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- The Analog Vault // Essential Listening -

This 1976 album by revered trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki has become one of the most in-demand Japanese jazz albums of all-time, and with good reason. Originally recorded in October 1975 at Nippon Columbia Studio with Suzuki’s longtime friends - Hiromasa Suzuki on keyboard, Kunimitsu Inaba on bass, Takeru Muraoka on saxophone and Akira Ishikawa on drums - their legendary two-day session resulted in a funky, five-track jazz fusion wonder. Headlined by Suzuki’s savvy trombone solos, Cat is a fantastic showcase for his extraordinary breath work and exceptional dexterity as a player. From “Shrimp Dance” to “Walk Tall” (a remarkable reinterpretation of Cannonball Adderley’s track) to “Romance,” Suzuki and his band deliver slinking and soulful stunners that curl and unfurl like an outstretched feline in the sunshine. - The Analog Vault

We Release Jazz is ecstatic to announce the official reissue of Hiroshi Suzuki’s glorious jazz-fusion-funk holy grail Cat (originally released in 1976), sourced from the original masters and available on limited edition 180 gram vinyl mastered at half speed for full audiophile sound, (which) comes with liner notes by Teruo Isono. Cat was recorded in October 1975 at at Nippon Columbia Studio, while Hiroshi Suzuki was visiting his home country of Japan after moving to Las Vegas in 1971 to play with Buddy Rich and perfect his craft. Back on his old stomping grounds, the man known as Neko (Cat) immediately reunited with his dear friends for an epic two day session of groove magic. The chemistry was still intact. The skills and style had grown. The result, Cat, is a smooth masterpiece, a deep and soulful affair where stunning trombone solos by Hiroshi Suzuki flirt with Takeru Muraoka’s heavenly saxophone and the sensual rhythm section of Hiromasa Suzuki (keyboards), Kunimitsu Inaba (bass), and Akira Ishikawa (drums). - Label