Hideto Kanai Group - Q (1971) [2007 SACD]

The sixth album released by Three Blind Mice turned the spotlight on Hideto Kanai a veteran bassist who had been pursuing a very progressive, unique and uncompromising kind of jazz since the early 1960s. With his passion for educating young musicians and adventurous nature, Kanai has drawn some comparisons to another great leader, Charles Mingus, whom he respected.

The four performances in this album are all free-oriented and may be challenging for some listeners, but they riveting, fascinating, and ultimately satisfying. The opening and closing numbers were actually quite "composed." In an interesting collaboration with contemporary composers (from the world of classical music), Shuko Mizuno wrote "April" and Hiroshi Nanatsuya wrote "Meditation" specially for this group.

Tracks:

01. April Song For Kanai, Zui-Zui-Zui-Du-Tubadaba
02. Q
03. Kaleidoscope
04. Meditation

Personnel:

Kosuke Mine, Allan Praskin - alto saxophone
Masamichi Suzuki - trumpet
Tadayuki Harada - baritone saxophone
Choyo Kanda - xylophone
Masayuki Takayanagi - guitar
Hiroshi Koizumi - flute
Hideto Kanai - bass
Motohiko Hino, Hiroshi Yamazaki - drums