Personnel:
Toshiko Akiyoshi (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d), Akira Miyazawa, Hidehiko 'Sleepy' Matsumoto (ts), Hisao Mori, Shigeru Takemura, Tetsuo Fushimini, Terumasa Hino (tp), Hiroshi Suzuki, Mitsuhiko Matsumoto, Teruhiko Kataoka, Takeshi Aoki (tb), Hiroshi Okazaki, Shigeo Suzuki (as), Tadayuki Harada (bs), Charlie Mariano (arr)
Reference: VJ 023 CD
Bar code: 8427328410236
Tracklisting:
01. Kisarazu Jink (Trad. arr. Akiyohi) 5:10
02. Lament (Johnson) 4:42
03. The Shout (Mariano) 5:45
04. Israel (Carisi) 4:03
05. Land of Peace (Feather) 4:18
06. Walkin' (Carpenter) 4:53
07. Santa Barbara (Mariano) 5:19
Originally issued as Vee Jay VJ-2505
Also released on the Nippon Columbia label in Japan under the title
"Toshiko and Modern Jazz"
Personnel:
Toshiko Akiyoshi, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums; Akira Miyazawa, Hidehiko 'Sleepy' Matsumoto (tenor saxophone in all tracks except #2); Hisao Mori, Shigeru Takemura, Tetsuo Fushimini, Terumasa Hino (trumpet on #1,3,4,7); Hiroshi Suzuki (trombone on #1,3,4,5,7); Mitsuhiko Matsumoto, Teruhiko Kataoka, Takeshi Aoki (trombone on #1,3,4,7); Hiroshi Okazaki, Shigeo Suzuki (alto saxophone on #1,3,4,7); Tadayuki Harada (baritone saxophone on #1,3,4,7).
Recorded in Tokyo, Summer 1965
Arrangements by Toshiko and Charlie Mariano
Cover design: George S. Whiteman
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Review:
"Although pianist/arranger Toshiko Akiyoshi did not come to prominence in the United States until the mid-'70s, she was playing and recording excellent bop-based music from 1953 on, often in Japan. In the early '60s, she was married to altoist Charles Mariano so she was known as Toshiko Mariano during the era. This Vee Jay CD reissues her first big-band album and her only one before 1974. Toshiko and Mariano provided the four big-band arrangements, which include two of the altoist's originals, "Kisarazu Jink" and Johnny Carisi's "Israel." The Japanese big-band includes two notables (trumpeter Terumasa Hino and tenor saxophonist Sleepy Matsumoto) and a pair of ringers (bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb). The band swings quite well. In addition, Toshiko Mariano is showcased on a trio version of "Lament," in a quintet (with tenors Matsumoto and Akira Miyazawa) on "Walkin'," and a sextet (which adds trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki) for Leonard Feather's "Land of Peace." A historic and rather interesting (if brief) early release from the future Toshiko Akiyoshi".
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
