacy, Vol. 3

Oh You Crazy Moon - The Legacy, Vol. 4

My Favorite Things - The Last Great Concert Vol. 1

Straight From The Heart - The Last Great Concert Vol. 2

SHM-CD: New and improved CD format from Japan!

Hajime — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:53:32 GMT

SHM-CD, or Super High Material CD, is an improved version of the Compact Disc that uses higher quality, more transparent polycarbonate material that was developed for use in LCDs. It is compatible with any regular CD player. Universal Japan and JVC, who developed the SHM-CD, say that the new material also allows the pits to be formed more precisely, and the signal characteristics are improved as a result.

What that translates to our listening experience is a clearer, more open sound, better resolution that leads to more details, and lower distortion. Universal Japan is already reissuing many albums in their catalog in all genres as SHM-CDs, and people are taking notice.

SHM-CD Jazz Sampler (2 CD)
Now, they have released this limited-edition, 2-disc Jazz Sampler. Each package contains two CDs: one regular CD and one SHM-CD. Each CD contains the same music progaram, and they are made from the same masters (freshly remastered in Japan without any use of equalizers or compressors) and they are even pressed with the same stamper.

Taken from the vast catalog of Universal which includes Verve and Impulse labels, each CD contains 13 famous jazz numbers recorded in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The artists include John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, and Anita O'Day.

After comparing them myself, I can honestly say that there are subtle but consistent differences: The SHM-CD offers a clearer, more open sound with better resolution. Voices and instruments sound more three-dimensional and richer in texture. And the best part is, if you buy this Sampler, you can test them yourself with your own ears and your own system. This limited edition will go quickly, so don't wait to order your copy!

New Arrivals: Two great reissues of Tommy Flanagan!

Hajime — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:31:36 GMT

Tommy Flanagan Trio / Jazz Poet
A great trio album of the great bebop pianist, recorded in 1989 with George Mraz on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Swinging, elegant and inspired!

Tommy Flanagan Trio featuring Kenny Burrell / Beyond The Bluebird
Master jazz musicians and fellow Detroitans, Flanagan and Burrell reunited for this swinging, bluesy album recorded in 1990 in Holland. With George Mraz and Lewis Nash!

New Arrivals: JOC featuring Jesse van Ruller and Junior Mance!

Hajime — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:32:41 GMT

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruller / Silk Rush
The superb big band of The Netherlands, JOC follows its wildly successful Riffs 'N Rhythms with a brand-new live album featuring its star guitarist's compositions. Van Ruller takes brilliant solos on every tune. Wow!

Junior Mance Trio with Houston Person / Blue Minor
One of the few living jazz legends who played with Gene Ammons and Lester Young, soon-to-be-80 pianist Junior Mance shows he's only getting better in this bluesy, soulful album, featuring his regular trio and a special guest, tenor saxophonist Houston Person.

Introducing Resonant Music: A wonderful Norwegian jazz label

Hajime — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:02:48 GMT

Resonant Music is a Norwegian, independent jazz label founded by extraordinary bassist Terje Gewelt. After creating an intimate recording studio in Oslo, he decided to go one step further and start his own record label in 1988.

Since then, the new label has released 19 CDs to date, featuring contemporary Norwegian jazz musicians. The common qualities of these CDs are superb musicianship, independent creativity and great sound. As Gewelt himself regards the quality of the recording very important, and since all the releases are recorded, mixed and/or mastered at Resonant Studio, the listener will find the distinctive and personal sound to be of the highest quality.

Eastwind Import is pround to carry the three latest releases from Resonant Music. These fine CDs are extremely rare and difficult to find in North America!

Dag Arnesen / Norwegian Song
Pianist Dag Arnesen and his trio explore Norwegian folk songs along with the music of Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull. Melancholic and beautiful!

Terje Gewelt / If Time Stood Still
Gewelt and his trio featuring electric guitar and percussion tell 12 short stories through the leader's cinematic compositions with different moods. Lyrical and serious, adventurous trio music!

Espen Rud / Melancholy Delight
Drummer Espen Rud leads an unusual quintet featuring baritone saxophone, vibraphone and guitar. His original compositions are cool, sensitive and has a touch of warm sense of humor. The performance and sound quality are first-rate!

New Arrivals - Classical

Hajime — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:58:02 GMT

Trondheim Solistene / Divertimenti (Blu-ray & Hybrid SACD)
The first music-only recording to be made available in the new format of Blu-ray. A true world premiere! This 2L release from Norway also includes a hybrid SACD. No matter which format you listen to, It's a sonic marvel!

Gary Karr / Super Double-Bass (XRCD24)
Legendary bassist Gary Karr performs popular standards on a milestone format in fine audio sound, XRCD24. Gary's interpretation of the masters' works is touching and profoundly musical!

Heifetz Plays Gershwin & Music of France (XRCD24)
Renowned violinist Jascha Heifetz is accompanied by pianist Brooks Smith for this recording of Gershwin compositions (Heifetz's own transcriptions for violin and piano) as well as music of France by Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and more!

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - Mariss Jansons / Stravinsky - L'Oiseau de feu, Le sacre du printemps (Hybrid SACD)
Two of Stravinsky's important ballet scores are brought together on a fine-sounding SACD. With exceptional orchestral detail, this may be the finest recorded sound ever for this repertoire! Extraordinary!

New Arrivals

Hajime — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:30:04 GMT

Cathy Rocco / You're Gonna Hear From Me
Sophisticated and soulful singer Cathy Rocco's debut CD from Resonance Records is a winner! Features Tamir Hendelman and Kuno Schmid as pianists/arrangers and the late Dave Carpenter on bass.

Kenny Barron / Live At Fat Tuesdays
One of the best jazz pianists of our time, Kenny Barron's hot and inspired live date from 1988! This rare reissue CD features Eddie Henderson, John Stubblefield, Cecil McBee and Victor Lewis.

Great-sounding XRCDs and an SACD!

Jacintha Jacintha Is Her Name (XRCD24)
Singaporean singer Jacintha's tribute to Julie London features great jazz musicians such as Bill Cunliffe, Harry Allen and Ron Echete. The sparce instrumentation brings out Jacintha's seductive voice and the super-high quality of this recording. Wow!

Jacintha Best Of Jacintha (Hybrid SACD)
Jacintha's first "best of" album contains best takes from her six albums released so far from Groove Note. Beautifully remastered in hybrid SACD format, this is a must-have item for audiophiles! (It plays both on regular CD players and SACD players.)

Dave Grusin / Discovered Again! Plus (XRCD24)
This is an XRCD24 reissue of the legendary direct-cutting session produced by Sheffield Lab in 1976. Featuring an all-star band that included Ron Carter, Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason and Larry Bunker, this disc is reference quality both in terms of performance and sound quality!

Kenny Burrell / Soul Call (XRCD2)
The great jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's classic 1964 Riverside recording comes back to life in this great-sounding XRCD2 reissue. The bluesy and soulful session features Will Davis on piano and Ray Barretto on congas.

André Previn and His Pals / West Side Story (XRCD2)
The golden trio of Previn, Shelly Manne and Red Mitchell brings swing, sophistication and "California cool" to the Leonard Bernstein musical. This is one of the trio's best records, and it never sounded better than this XRCD2 reissue!

Art Pepper Quartet / Paris Live 1980

Hajime — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:43:16 GMT

New Arrival

Art Pepper Quartet / Paris Live 1980
Art Pepper's previously unreleased recording from 1980! This is HUGE for fans of Pepper and West Coast jazz. As its sister release London Live 1980, Paris Live 1980 is produced for release by interplay Records' Toshiya Taenaka, and contains rare live recording of the first regular group Pepper formed after his "comeback" in the mid-1970s. A must-have item for fans of Art Pepper!

High Five / Five For Fun

Hajime — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:55:49 GMT

New Arrival

High Five / Five For Fun
High Five, originally known as the High Five Quintet, is an Italian all-star group of youngish, hard-bop oriented musicians, led by the fabulous trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso. This exhilarating straight-ahead album is perfect for the summer season. When you listen to it, I bet you'll feel like jumping up and down for joy! I'm certain this will be one of the BEST jazz albums of 2008. Very highly recommended!

Eric Alexander Quartet / Gentle Ballads III

Hajime — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:40:30 GMT

New Arrival

Eric Alexander Quartet / Gentle Ballads III
Top tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander's latest release, the third in the "Gentle Ballads" series is a modern masterpiece! His big tone, small nuances, and muscular style free of cheap sentimentality combine to create stunning, beautiful music. Very highly recommended!

Introducing Gilad Hekselman and Peter Mazza (and a new label)!

Hajime — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:01:21 GMT

New Arrival

Introducing a new label: LateSet Records

LateSet Records is a brand-new jazz label based in New York and Tokyo. The focus of the label and owner and executive producer, Yasuo Sakai, is to discover talented musicians "who are the pure and passionate, who never play for the money, the fame, or the commercialism" and promote them, giving them a chance to record and release CDs.

The artists they support -- all four of them so far happen to be guitarists -- have fierce individuality and creativity, brilliant technical skills and adventurous mind. If you want to know what is going on in New York's jazz scene and find out about those young, brilliant guitarists, you would do well to check out this brand-new Japanese-American label!

Two brilliant, young guitarists from New York!

Gilad Hekselman / Words Unspoken
Born in Israel in 1983, Hekselman was just 22 years old when he won the 2005 Gibson Montreux International Guitar Competion. In his first studio album, he teams with great New York musicians (Joe Martin, Marcus Gilmore and guest Joel Frahm) and wows the listener with jaw-dropping technique, maturity and sensitivity beyond his age, quiet intensity, and impressive compositional skills. Amazing!

Peter Mazza / Through My Eyes
Another talented guitarist who lives in New York, Mazza's main instrument is steel string acoustic guitar. He uses unique, open tunings and, on some occasion, overdubs his electric and baritone guitars to create a truly unique soundscapes. An exciting, cutting-edge guitar jazz!

New arrival: Tizian Jost Trio / The Night Has A Thousand Eyes

Hajime — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:51:50 GMT

New Arrival

A brand-new release from Atelier Sawano!

Tizian Jost Trio / The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
German pianist Tizian Jost's latest and third release from Atelier Sawano is a great swinger, paying tribute to American jazz composers such as Bobby Timmons, Oscar Pettiford and Cedar Walton. A wonderful piano trio album!

Riffs 'N Rhythms by Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw featuring Jesse van Ruler!

Hajime — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:32:13 GMT

New Arrival

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw / Riffs 'N Rhythms
This is a swinging and exciting live album from the premier big band of The Netherlands, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. The album features original compositions of the conductor/arranger Henk Meutgeert and a superb rhythm section including Jesse van Ruler (guitar), Peter Beets (piano) and Martijn Vink (drums)!