It’s Danny Krivit’s fault that I bought this compilation. I really fell in love with Da Lata’s Ronco Da Cucia which he included on his Danny Krivit In The House compilation. But - alas - this version was a mixed one on the CD and if I like a song I prefer an unmixed version. And this particular song was recorded as a tribute to the tenth anniversary of the Kyoto Jazz Massive in 2004.
Shuya Okino and Yoshihiro Okino aka KJM produced their first self-titled compilation album in 1994 released by For Life Records, Japan (and in 1999 by 99 Records, Germany). They’ve worked on five singles (including Nacel Do Sol, Eclipse and Substream), four compilation albums, 13 remix albums and released their debut album Spirit of the Sun in 2002. This may not be the most impressive output if you just look at the number of full-length releases. Nevertheless likeminded DJs, producers and musicians are so impressed by KJM that they’ve contributed exclusive songs to this anniversary compilation.
The list of contributors reads like a who’s who of modern soul-house and broken beats. Not only the afore-mentioned Da Lata track is a winner but also Tomorrow Never Comes by Reel People. Sung by the ubiquitous Vanessa Freeman this is an epic peace of postmodern soul.
Other favourites include Aphrodite by Louie Vega & The EOL Band. This is classic latin instrumental jazz straight out of the 50s/ 60s. Old Cal Tajder songs or the Billy Taylor Trio’s version of Mambo Inn springs to my mind.
Phil Asher and Mike Patto aka Restless Soul do what they do best in the shape of the funky house groover Time To Fly with Rasiyah on vocals, while Orin Walters teams up with Alison David and Mark De Clive-Lowe for the complex grooves of Now Or Never.
Kyoto Jazz Massive’s own contribution to their birthday album is Endless Flight, a pleasant jazz fusion song with vocals by Carol Crosby.
Tracks by Domu, Dego & Kaidi Tatham or Markus Enochson round off a very good tribute album for Kyoto Jazz Massive. If only every anniversary/tribute compilation would offer such a musical diversity.
Tracklisting of For KJM: 1. Restless Soul feat. Rasiyah - Time To Fly/ 2. Face - No Fear/ 3. Kyoto Jazz Massive - Endless Flight/ 4. Da Lata - Ronco Da Cuica/ 5. Aphrodite - Louie Vega & The EOL Band/ 6. Afronaught feat. Alison David - Now Or Never/ 7. Domu - Taking Flight/ 8. Lars Bartkuhn - First Friendship/ 9. Markus Enochson feat. Ingela Olsson - Listen 4 It/ 10. Dego & Kaidi Tatham - Come With Me/ 11. Reel People feat. Vanessa Freeman - Tomorrow Never Comes | released 2004 by Quality Records/MCJP
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