Half Speed Master

 

Hiroshi Suzuki - Cat [WRJ010 LTD CHE 2021 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC]

Originally released on Columbia Records Japan in 1976.

Since I began posting Jazz every Sunday, this album has been one of the most requested reposts, I thought I'd go one better and prepare a whole new rip.

It is time for a half speed mastered repress of one of the most sought after Japanese jazz albums of all-time. If you don't believe me, have a look here. Originally released on Columbia Records in 1976, Cat was the second and last solo album by master of the trombone, Hiroshi Suzuki. It has been elevated towards holy grail status by jazz collectors & aficionados all over the world for its fusion of virtuoso horn over a slick funk-fusion groove. 

Suzuki had based himself in Las Vegas as part of Buddy Rich's ensemble, but returned to the Nippon Columbia Studio in 1975 to record his most celebrated work. Recorded over just two days, Suzuki was reunited with Kunimitsu Inaba on bass, Akira Ishikawa on drums, Hiromasa Suzuki on keyboards and Takeru Muraoka on saxophone.

Swiss reissue label, We Release Jazz, a subsidiary of We Release Whatever The F*ck We Want Records have unwrapped the golden ticket by securing the rights outside Japan. They have then ensured an immaculate half-speed mastered reproduction on 180gm platters in a heavy weight  350gm sleeve. Cut by Sidney Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios from the original master tapes, this record sounds and looks bloody amazing. 

Even those who shy away from the genre will find this album to be an entertaining listen. Please ensure that you lend your eardrums at the superb Walk Tall.

A1 Shrimp Dance

A2 Kuro To Shiro

B1 Walk Tall

B2 Cat

B3 Romance