{"product_id":"masaru-imada-quartet-now","title":"Masaru Imada Quartet – Now!!","description":"\u003cp\u003eMasaru Imada is a Japanese pianist and composer whose work spans hard bop, modal jazz, and fusion. His career timeline shows his central role in Japan’s jazz scene: from his early work in the 1970s to his prolific output on the Three Blind Mice label, where albums like “Green Caterpillar” established him as a leading voice in Japanese jazz piano. His trio work demonstrated technical command and a distinctive approach to post-bop piano that incorporated both American jazz tradition and Japanese musical elements. He collaborated extensively with Japanese jazz musicians including Isao Suzuki and Takeshi Inomata, while also working with visiting American artists. His leadership and sideman work on Three Blind Mice helped define the label’s sound during its most creative period. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/nerdyjazz.com\/artists\/masaru-imada\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eNerdy Jazz\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded in 1977 at Epicurus Studio, Tokyo, \u003cem\u003eNow!!\u003c\/em\u003e captures Masaru Imada in a dynamic quartet setting, channeling the exploratory post-bop sensibility that defined Three Blind Mice’s golden years. The album balances driving rhythmic passages with lyrical piano work and melodic horn lines, creating a deeply immersive listening experience. This reissue revives the original analog warmth and dynamic presence with meticulous Bernie Grundman mastering.  — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzmessengers.com\/en\/107276\/imada-masaru\/quartet-now#:~:text=Imada%20Masaru\u0026amp;text=Recorded%20in%201977%20at%20Epicurus,with%20meticulous%20Bernie%20Grundman%20mastering.\u0026amp;text=Now!!,-Black%20Slide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eJazz Messengers\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNow!!\u003c\/em\u003e by Masaru Imada was the second album released by the fledgling Three Blind Mice label and the pianist's first leader album for the label. All four tunes are Imada's original compositions. The two slow numbers – \"Nostalgia\" and \"The Shadow of the Castle\" show his lyrical, \"quiet but emotional,\" qualities. \"Alter\" is an adventurous tune whose focus is on free improvisation while \"Gehi Dorian\" is a modal composition as the title suggests. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.soundohm.com\/product\/now-lp-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSoundOhm\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2025 Japan reissue\u003cbr\u003e180g Vinyl Premium Limited Edition\u003cbr\u003eRemastering \u0026amp; Cutting: Bernie Grundman\u003cbr\u003eOriginal reprint liner notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z2mwCoHZXpU?si=BFIRuKX50ldO75rW\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Three Blind Mice\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo\u003cbr\u003eReissued: 2025 \/ Original release: 1970\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Jazz\u003cbr\u003eStyle: Modal, Free Improvisation, Post Bop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: Japanese Jazz \/\/ Three Blind Mice\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Blind Mice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303876645022,"sku":"4547366751895","price":70.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/files\/quartet-now.jpg?v=1766213973","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/products\/masaru-imada-quartet-now","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}