Pim

First out of two batches from Japan plus Khan Jamal’s Drum Dance to the Motherland that I picked up from a local seller. These arrived from Discogs seller Ella records. Very satisfied as usual: well packed and fair prices. Not like European or USA sellers that ask +30 E above the median price. And what I like most is there sincerity in grading. This Meditations sleeve got rated VG. With most EU sellers these days that means bent corners, edgewear, a cut out plus some ringwear. Now this is what VG looks like according to this Japanese seller

Does look pretty awesome. I wasn't aware his creativiness covered so many areas of art.

Scorpio issue that sounds okay.

Would love to have seen this trio.

Another great Sonny playing saxophone It has always surprised me that it still has none. Mal is still pretty popular in Japan but it's his Japanese recordings that are mostly hard to find.

They are great on any format

Both great records. On vinyl?

Well the end of the year deserves a special record and special drink. On the turntable is the one and only Reminiscent Suite by Mal Waldron featuring an all Japanese band. This might be my favorite record ever, my desert island number one. In the glass is a Westvleteren 12. A very special Belgian beer that has won multiple awards. Not without reason it’s delicious and I just don’t want to finish it. With this combination I could wish you a very happy and jazzy new year. Hopefully with some very nice reissues to come.

Mentioned a lot here in not without reason. This is a great record.

Wait till you get to know her 😆

nice soundtrack written by Mal Waldron. Dizzy 😍

I was 16 when I started and became addicted when I was 18 years old. I quit when I was 28 years old when my wife and I wanted to have kids (we succeeded in doing that, the same month). The fact that I NEEDED that cigarette to relax after a hard day's work, making an exam or having dinner, the fact I needed it to make my coffee taste like gulasch with paprika already annoyed me for a while. The fact that there were people making big money by making me hooked and sick, maybe even shortening my life with some years annoyed me some more for a while. The fact I did not own my own body anymore but had to listen to the nicotine calling, always thinking: do I have enough cigarettes with me, also irritated me. I have always been a sporty guy but my physical condition became worse and worse. I remember lifting a washing machine in a 3 story building moving a friend of my and I almost fainted as I had no breath..... It all wasn't enough to make me quit. I tried several times and became frustrated by my level of addiction. But I had always knew one thing: I wanted my son to grow up in a smoke free environment. I quit cold turkey and succeeded doing so. The first months were pretty hard but it became easier by the day and after a year it became feeling more and more like a liberation. I enjoy my coffee, my food and love making just as much as when I was a smoker. In fact: I enjoy them more as I could taste my coffee and food way better. And the love making.... well you could fill that in yourself From the day I quitted I picked up sporting a lot again. I started with jogging half a marathon 3 times a week. On this moment I practice CrossFit 4 times a week and attain several CrossFit games. I have never been in a better condition in my life and I like feeling that way. I probably have restored some of the damage done. Everybody has to know it for himself but I was done with smoking 5 years before I managed to quit. I think it's a good thing that governments try to do as much as they could to prevent people from starting. I don't like the role companies are playing trying to get people (and children) as hooked as possible and making money out of a product so deadly. Gheorghe, I am very happy you are still healthy and with us. And I hope you continue do so for a very long time! You are probably in a stage of your life now where you don't really think about quitting anymore and if smoking is bringing you comfort and joy do so. But I think every young smoker should try to quit as soon as possible. The old 'my grandma smoked and became 90 years old' is a bit of a fallacy ain't it? In Holland 25% of the smokers don't even reach the age of 65. On average they live 13 years shorter than a non smoker. That makes it worthwile for me being a non smoker. The other arguments I already mentioned.

Christmas present from my wife.

some more Takeo. The choice to make it a two LP set is a little pointless. Sounds very good of course. Great reissue series.

That might be my favorite Desmond. Such an excellent selection of songs played by a great band. Love that atmosphere.

Always a pleasure

It's Smile. The reissue is excellent. https://www.discogs.com/release/9033793-Takeo-Moriyama-Smile Just as good or even better than Egg Plants

one of those hidden treasures from the Japanese jazz scene. Takeo Moriyama is one hell of a drummer. His duets with Mal are also outstanding!

Yeah these series get both a vinyl and a cd release. This was a great quartet.