Takuya Kuroda – Rising Son

‘Rising Son’ was first released on the seminal Blue Note Records imprint in 2014, with Takuya being the first Japanese artist to sign to the label. The record received widespread critical acclaim, hitting No.1 on Japan’s jazz charts at the time.

The original album featured several Roy Ayers covers, including the all-time classic ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, and the 2024 pressing also includes a new remix of the track from keys player & producer, Joe Armon-Jones.

Flitting between the genres of jazz fusion, soul, r&b, hip hop and afrobeat, the album was predominantly produced by a previous Takuya collaborator, vocalist José James, while also featuring phenomenal accompaniment from Nate Smith (drums), Solomon Dorsey (bass), Corey King (trombone) and Kris Bowers (keys).

Previous reviews and accolades for Takuya’s third album ‘Rising Son’ include AllMusic’s Best of 2014, NPR Music, Jazz Weekly, Leo Weekly, All About Jazz, Icon, Relix, Pop Matters, Jay Z’s Life + Times, WBGO, Upscale, The Revivalist, East Bay Express and The Jazz Line, to name just a few.

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“Unlike a lot of jazz records I hear these days that sound like "then," this particular session feels like "now." Featuring a cool hybrid of electronic textures, modern beat science, R&B horn stabs, and short bursts of laid-back improvisational funkiness, Takuya Kuroda and his stellar band bring a fresh energy and flavor to today's instrumental music-making. (It) has a slow funky groove that just won't quit.” Nick Francis, NPR Music.

“Kuroda delves deep into a '70s fusion, funk, and Afro-beat-influenced sound that is at once contemporary and vintage in approach... it's Kuroda's assured, dynamic trumpet playing that grabs the spotlight... Kuroda reveals himself to be a gifted melodicist with an abiding trust in groove, not to mention trumpet chops and charisma to spare. Ultimately, Rising Son isn't just Kuroda's major-label debut, it's a major artistic statement.” AllMusic.