'Altered States are improvised group who pursue 16 years as same members -Uchihashi, Nasuno, Yoshigaki in Japan. This work consists of all improvisations, no overdub, no edit. You will be surprised to listen this telepathic improvisation. Their play is more instant compositions as their playing than improvisation... All music improvised by Altered States. Altered States are Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar), Nasuno Mitsuru (bass), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, percussions, trumpet.) Recorded, mixed and mastered by Matsumura Kazuyuki a.k.a ZAK. Produced by Altered States and Numata Jun.'

Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone sax), Goto Atsushi (trombone) and Suga Dairo (piano). 'Blacksheep is a trio group, consisting of Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone sax player in Shibusashirazu Orchestra, Fujii Satoko Orchestra, etc.), Goto Atsushi (trombone player in 'Tokyo Out', 'Denki Slime', etc.) and Suga Dairo (pianist in Shibusashirazu Orchestra, 'Real Blue', etc.). Sometime very beautiful, sometime intense improvisation and sometime humoresque and very serious, this, their first work is made up of protean improvisation and composition.'

Andrew d'Angelo : alto sax, bass clarinet, baritone sax. Anders Hana : electric guitar, effects. Morten J. Olsen : drum kit. Mike Pride : voice, effects, screaming. Recorded November 2004 Brooklyn. 'This is their milsetone studio work! Is not only intense but also feathery.'

Otomo Yoshihide (guitar, turntables), Hirose Junji (sax), Kato Hideki (bass, voice), Uemura Masahiro (drums) and Yamataka Eye (voice). 'This CD includes unissued live performances and studio recordings (12, 13) right after Otomo formed Ground Zero. This happened before the release of their first album, called 'Ground-Zero' (God Mountain). Their playing is in the rough and sound quality is not quite best, but this materials should be kept a record of their intence performances of earlier Ground Zero for future ages. This is remembrance of fresh-poisonous earlier Ground Zero after interval of 15 years.'

Mats Gustafsson baritone saxophone solo . 'Catapult of solitudes... reflections and directions, considerations...illusions...moments of minds. FIRE and Joy !Sacrifices..sharing... Music and playing is living it!!! ............. Mats Gustafsson Amazing his blowing technic is in Memory of a specific Silence and Catapult. Torparvisa, composed by Gunde Johansson inspired Albert Ayler to write Ghosts while living in Stockholm back in 1962. Mats plays very beautiful overtones in this tune. His daughter composed very beautiful tunes, are The Light and The Nut. It is, Remember has a destractive Rockin' ending. In Otomo's masterpiece Flutter, Mats add his own interpretation. etc... His first only bariton sax solo work! KILLIN' CD!! '

Green Zone: Kato Hideki: bass, violin (on track 11). Otomo Yoshihide: electric guitar.Uemura Masahiro: drums. Recorded live by James Fei at Shinjuku Pit Inn. Tokyo, on september 30, 2004. All compositions and arrangements by Kato Hideki.

CD audio + DVD video (NTSC / Region All).'This trio was formed by Imai Kazuo (guitar), Suzuki Manabu (handmade electronics), and Ito Atsuhiro (optron) in July, 2005. I'm using a controllable instrument along with uncontrollable electronic sound devices that may make the music somewhat difficult to remain stable, yet its context of where I am now is the one that is similar to jazz'. Imai Kazuo, from linernotes. Imai Kazuo is the one and only graduate of Takayanagi Masayuki's private guitar school. He played with Kosugi Takehisa's Taj Mahal Travellers or Takayanagi's New Direction, and what's more, he played with Lee Konitz, Arther Doyle, Irene Schweizer, Barre Phillips, and so on. He also organize Marginal Consort and Imai Kazuo Trio recently. Ito Atsuhiro plays optron. He use a handmade fluorescent light as a instrument. He named it optron. Optron strike the intense noise. He control it as feedback noise or low frequency. He was also a owner of the legendary art space called Off-Site. Off-Site familiarized Onkyo music as Otomo Yoshihide, Sachiko-M, Sugimoto Taku, Nakamura Toshimaru, and so on. Suzuki Manabu is actually a engineer of electronic instrument for artists but recently he plays his own handmade electronics. His handmade instrument is very interesting and exciting. The sound is strange and hypnotic, not any old noise, it's his style. He collaborate with various artist, musician and dancer.

Umedu Kazutoki (alto sax, soprano sax, bass-clarinet, clarinet). 'Enka is a style of Japanese popular song roughly corresponding to American blues and country music, French chanson and Italian canzone. The sound of enka is deeply rooted in the souls of Japanese people, and famous enka songs continue to be sung and hummed wherever this music exists. In this album, Umezu's exceptional sensitivity and taste combine with the world of enka, swirl and eddy, and explode before our eyes. This music has excellent circulation; it leaps with energy. Here, Japan has created a singular kind of human music.' Harada Kazunori (excerpt from liner note)

Voice and theremin solo. 'Makigami Koichi is one of best voice performer in the world. Moon Ether is his improvisation of voice and theremin except 1 & 11 are Asian folksong. This works includes his marvelous Khoomii singing -double voice, humor, free theremin playing, a taste of impromptu talent, sound effect, etc... Shadowlike, the theremin sings. The ether dances Makigami Koichi.Makigami Koichi ; voice, throat, theremin with moogerfooger. Recorded and mixed by Makigami Koichi, dec, 2005 - feb, 2006 at 1714 studio, Atami. Mastered by Makigami Koichi. Produced by Makigami Koichi & Numata Jun. All compositions by Makigami Koichi, except 1 & 11 Tuva folk song.

Keiki Midorikaw (cello, bass), Masahiko Togashi (percussion, drums), Masayuki Takayanagi (guitar) et Masahiko Sato (piano). Recorded on January 16, 1976 at Nichi-futsu kaikan, Tokyo. The original LP of this work has duo with Takayanagi on A side and duo with Sato on B side. But in the concert, Midorikawa played duo with Togashi about 40 minutes, afterward he played duo with Takayanagi and with Sato both about 20 minutes actually. It didn't include Togashi duo on the original LP. This time doubtmusic found a tape of Midorikawa - Togashi duo, 2CD set convey all performance that day as a complete version. The tapes which are used on those CDs are different from the original master tape, and we re-mastered them, so the quality is higher than the original LP. Midorikawa's free improvisation that playing duo with each Togashi, Takayanagi, Sato is inventive and in consequence, each music is very beautiful. Those music are prime free-jazz that quietness and intensity seem like spindrift.'Disc 11. Midorikawa - Togashi duo (previously unreleased) - Dichorragia nesimachus Disc 21. Midorikawa - Takayanagi duo - An die Prinzessin die aus dem Maulbeerbaum geboren wurde 2. Midorikawa - Sato duo - Der Todeskampf am Maderospatch

'This is the first cd of Nasuno Mitsuru a.k.a. 'Groove Master', top bass player of Tokyo underground music field. The years for the recordings are from 1998 to 1999 as the title. M3 & M4 were included in 'Improvised Music from Japan' 10 CD set, this 'Prequel...' CD is a kind of complete version. All tunes are composed - improvised - effected experimentally but we can feel a kind of mellowness, tenderness, humor, etc. Here it is singular work. Also note remarkable style of each collaborated musician (indicated song listing). The last tune, bonus track (+1) is the demo, suggest his next work. Nasuno Mitsuru: Nasuno plays as bass player with Altered States, Korekyojin, Unbeltipo Trio, The World Heritage, Bad Knoid etc.'1. The Next Minute (Watanabe Michihisa, Nasuno Mitsuru)Kido Natsuki (guitar)Masuko Tatsuki (alpha-juno cello)Otomo Yoshihide (turntable).Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, voice, programming) 2. Before The Rain (Nasuno)Masuko Fumie (vocal)Samm Bennett (wave drum)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, programming)3. Motai (Nasuno)Samm Bennett (wave drum)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, keyboard, voice, programming, etc.)4. Karamel (Nasuno)Isoda Osamu (guitar, voice)Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drum, percussion)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, programming, etc.)5. The Mists (Watanabe, Nasuno)Masuko Tatsuki (organ, drum)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, voice, programming, drum)6. SB (Nasuno)Tanaka Yumiko (gidayu shamisen, voice)Nasuno Mitsuru (voice)7. Beyond The Cross (Watanabe, Nasuno)Otomo Yoshihide (turntable)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, guitar, voice)8. Mobile Syndrome ver.0302 (Nasuno)Minakata Michiko (keyboard)Numata Jun (noises)Nasuno Mitsuru (bass, voice, programming, etc.)

Yamamoto Seiichi (guitar, misc.), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, percussion). 'Namba Jazz is the improvisation duet by Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, percussion) and Yamamoto Seiichi (guitar, misc.). Namba of Namba Jazz means not an area in Osaka but means Namba walking. And Jazz of Namba Jazz is not jazz but is actually Jazu.Namba Jazz has performed gigs 4 times in Japan. This cd is consisted great 10 tunes what selected in 3 gigs. The guitar playing by Yamamoto has a wide variety of the sound. He keeps a spark of genius and has never sounds the cliche of improvisation. He is genius for music absolutely. The drum and percussion master, Yoshigaki make the texture of Namba Jazz sound and he seems to look beyond Yamamoto's intimate feelings. His miraculous Fill-in or momentum of musical scene changes reflect his versatile in improvised music. Each of their various musical projects and groups, -Rovo Para, Rashinban, Omoide Hatoba, Orquesta Nudge! Nudge!, Vincent Atmicus, Altered States, ex-Boredoms, ex-Modern Choki Chokis, etc., - are innumerable in this space, and what's more, they challenge to create the original sound. We would like you to listen the front line of improvised music, unrivaled sound of Namba Jazz !!'

'Itaru Oki (trumpet), Yoshiaki Fujikawa (alto sax), Keiki Midorikawa (cello, bass, piano), Gozo Yoshimasu (poetry reading on 5). We are very glad to inform that a long time out of printed Off Beat label LP is reprinted on CD. Itaru Oki visited Paris, France in the 70s and when he came back to Japan temporarily in 75, he organized a elite free jazz troop and recorded in studio. 'Phantom Note' is his 3rd album, more straight, heavier and flamed out free jazz than experimental music part of his 1st 'Satsujin Kyoshitsu (Murder Class)' or 2nd 'Shirasagi (Egret)'. Especially, the tune called 'Kodai Tenmondai (Ancient Observatory)' which Gozo Yoshimasu read his poet has a vigorous voice and playing, and it will move your heart surely. The masterpiece on 75 in Japan.'

'This is the collaborative masterpiece of the 3-piece unit, sim (Oshima Teruyuki on guitar and composition, Ootani Yoshio on computer, electronics, etc, and Uemura Masahiro on drums) and Otomo Yoshihide (turntables, self-made synthesizer). The noise of Otomo sharply incises the unique sound of sim, where Uemura's controlled roaring drumming sets an main axis on Oshima's precise rhythmical composition, Oshima's the chord cuttings beats minimally and the electronics of Ootani give extreme voltage. Both of their mastering of some tunes procedure of which once made back into analogue and the exquisite jacket cover seem to simbolize this distinct sound.'

Originally released in 1976 as an LP on Offbeat Records (ORLP-1009). Masayuki Takayanagi New Direction Unit. Masayuki Takayanagi: guitar. Kenji Mori: reeds. Nobuyoshi Ino: bass, cello. Hiroshi Yamazaki: percussion. Recorded live at Yasuda Seimei Hall, Tokyo, September 5, 1975. Remastered by Tsutomu Suto. 'Fragment I: Gradually Projection'. 'Fragment IV: Mass Projection'. 'Fragment V: Mass Projection'. All compositions by Masayuki Takayanagi. Includes liner notes by Teruto Soejima in Japanese and English (translation by Cathy Fishman).

'La Grima' (Tears) was performed on August 14, 1971, at the Genyasai festival in Sanrizuka, Japan. The first six minutes or so of this performance can be heard on the omnibus LP Genya (released on CD in 2004). This CD presents the complete, unedited version of the performance. As if to slash through the audience's scornful, jeering reaction to Takayanagi's opening remarks, the group launched into a fiercely convulsive performance. Despite having a variety of objects thrown at them, Takayanagi and the others kept on playing. They ended the performance to a storm of booing and shouts of 'Go home!' For this release it was meticulously remixed and then mastered. Thus, the performance of 'La Grima' by the newly-launched New Direction for the Art has been reborn in a fresher, more vivid form. The photos are from the scrapbook of Kenji Ishiguro, who was shooting on site in Sanrizuka at the time. Among them are a couple of rare shots in which Takayanagi can just be seen. The CD comes in a folding cardboard jacket.'

Imahori Tsuneo (guitars, devices) & Yoshida Tatsuya (drums, darbuka, voices, devices). 'This work was created by Yoshida Tatsuya and Imahori Tsuneo through a process consisting of composition and improvisation; and file exchange, overdubbing, and extensive editing on computer.' 'Japanese hyper duet works by Imahori Tsuneo and Yoshida Tatsuya. This work reveals their remarkable aptitude for music through their improvisation, composition, extensive editing and so on. Play it loud !'

Yoshida Tatsuya ! Imahori Tsuneo ! One of their miraculous duo result is their first CD Territory (dmf-112, 2006). This work, DOTS is even more overpowering, speed, ramified rhythm, edits, and so on. First, they recorded their improvised music in studio, then they overdubbed various sounds, edited the materials and mixed different effects into the tunes. This is the music for the prog rock, math rock, post rock fans. Dense and Fiery ! Imahori Tsuneo (guitars, bass guitar, devices). Yoshida Tatsuya (drums, percussion, voice, devices).

'This work shows Umezu's various musical talent. For example, Umezu changes Irish trad called The Star Of The County Down into Japanese fisherman's folktune by his own interpretation. Or while his recording, he find the way of blowing the highest tone what is limits of possibility of bass clarinet. This highest tone is in the tune called 1970, Umezu's masterpiece. And he expresses his love of Ainu traditional in the tune called Chakton. Chakton is a rhythm pattern of Ainu music. Umezu was inspired by Mukkuri, Ainu people's populer instrument, then he blow fake Mukkuri on bass-clarinet. This work also his first bass clarinet solo!'

'Muneomi Senju (ex-Boredoms a.k.a. V°redoms, Para, Utichipangoon, Combopiano etc.) and Tatsuhisa Yamamoto (Natsumen, Satoko Fujii 4tet, etc.) plays duo in various musical styles in this work - poly-rhythm, primitive groove, the wall of Onkyo, harmonic overtone, and so on. You will be amazed how their percussion playing have various pregnant tones. M4, re-mixed by Takuma Watanabe (Combopiano) has most intense tension. Cover by Tomoo Gokita's fantastic new art for this work. This is the masterpiece, we would like not only drums fan but all music lovers to listen ! Muneomi Senju - drums, percussion, electronics. Tatsuhisa Yamamoto - drums, metals, percussion, gong, odaiko drums.'

Guitar Solo performed by Otomo Yoshihide. Recorded on12th Octber 2004 @ Shinjuku Pit Inn, Tokyo.
First Otomo's guitar solo work. This work include beautiful acoustic pieces and intense electric pieces, recorded on 12th Oct, 2004 at Shinjuku Pit Inn and new studio recording piece.
1. Theme From Canary for Shiota Akihiko (Otomo/ acoustic)
2. Rig (Otomo/ electric)
3. Gomen for Togashi Shin (Otomo/ acoustic)
4. Mood Indigo (Ellington / Bigard / Mills / electric)
5. Kazahana for Somai Shinji (Otomo / acoustic)
6. Roulette (Otomo / electric)
7. Misty (E.Garner / acoustic)
8. Cylinder (Otomo / electric)
9. Lonely Woman (O. Coleman / acoustic)

'This is Otomo Yoshihide's second guitar solo release on doubtmusic. The concept of this work, however, is complely different from that of the first. Here, feedback sound issues from two amplifiers, each connected to one of two guitars placed on a tabletop. Due to this stereo effect, the feedback mutually interferes, producing beatlike fluctuations, creating black holes into which the sound suddenly disappears, sounding completely different depending on the position of the ears, creating the illusion that the sound is coming from only one speaker when the listener is in certain locations, and so on, thus turning into truly interactive music. Because these effects cannot be obtained unless the sound coming from the two amps mutually interferes, we recommend listening without earphones or headphones, through speakers, with the sound as loud as conditions allow. Depending on the positions of the speakers, the interference effect and sound image will surely differ as well. *Warning: To obtain the desired results, please listen through speakers at the highest volume possible. Please note, however, that Otomo Yoshihide and doubtmusic will accept no responsibility whatsoever for any resulting hearing loss.'

'Otomo Yoshihide (turntable), Ozeki Mikito (kirie), Mats Gustafsson (baritone saxophone from Mats Gustafsson's solo LP 'It Is All About' on Tyyfus label). Mastered by Jun Numata. Released to commemorate the exhibition Ensembles '09: With Records at Gallery 45-8, Tokyo, October 11-November 8, 2009. No cover, limited 800 copies, serial numbers. Otomo Yoshihide (turntables), Ozeki Mikito (cutout art) and Mats Gustafsson (baritone sax).'

Otomo New Jazz Orchestra with Otomo Yoshihide, Axel Dörner, Aoki Taisei, Tsugami Kenta, Okura Masahiko, Alfred Harth, Mats Gustafsson, Ishikawa Ko, Sachiko M, Unami Taku, Takara Kumiko, Cor Fuhler, Mizutani Hiroaki, Yoshigaki Yasuhiro, Nananan Kiriko, Otsu Makoto, Kahimi Karie, Hamada Mariko.
Recorded by Kondo Yoshiaki on 24th January 2005.
1. eureka (Jim O'rourke)
2. theme from canary (Otomo Yoshihide)
3. broken shadows (Ornette Coleman)
4. lost in the rain (Otomo / Kahimi Karie)
5. orange was the color of her dress, then blue silk (Charles Mingus) ? tails out (Otomo)
6. mayonaka no shizuka na kuroi kawa no ue ni ukabiagaru shiroi yuri no hana (Otomo / Karie)
7. a-shi-ta (Otomo / Hamada Mariko)

'ONJO's 2nd works is the covers of famous Eric Dolphy's Out To Lunch! Otomo's post-modern interpretation of Dolphy's compositions by Orchestra is very beautiful and intensive. Gazzelloni is translated to hardcore punk version, or Straight Up And Down ? Will Be Back is translated to improvisation that is swift to respond each other and most beautiful onkyo sound. This is the marvels of jazz! Otomo Yoshihide (guitar, conduct on 4), Axel Doerner (trumpet, slide trumpet), Aoki Taisei (trombone, bamboo flute), Tsugami Kenta (alto sax, soprano sax), Okura Masahiko (alto sax & tubes on 1, 3, 5), Alfred Harth (tenor sax, bass-clarinet, trumpet, misc), Mats Gustafsson (baritone sax), Ishikawa Ko (sho on 2, 4, 5), Sachiko M (sinewaves, contact mic), Nakamura Toshimaru (no-imput mixing board on 5), Unami Taku (computer on 1, 5), Takara Kumiko (vibraphone), Cor Fuhler (piano, inside piano), Mizutani Hiroaki (bass), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, percussion, trumpet) recorded by Kondo Yoshiaki on 26th January 2005 at GOK Sound L studio Tokyo. mixed by Kondo Yoshiaki at GOK Sound Aug 2005 except 3 by Kondo Yoshiaki and Otomo Yoshihide Sept 2005. mastered by Nakamura Toshimaru. cover designed by Sasaki Akira
Linernotes English translated by Ito Harunacover design : Sasaki Akiraphoto : (c) Moriyama Daido Shinjuku, 2004, produced by Otomo Yoshihide & Numata Jun

Since last year, those titles had been a hold by various matters but ONJO (Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra) Live CD are finally released at last. Those essential titles, 2CDs x 2 sets are organized various live performances and indicate the future ONJO. The sound of ONJO contains every connection between tone, onkyo, sonority, melody, rhythm and so on. Disc 1 : Lost In The Rain (Berlin), Out To Lunch (Tokyo), Playgirl BGM (Berlin + Tokyo), Double Command II (Tokyo), Single Command (Tokyo), Climbers High Opening (Tokyo). Disc 2 : Straight Up And Down > Mayonaka no Shizuka na Kuroi Kawa no Ue ni Ukabiagaru Shiroi Yuri no Hana (Kyoto), Namida kara Ashita e (Berlin), Double Command I (Tokyo), Hat And Beard (Nagoya). Members : Otomo Yoshihide (guitar, conduct), Kahimi Karie (vocal), Ishu Kayo (vocal), Margareth Kammerer (vocal), Axel Dörner (trumpet), Aoki Taisei (trombone, etc), Tsugami Kenta (alto sax, etc), Okura Masahiko (bass clarinett, etc), Alfred Harth (tenor sax, etc), Ishikawa Ko (sho), Sachiko M (sinewaves), Unami Taku (computer with objects), Takara Kumiko (vibraphone), Mizutani Hiroaki(bass), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, etc), Itoken (conduct) + Shinjuku 2 chome Orchestra, Kondo Yoshiaki (live sound).

Since last year, those titles had been a hold by various matters but ONJO (Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra) Live CD are finally released at last. Those essential titles, 2CDs x 2 sets are organized various live performances and indicate the future ONJO. The sound of ONJO contains every connection between tone, onkyo, sonority, melody, rhythm and so on. Disc 1 : Shichinin no Keiji (Berlin + Tokyo), Gazzelloni (Kyoto), Te recuerdo Amanda > Song For Che > Reducing Agent (Tokyo), Super Jetter (Berlin), ANODEONJO (Tokyo). Disc 2 : Lupin The Third -Theme of Walther (Berlin), Double Command 0 > Mayonaka no Shizuka na Kuroi Kawa no Ue ni Ukabiagaru Shiroi Yuri no Hana (Tokyo), Something Sweet, Something Tender (Berlin + Tokyo), Eureka > Climbers High Ending (Nagoya). Members: Otomo Yoshihide (guitar, conduct), Kahimi Karie(vocal), Ishu Kayo (vocal), Margareth Kammerer (vocal), Axel Dörner (trumpet), Joe Foster (trumpet, etc.), Aoki Taisei (trombone, etc), Tsugami Kenta (alto sax, etc), Okura Masahiko (bass clarinett, etc), Alfred Harth (tenor sax, etc), Hong Chulki (electronics), Choi Joonyong (electronics), Jin Sangtae (electronics), Ryu Hankil (electronics), Dickson Dee (computer), Ishikawa Ko (sho), Sachiko M (sinewaves), Ito Atsuhiro (optron), Unami Taku (computer with objects), Hannoda Taku (guitar), Oshima Teruyuki (guitar), Sato Yukie (guitar), Takara Kumiko(vibraphone), Mizutani Hiroaki (bass), Sugimoto Taku (6 string el-bass), Yoshigaki Yasuhiro (drums, etc), Ichitaku Yoshimitsu (percussion), Itoken(percussion, etc) + Shinjuku 2 chome Orchestra, Kondo Yoshiaki (live sound).