Isao Suzuki - New (1998)

Another quick post for today as I stumbled across another Isao Suzuki album that we didn't previously cover. Recorded live in 1998 on 2 separate occasions at the Aketa No Mise club in Tokyo, New was released on the backend of Isao's career as the Isao Suzuki Group. Joining Isao we have guitarist Takayuki Kato (tracks 2-4) and drummer Shota Koyama. Track 5 also features pianist Yoriyuki Harada.

This one is relatively straightforward throughout but does have some moments that venture into the free jazz realm. Isao opens with a solo bass tune "Alone Together" and the rest of the trio joins in for "Blues for Isao" next. "Jump Monk Jump" has a nice tempo to it followed by "Yesterday" that brings the tempo way back down. "1998 All Open" is 21-minutes long and is the most improvised tune of the bunch. A nearly solo version of "Summertime" closes things out for this one. 

Nothing groundbreaking here necessarily, but for the sake of thoroughness, wanted to pass it along.