Name: Kemo-Sabe
Brand: Masao Nakajima Quartet

Bonus disc

Catalogue number

BBE663ALP

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-03-24

Signed copies

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

196925519588

Total Cap

Artist

Masao Nakajima Quartet

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Founded in 1996, Bbe is a UK based record label known for releasing original works and compilations. With a strong association with prominent DJs, the label has released numerous collections in various genres including jazz, soul, hip-hop, r'n'b, house, and drum'n'bass. Bbe's releases feature a diverse range of artists such as *Peter Adarkwah*, *Ben Jolly*, *DJ Spinna*, *J Dilla*, *Kenny Dope*, *Marley Marl*, and many others.

Barely Breaking Even (Bbe) was established by Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly to showcase both their own creations and curated compilations. Over the years, Bbe has gained recognition for its compilation series like "The Beat Generation," "Kings of..." and "Strange Games & Funky Things." These releases have become synonymous with quality music from renowned DJs.

The label's extensive catalog includes works from notable artists such as *Roy Ayers*, *Pete Rock*, *Dwele*, *Louie Vega*, *Talib Kweli* and many more. Whether you're a fan of soulful melodies or infectious beats, Bbe offers an impressive collection that caters to diverse musical tastes.

BBE Music continues its highly acclaimed J Jazz Masterclass Series with Kemo Sabe, the debut album from pianist Masao Nakajima. Recorded in 1979 on Yupiteru Records, it's an elusive beast in the field of J Jazz and balances delicate and refined playing with power and vigour.  The Kemo Sabe album features bassist Osamu Kawakami, who has performed and recorded with such J Jazz figureheads as Sadao Watanabe, Isao Suzuki, and Kunihiko Sugano. Sax duty is by Toshiyuki Honda, leader of the popular fusion group Burning Waves. On drums is Donald Bailey, the noted American drummer most known for playing on classic Jimmy Smith Blue Note sessions. Bailey lived and worked in Japan for a number of years from the late 70s and recorded several album dates with local artists such including Keiko Nemoto, Isao Suzuki and George Kawaguchi.    Recorded at the height of the electric fusion era, Kemo Sabe is an avowedly acoustic album, which may account for the small sales and low profile of the album at the time. The propulsive title track, written by New Zealand jazzman Mike Nock, was gifted to Nakajim-san when they briefly met and was featured on J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan vol 3. The reissue's liner notes features an exclusive interview with Masao Nakajima himself, discussing his career and background to the album.  The BBE J Jazz Masterclass Series is curated by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden and is dedicated to presenting the very finest in Japanese jazz. The series features rare, long-lost and unreleased material presented in the highest quality reproductions of the original releases, fully licensed and authorised.

Kemo-Sabe

Music GB