Akira Miyazawa & Soul Leon Karajishi Botan: Soul Tenor & Flute Ninkyouden

🗻 SOUND FUJI / KING Jazz RE:Generation album! 🎷
Selected by Yusuke Ogawa (Universounds). High quality download available for the first time!
- Artist: Akira Miyazawa + Soul Leon
- Title: Karajishi Botan
- Label: King Records
- Original release year: 1969
- Original catalog number: SKK-538
"Karajishi Botan" is a rare and wonderful masterpiece by the great saxophonist Akira Miyazawa—renowned for his deeply evocative jazz works inspired by Japan's landscape, such as "Yamame", "Iwana", and "Kiso." This time, he turns his attention to themes from “ninkyo movie songs,” enka, and military song, with all tracks arranged into jazz-rock and rare groove style by the brilliant Masao Yagi.
The earthy flute leads the way in “Abashiri Bangaichi,” infused with a flavor reminiscent of Ethiopian funk. “Ruten” features a Latin jazz-rock arrangement with striking conga and vibraphone interplay. And “Zatoichi Komoriuta” opens with a killer drum break, unfolding into a silky, sensual groove laced with rich saxophone lines. Each track forms part of a mystifying yet captivating Japanese  groove sound spectacle that radiates a unique presence.
While the full personnel for the mysterious unit “Soul Leon” remains unknown, the tight sonic quality and powerful groove suggest the possibility that this recording dates to just before the formation of Sound Ltd. in 1969.
Enjoy!
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SOUND FUJI explores King Records' legendary catalog and unearths exceptional, rare and unknown musical gems from Japan. King Records has been releasing music since 1931. Follow 180g-soundfuji.bandcamp.com for weekly updates and amazing music discoveries, and dig into the archives of one of the most prestigious labels in Japan!
KING Jazz RE:Generation is a series of digital compilations and albums exploring King Records' prestigious jazz catalog, carefully selected by Japanese jazz expert Yusuke Ogawa.
Yusuke Ogawa has been running the Universounds store in Tokyo since 2001, specializing in jazz and second-hand, rare, and collector records. He is also a reissue supervisor, label manager, DJ, and music writer. Known for his vast musical knowledge, eye for detail, and archival skills, Ogawa has worked on more than 250 reissues and compilations – including the highly praised Deep Jazz Reality and Project Re:Vinyl series. He is the co-author of the Wa-Jazz Disc Guide and the Independent Black Jazz of America books.