Rising Son, by Takuya Kuroda

Rising Son

by Takuya Kuroda

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Sam Tweaks Super happy this is getting a much requested repress, originals fetching crazy money on Discogs and Piri Piri is one of my most favourite tracks.

odirilemoloi This has to be my most wanted album as from its release it hit differently and `Takuya really did the most here. Jose James also did very well on that classic
Favorite track: Rising Son.

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Double Gatefold Vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
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	1.	Rising Son 04:43
	2.	Afro Blues 07:23
	3.	Piri Piri 07:04
	4.	Mala 05:59
	5.	Everybody Loves The Sunshine 09:25
	6.	Green & Gold 04:58
	7.	Sometime, Somewhere, Somehow 06:35
	8.	Call 09:14
	9.	Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Joe Armon-Jones Remix) 04:54

about

First Word Records is incredibly proud to bring you an exclusive vinyl-only re-issue of Takuya Kuroda’s highly-sought after album ‘Rising Son’.

‘Rising Son’ was first released on the seminal Blue Note Records imprint 10 years ago in 2014, with Takuya being the first Japanese artist to sign to the label. The record received widespread critical acclaim, hitting No.1 on Japan’s jazz charts at the time, with original copies now fetching hundreds of pounds on Discogs and the like. There has long been high demand for a re-press of this album, and we’re very pleased to say it’s finally here, a decade on.

The re-issue is to be released via London-based Worldwide Award-winning label First Word Records, who coincidentally celebrate their 20th year running in 2024. First Word released Takuya’s highly-revered previous two albums, ‘Fly Moon Die Soon’ (2020) and ‘Midnight Crisp’ (2022).

For those that don’t know, Takuya Kuroda is a Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter and musician, who was also a longtime player for Akoya Afrobeat as well as DJ Premier’s BADDER band. Initially playing on the Japanese circuit with his trombonist brother, Takuya went on to relocate to New York City, where he has largely remained to this day, becoming a prominent player in the jazz scene there.

The original album featured several Roy Ayers covers, including the all-time classic ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, and this 2024 pressing also includes a brand new remix of the track from keys player & producer, Joe Armon-Jones. Joe is hugely-acclaimed in his own right as a solo artist, as well as his recent collaborations with Mala (who has a track named after him on this very project, as Takuya was influenced heavily by his 2012 Brownswood album ‘Mala in Cuba’), and as an integral member of the legendary Ezra Collective, winners of the 2023 Mercury Music Prize in the UK.

Flitting between the genres of jazz fusion, soul, r&b, hip hop and afrobeat, the album was predominantly produced by a previous Takuya collaborator, vocalist José James, while also featuring phenomenal accompaniment from Nate Smith (drums), Solomon Dorsey (bass), Corey King (trombone) and Kris Bowers (keys).

In the words of José James, “no one sounds like Takuya. His tone, warmth and most of all his storytelling have inspired me for years. His writing is soulful, modern, and effortlessly bridges the gap between jazz and soul, and between history and tomorrow.”

Previous reviews and accolades for Takuya’s third album ‘Rising Son’ include AllMusic’s Best of 2014, NPR Music, Jazz Weekly, Leo Weekly, All About Jazz, Icon, Relix, Pop Matters, Jay Z’s Life + Times, WBGO, Upscale, The Revivalist, East Bay Express and The Jazz Line, to name just a few.

—

“Unlike a lot of jazz records I hear these days that sound like "then," this particular session feels like "now." Featuring a cool hybrid of electronic textures, modern beat science, R&B horn stabs, and short bursts of laid-back improvisational funkiness, Takuya Kuroda and his stellar band bring a fresh energy and flavor to today's instrumental music-making. (It) has a slow funky groove that just won't quit.” Nick Francis, NPR Music.

“Kuroda delves deep into a '70s fusion, funk, and Afro-beat-influenced sound that is at once contemporary and vintage in approach... it's Kuroda's assured, dynamic trumpet playing that grabs the spotlight... Kuroda reveals himself to be a gifted melodicist with an abiding trust in groove, not to mention trumpet chops and charisma to spare. Ultimately, Rising Son isn't just Kuroda's major-label debut, it's a major artistic statement.” AllMusic.

credits

released January 26, 2024

Please note - this album is not available digitally on Bandcamp due to the terms of the license.

license

about

Takuya Kuroda New York, New York

shows

Apr 23

Lodge Room

Los Angeles (LA), CA
Apr 24

Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Santa Cruz, CA
Apr 25

The New Parish

Oakland, CA
Apr 30

Jack London Revue

Portland, OR
Jun 4

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

Seattle, WA
Jun 5

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

Seattle, WA

discography

Rising Son

Jan 2024
Midnight Crisp

Oct 2022
Fly Moon Die Soon

Sep 2020
Fade

Aug 2020
Change

Jul 2020
Zigzagger

Oct 2016

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