SSJ and Swing Journal

Just received word that SSJ Records' three April releases by Carole Simpson, Leslie Lewis and Gerard Hagen, and Kurt Reichenbach all received rave reviews in the May issue of Japan's prestigious Swing Journal, with the latter two scoring five stars (tops) and Simpson's hitting just shy of that with 4 1/2. Can't help kvelling for Yasuo Sangu and Toshio Kobari who are friends/associates of mine, and who also oversee operation of the label.

Now let's just hope that the critical groundswell is large enough so that some or all of these terrific artists might be able to record again for the label and maybe even perform in Japan on the strength of these excellent reviews. (More info on the releases below on this blog).

Tokorode: They still have music in Japan!

More new (DUE APRIL 15) from SSJ Records

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NEW FROM SSJ - DUE MAY 15

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HERE'S THE SECOND VOLUME OF SSJ RECORDS' NICE PRICE SAMPLERS: SINGIN' SWINGIN' JAZZIN'. BUT THE PRICE ISN'T THE ONLY NICE THING ABOUT THIS RELEASE: ENLARGE THE BACK OF THE JACKET, AND YOU'LL NOTE THAT SIX OF THESE TRACKS, INCLUDING THE BEVERLY KENNEY, CAROL SLOANE, PINKY WINTERS/RICHARD RODNEY BENNETT, DICK NOEL, DENISE DONATELLI, AND JOHNNY HOLIDAY ARE MAKING THEIR APPEARANCE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME. (TOMORROW, MORE ABOUT THE NEW SSJ CAROLE SIMPSON RELEASE)

NEW CAROLE SIMPSON RELEASE - DUE APRIL 15

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Liner notes and track list for just-released Carole Simpson CD.

Tomorrow, more about the new Kurt Reichenbach CD from SSJ Records

Let's hear it for the Zorchster!

Hear
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Hear Hear
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I don't know of another blog in the universe that presents any more fascinating and offbeat tracks than http://zorchv38.blogspot.com/ . I mean. . .has anyone ever uploaded anything more discographically amazing than these two Blossom Dearie cuts? To get to the bottom of the story behind these sides, scroll down part of the way down his page. That is, if you can ever get there without being sidetracked by all the other zorch-i-riffic stuff.