Heta JAZZ! Syouwa Senzen Inchiki Band 1929-1940 (Various Artists)

Originally recorded on 78 rpm discs during the 1920’s, this collection of pre-war Japanese jazz contains some of the earliest recordings of jazz from Japan. Inspired by records brought into the country by US soldiers, Japanese musicians attempted to emulate the then hitherto unheard sounds of New Orleans – with varying degrees of success. Yet many of these records would be distributed, sold, and played at night clubs across the country; serving as the soundtrack to the early years of Japan’s Showa-era. These recordings certainly have historical significance, and as outdated as they may be, you won’t be able to stop yourself from tapping your foot. It’s no wonder that Haruomi Hosono has expressed his love for these records! Album opener “Sing me a Song of Araby” is a Japanese cover of the theme song from 1927’s The Garden of Allah. The song failed to chart in it’s native United States, but is perhaps one of the first examples of a song being ‘big