The Famous Sound of Three Blind Mice Vol. 1 2-LP

Label: Impex, 1973-79

Since Impex Records started remastering and re-releasing the legendary albums of the Japanese jazz label Three Blind Mice, audiophile jazz fans around the world have been hopefully waiting for the loving special treatment of a compilation - not just any compilation, but the ultimate compilation of the label's best tracks, selected in 1998 by label founder Takeshi "Tee" Fujii and released on CD under the title "The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice".
Now the time has finally come, and the exquisite best-of album is available for the first time on vinyl in the
quality
it deserves
as a double LP.
Fujii's selection, which can rightly be regarded as canonical, drew on the most brilliant and productive period of the Tokyo label in the 1970s, when Japan's jazz scene suddenly came to life with the country's own energy and devotion. Aqua Marine" begins with the 1973 album "Blow Up" by cellist Isao Suzuki. Here the bar is set high right at the beginning: Suzuki's ludicrous cello playing and the extatically psychedelic sound of his quartet hardly let you sit still. And immediately thereafter follows Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, one of the biggest names on the label. His bluesy grooving "Midnight Sugar" from the 1974 album of the same name has meanwhile become a true classic.
"The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice".
The analog remastering of the original tapes was done by Bernie Grundman Mastering of Chris Bellman. Anyone who knows Three Blind Mice knows what excellent material Bellman was allowed to work with, because perfectly made recordings (most of which were made by sound engineer Yoshihio Kannari) have always been of the utmost importance to this label. Chris Bellman tickles out the last of the tapes with sensitivity: whether opulent sounds or chamber music instrumentation, ambient sound or intimate miking, fine details or the great balance - nothing is lost here, on the contrary. Warm and transparent sound, silky bass and crystal clear highs. And on top of that, both LPs sound like one piece from front to back, which is the highest art of mastering in such a compilation. All in all, there is only one thing you can say:
buy absolutely!
Mastering by Chris Bellman with Bernie Grundman Mastering in Los Angeles
, USA.
The double album comes on 180g heavy audiophile vinyl in a sturdy folding cover.

Tracklisting

1 Isao Suzuki Quartet - Aqua Marine
2 Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Midnight Sugar
3 Tatsuya Takahashi & Tokyo Union - Midnight Sunrise
4 Ayako Hosokawa - The Lady Is A Tramp
5 Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd - La Fiesta

1 Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - The Way We Were
2 Takashi Mizuhashi Quartet - When A Man Loves A Women
3 Masaru Imada & George Mraz - Alone Together
4 Shoji Yokouchi Trio +1 - Willow Weep For Me
5 Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Misty