FUMIO ITABASHI『Watarase -ECHO-』LP

PLP-8054
Format： LP
Price：3,980yen＋tax
Release：2024/02/07

★First complete limited edition
★With Obi
★Latest digital remasteringi
★First all-analogue version

Watarase is an important piece of music that sparked the current global Japanese jazz boom, and is one of jazz pianist Fumio Itabashi's most famous compositions. The first in a series of definitive Best of Watarase recordings, made up of previously unreleased and independently released very minor takes of the piece, has finally been released!

An unknown take on Watarase, now in the limelight of jazz fans around the world, has been compiled by Minoru Wakasugi, a pioneer of the Japanese jazz scene, from a 2023 perspective. Composed by Fumio Itabashi in the early 80s, the beautiful melody of this song is reminiscent of the music of Pharaoh Sanders, Ahmad Jamal and Dollar Brand, or even surpassing them, as a superb and ultra-spiritual jazz anthem that is the pride of Japan. When this song was first released, it gradually gained a reputation in the jazz scene and was a popular song that no one in that area knew, but since 2000, thanks to Mr Wakasugi's efforts, it has also spread to the club jazz scene and become known worldwide. This album looks back over 40 years of history and carefully selects 'Watarase' to be listened to now. Here you can enjoy a slice of the life of Fumio Itabashi, who still continues to express the art of jazz to the fullest extent of his being.

There is no longer a "Watarase" in Fumio Itabashi's hometown (Ashikaga). This is because it has become the "Watarase of the world". When I returned to my hometown to confirm this, I felt the need for a new story as I gazed for a while at the river that had become "Watarase". Almost 20 years have passed since the origin of the Japanese jazz boom, 'Itabashi Fumio Anthology watarase'. WATARASE", which has yet to be seen, is now "WATARASE"! ──Minoru Wakasugi