Impex has always had a special place in their hearts for Shoji Yokouchi’s Greensleeves. Standards, original tunes, and traditional pieces (like the title track), are interpreted in unexpectedly funky, soulful ways. The master guitarist is given immeasurable support by organist Yuri Tashiro. Her playing is alternately moody and spry, fiery and funky. Rare Three Blind Mice Jazz Gem!

• Limited Edition
• 100% Analog All-tube Mastering
• Cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
• 180 Gram Vinyl Pressed at RTI, USA
• Deluxe Cover inside a resealable plastic sleeve

Impex has always had a special place in their hearts for Shoji Yokouchi’s Greensleeves. Standards, original tunes, and traditional pieces (like the title track), are interpreted in unexpectedly funky, soulful ways. The master guitarist is given immeasurable support by organist Yuri Tashiro. Her playing is alternately moody and spry, fiery and funky. Impex’s vinyl reissue preserves the original’s clear, exacting sound (check out the bass on Tashiro’s organ!) while improving surface noise and presentation. This rare gem of Tee Fujii’s repertoire is yet another entertaining listen for Three Blind Mice fans from their friends at Impex Records!

Upon his death in 1996, many within the jazz community heaped fulsome praise on Shoji Yokouchi. To this day, he remains one of Japan's finest jazz guitarists; a dexterous and inventive guitarist capable of playing immaculate, blues-inspired solos on both electric and acoustic guitars. Proof of his skills is provided by this reissue of Greensleeves, an album he recorded in 1978 alongside his regular "Trio" and organist Yuri Tashiro. Musically, the album offers an attractive blend of jazz-funk, "trad" and fusion tracks laden with impeccable solos from both Yokouchi and Tashiro. The best combination of the two players' styles can be found on "Misty", a fine blend of undulating fairground organ flourishes and evocative Spanish guitar.

Musicians:

Kunimitsu Inaba, bass
Hajime Ishimatsu, drums
Shoji Yokouchi, electric guitar, folk guitar, gut guitar
Yuri Tashiro, Hammond organ

Track Listing:

Side A
1. Willow Weep For Me
2. Moanin'
3. Misty
4. Drink Up Your Vodka Martini

Side B
1. New Orleans Sunday
2. Greensleeves
3. Your Watch Is Ten Minutes Slow

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫