George Kawaguchi Big Four - George And Sleepy [Victor Entertainment Japan]

Format: LP with obi strip. Imported from Japan. Limited edition.

A masterpiece by George and Sleepy with the new Big Four! A veteran talks about the fun of "those days" and the fun of "now." Jazz is truly fascinating!

The 1950s. The Big Four, led by George Kawaguchi, achieved overwhelming popularity as a pioneering group of modern jazz in Japan. Over time, with different changes in members, it maintained constant activity and left a deep mark on the Japanese jazz scene. This work, "George & Sleepy," was released in 1969 as part of the "Japanese Jazz" series on the Victor label. In the comments of the time, it was said to be "a record that attempts to nostalgically recreate George Kawaguchi's Big Four," but it is by no means a simple nostalgic work.

Tracks like "Lover" and "Charade" clearly evoke the Big Four of those years and are undoubtedly enjoyable, while other pieces that masterfully incorporate modern techniques and sensibilities—such as the sophisticated groove of "Tuesday Samba" or the exotic beat of "Vietnam"—also stand out for their appeal. It is an electrifying work that conveys the charm of jazz, past and present, through a profound performance that only a veteran can offer.