J-DIGS, the Project Broadcasting Nippon Columbia's Catalog to the World, to Reissue 6 Classic Wa-Jazz Titles on Analog Vinyl
As part of 'J-DIGS reissues', a project that broadcasts Japanese catalogs to the world, Nippon Columbia will reissue 6 classic Japanese jazz (Wa-Jazz) titles on analog vinyl on November 3, 2026. The lineup includes Norio Maeda's 'Alpha Ray' and Hiroshi Suzuki=Masahiko Togashi's 'Variation'. They feature gatefold jackets, newly written liner notes in Japanese and English, and will be released on color clear vinyl (with one exception).
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 22, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 22, 2026 at 11:34 (2 min after Collected)
From "J-DIGS reissues", a reissue project that broadcasts cutting-edge works from Nippon Columbia's catalog to the world, 6 classic Japanese jazz (Wa-Jazz) titles will be reissued on analog vinyl.
Releasing this time are 6 titles in total: the piano trio work "Alpha Ray" released in 1968 by genius arranger Norio Maeda; "Variation" by Hiroshi Suzuki, whose song "Romance" boasts worldwide popularity, teaming up with drummer Masahiko Togashi; renowned guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto's jazz-funk work "Our Time", and "One More" featuring Marcus Miller; Hiroshi Suzuki's crossover masterpiece "High-Flying"; and Shigeo Sekito's "Kareinaru Electone The Word", which is globally popular due to being sampled by artists like Travis Scott. The jackets feature a gatefold (double jacket) specification, and include newly written liner notes in both Japanese and English. With the exception of "Alpha Ray", the titles will be released on color clear vinyl.
Analog reissues from "J-DIGS reissues" are scheduled to continue in the future.
- J-DIGS reissues HP: https://columbia.jp/j-digs/reissues/
* "J-DIGS" is a project that broadcasts the appeal of catalogs owned by Nippon Columbia to the world.
[Product Information]
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Label: NIPPONOPHONE
Released and Sold by: Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
Norio Maeda Trio / Alpha Ray
COJY-9600 ¥4,950 (¥4,500 excluding tax)
Liner Notes: Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS/DEEP JAZZ REALITY)
Original Release: XMS-10009 (Feb 10, 1969)
A torrent of brilliance released from the fingertips. The art of the piano trio by a giant of arrangement.
Genius arranger Norio Maeda, who was praised as being able to "write different scores simultaneously with his right and left hands", welcomed his sworn friends Takeshi Inomata and Tatsuro Takimoto in 1968 to tackle his first piano trio work head-on as a pianist. This work coexists with the neat melodies typical of the new mainstream that led the jazz scene at the time, the experimental nature of utilizing a prepared piano, and the eccentric originality of stuffing as many as 7 microphones inside the piano. An important work that should be etched in Japanese jazz history, where the outstanding compositional ability as a composer/arranger and the sharp instinct as a performer are highly intertwined.
side A
1. Alpha Ray
2. Bye Bye Blackbird
3. Maria
4. Fifth Column
side B
1. Slobber
2. Star Eyes
3. Infinite
Recorded at Teichiku Kaikan Studio on October 3, 1968
Norio Maeda (Piano)
Tatsuro Takimoto (Bass)
Takeshi Inomata (Drums)
Hiroshi Suzuki=Masahiko Togashi Quintet / Variation (Clear Vinyl)
COJY-9601 ¥4,950 (¥4,500 excluding tax)
Liner Notes: Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS/DEEP JAZZ REALITY)
Original Release: XMS-10014 (May 10, 1969)
Intersecting vanguard and passion. An innovative work born from the collision of two exceptional personalities.
On one side is Hiroshi Suzuki, a trombonist who was so in demand that it was said, "If you want to record a good work, secure his schedule." On the other side is drummer Masahiko Togashi, who distinguished himself at a young age and was sweeping the jazz world from modern jazz to free jazz. The collision of these two personalities and talents created a new tide in the Japanese jazz scene. "Castle Cats", which goes back and forth between jazz-rock and free jazz; "Suzu No Uta", where Yuji Ohno's piano spins a beautiful melody amidst the sound of bells falling like rain; and "Passion", where each musician cuts in at acute angles—the entire piece is filled with originality and passion. In 1969, this work was considered the first time new jazz to free jazz was recorded/released in Japan. The tide of Japanese jazz shifted significantly from here.
side A
1. Castle Cats
2. Variation
side B
1. Suzu No Uta (Song of the Bell)
2. Alfie
3. Passion
Recorded on January 20 and February 3, 1969
Hiroshi Suzuki (Trombone)
Masahiko Togashi (Drums)
Yuji Ohno (Piano)
Jun Suzuki (Bass)
Tetsuo Fushimi (Trumpet)
Kiyoshi Sugimoto / Our Time (Clear Yellow Vinyl)
Releasing this time are 6 titles in total: the piano trio work "Alpha Ray" released in 1968 by genius arranger Norio Maeda; "Variation" by Hiroshi Suzuki, whose song "Romance" boasts worldwide popularity, teaming up with drummer Masahiko Togashi; renowned guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto's jazz-funk work "Our Time", and "One More" featuring Marcus Miller; Hiroshi Suzuki's crossover masterpiece "High-Flying"; and Shigeo Sekito's "Kareinaru Electone The Word", which is globally popular due to being sampled by artists like Travis Scott. The jackets feature a gatefold (double jacket) specification, and include newly written liner notes in both Japanese and English. With the exception of "Alpha Ray", the titles will be released on color clear vinyl.
Analog reissues from "J-DIGS reissues" are scheduled to continue in the future.
- J-DIGS reissues HP: https://columbia.jp/j-digs/reissues/
* "J-DIGS" is a project that broadcasts the appeal of catalogs owned by Nippon Columbia to the world.
[Product Information]
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Label: NIPPONOPHONE
Released and Sold by: Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
Norio Maeda Trio / Alpha Ray
COJY-9600 ¥4,950 (¥4,500 excluding tax)
Liner Notes: Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS/DEEP JAZZ REALITY)
Original Release: XMS-10009 (Feb 10, 1969)
A torrent of brilliance released from the fingertips. The art of the piano trio by a giant of arrangement.
Genius arranger Norio Maeda, who was praised as being able to "write different scores simultaneously with his right and left hands", welcomed his sworn friends Takeshi Inomata and Tatsuro Takimoto in 1968 to tackle his first piano trio work head-on as a pianist. This work coexists with the neat melodies typical of the new mainstream that led the jazz scene at the time, the experimental nature of utilizing a prepared piano, and the eccentric originality of stuffing as many as 7 microphones inside the piano. An important work that should be etched in Japanese jazz history, where the outstanding compositional ability as a composer/arranger and the sharp instinct as a performer are highly intertwined.
side A
1. Alpha Ray
2. Bye Bye Blackbird
3. Maria
4. Fifth Column
side B
1. Slobber
2. Star Eyes
3. Infinite
Recorded at Teichiku Kaikan Studio on October 3, 1968
Norio Maeda (Piano)
Tatsuro Takimoto (Bass)
Takeshi Inomata (Drums)
Hiroshi Suzuki=Masahiko Togashi Quintet / Variation (Clear Vinyl)
COJY-9601 ¥4,950 (¥4,500 excluding tax)
Liner Notes: Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS/DEEP JAZZ REALITY)
Original Release: XMS-10014 (May 10, 1969)
Intersecting vanguard and passion. An innovative work born from the collision of two exceptional personalities.
On one side is Hiroshi Suzuki, a trombonist who was so in demand that it was said, "If you want to record a good work, secure his schedule." On the other side is drummer Masahiko Togashi, who distinguished himself at a young age and was sweeping the jazz world from modern jazz to free jazz. The collision of these two personalities and talents created a new tide in the Japanese jazz scene. "Castle Cats", which goes back and forth between jazz-rock and free jazz; "Suzu No Uta", where Yuji Ohno's piano spins a beautiful melody amidst the sound of bells falling like rain; and "Passion", where each musician cuts in at acute angles—the entire piece is filled with originality and passion. In 1969, this work was considered the first time new jazz to free jazz was recorded/released in Japan. The tide of Japanese jazz shifted significantly from here.
side A
1. Castle Cats
2. Variation
side B
1. Suzu No Uta (Song of the Bell)
2. Alfie
3. Passion
Recorded on January 20 and February 3, 1969
Hiroshi Suzuki (Trombone)
Masahiko Togashi (Drums)
Yuji Ohno (Piano)
Jun Suzuki (Bass)
Tetsuo Fushimi (Trumpet)
Kiyoshi Sugimoto / Our Time (Clear Yellow Vinyl)
FAQ
「J-DIGS reissues」の和ジャズ名盤6タイトルの発売日はいつですか？
2026年11月3日です。
今回リイシューされる和ジャズのアナログ・レコードにはどのような作品が含まれますか？
前田憲男トリオの『アルファ・レイ』、鈴木弘＝富樫雅彦クインテットの『ヴァリエイション』、杉本喜代志の『アワー・タイム』など計6タイトルが含まれます。
今回再発されるレコードの仕様の特長は何ですか？
ジャケットがゲートフォールド（ダブルジャケット）仕様で、新規ライナーノーツが日本語と英語で掲載されています。また、『アルファ・レイ』を除くタイトルはカラー・クリア・ヴァイナルでのリリースとなります。
前田憲男トリオの『アルファ・レイ』のオリジナルリリース日はいつですか？
1969年2月10日です。
「J-DIGS」とはどのようなプロジェクトですか？
日本コロムビアが保有するカタログの魅力を世界に向けて発信するプロジェクトです。