Back in 2014, Japanese trumpeter Takuya Kuroda was the first Japanese artist to sign with the legendary jazz label Blue Note. Kuroda’s initial release for the label was exactly this album – Rising Son, now being reissued by the London, England specialist label First Word Records.
Kuroda is a Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter and musician, who was also a longtime player for Akoya Afrobeat as well as DJ Premier’s BADDER band. Initially playing on the Japanese circuit with his trombonist brother, Takuya went on to relocate to New York City, where he has largely remained to this day, becoming a prominent player in the jazz scene there.
The reissue came as this album, upon its initial release reached number one on the Japanese jazz albums charts and became one of the very sought-after albums among the collectors.
As was the case with most Kuroda releases, the album was full of Kuroda’s take on various jazz-related genres, from fusion to R&B, soul, afrobeat, and hip-hop, including a number of covers of Roy Ayers, one of the masters of such crossovers.
Yet, throughout, Kuroda presents his own take on all of the above genres, with some incredible playing by himself and all the musicians involved, with an excellent production by vocalist José James.
Along with those who have missed this album the first time around, it serves as an excellent introduction for those not initiated to Kuroda’s music.
