Sunsuke Fujieda Group - Fukushima - 180g Vinyl LP

2025

LP Review:

A likely candidate for many 2025 year-end best lists—mine included. It’s one of those albums that seemed to come out of nowhere. I hadn’t heard a thing about it when my phone blew up with a blitzkrieg of FOMO messaging. Within 24 hours, I’d received DMs, texts, and emails telling me to order this record IMMEDIATELY or cry tears of remorse into my pillow of regret.

After more than a few trusted voices told me this was a future classic, I created an autoresponder that said, “Enough already! I bought it!” (which confused the hell out of the guy trying to sell me an extended car warranty).

It went straight to the top of the stack upon arrival so I could hear what all the fuss was about. After a quick cleaning, I settled in with low expectations, ready to be underwhelmed. I’ve seen this movie before. The words “limited edition” tied to independent spiritual jazz records can inspire groupthink like little else.

Boy, was I wrong.

Believe the hype. This is a fantastic recording, sonically (earthshaking) and musically (mind-expanding). Leader and composer Sinsuke Fujieda alternates between tenor and soprano sax, often trading exploratory lines with violinist Fumiko Takeshita.

Full disclosure: I’m picky about the violin in small combo jazz. I can’t exactly explain it—it’s just not usually my thing. Big band? Fusion? Sure. But in this context, it often rubs me the wrong way.

But here? It works. It really works. Takeshita’s playing is expressive and unexpected, adding tension and beauty in equal measure, making this album special.

Bassist Shigeru Kato lays it the f*ck down, with unshakable grooves, while drummer Kensaku Ohsumi handles the pulse and propulsion. Urgency and bounce are in pianist Shinichi Tsukamoto’s capable hands, making this a complete team effort. And they sound like they’re having a blast doing it.

Five tracks total: from the 10-minute modal/spiritual title piece to the brief, danceable closer “Perspective.” This is your jam if you’re into BBE J-Jazz compilations, Wamano Records, or the Jazzman Spiritual Jazz series. If Milestone-era McCoy Tyner (with Azar Lawrence) lights your fire or you enjoy chasing the Trane, you need this.

It’s a stone groove that’ll send you questing from your favorite recliner.

Syd Schwartz - Jazz and Coffee