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🎷 J-DIGS presents Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media – Funky Stuff

Released in 1975, Funky Stuff stands as one of the absolute masterpieces of Japanese jazz-funk. Led by saxophonist Jiro Inagaki, Soul Media reaches a perfect balance between the explosive energy of jazz-rock, the irresistible grooves of American funk and a uniquely Japanese sense of sophistication. Driven by the inspired arrangements of keyboardist Hiromasa Suzuki, the album delivers razor-sharp horn lines, deep rhythmic grooves and atmospheric passages throughout.

From the explosive opening track "Painted Paradise" to the now legendary cover of Kool & The Gang's "Funky Stuff", every track has become a benchmark of the Japanese rare groove scene. A timeless classic, Funky Stuff is regularly cited among the greatest jazz-funk albums ever recorded in Japan.

Jiro Inagaki (1933–2024) was one of the most influential figures in Japanese jazz. After beginning his professional career while still in high school, he formed the Jiro Inagaki Quintet in 1962 before founding the legendary jazz-rock group Soul Media in 1969. His recordings from the 1970s remain highly sought-after by collectors and DJs worldwide.

Alongside his own projects, Inagaki enjoyed an outstanding career as a session musician, performing in Japan with artists including Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, The Stylistics and The Temptations. As a producer and musical director, he also worked with major Japanese stars such as Hideki Saijo and Pink Lady, while contributing extensively to Eiichi Ohtaki's Niagara productions.

- Artist: Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media
- Title: Funky Stuff
- Label: Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
- Original Release : 1975/01/25
- Original Catalog Number: KZ-7502

Arranged By, Fender Electric Piano – Hiromasa Suzuki
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jiro Inagaki
Drums – Hajime Ishimatsu
Electric Bass – Akira Okazawa
Guitar – Hiroshi Yasukawa
Trombone – Hisashi Imai

Mixed By – Kaoru Iida
Directed By – Masanobu Sato
Producer – Jiro Inagaki

● Get the essential WaJazz Legends - Jiro Inagaki 2xLP vinyl compilation at https://wajazz.bandcamp.com/album/wajazz-legends-jiro-inagaki-selected-by-yusuke-ogawa-universounds - selected by Japanese jazz master Yusuke Ogawa (Universounds)!

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J-DIGS is Nippon Columbia's archival project dedicated to bringing the label's extraordinary catalog to music lovers around the world. For over a century, Nippon Columbia has built one of Japan's richest musical legacies, and J-DIGS shines a light on exceptional recordings that deserve to be rediscovered today.

As the official J-DIGS Bandcamp partner for digital releases, 180g brings together the finest titles from the project in one place. Carefully selected and presented with the utmost care, these albums invite you to explore the timeless world of Japanese jazz, funk, rare groove, city pop, rock and beyond.

● Follow https://180g-j-digs.bandcamp.com/ for regular new releases and discover some of the greatest recordings ever produced by one of Japan's most prestigious record labels.

● Dig further and check the highly acclaimed Wamono and WaJazz vinyl compilations at:
https://wamono.bandcamp.com/
https://wajazz.bandcamp.com/

● Buy quality Japan records at https://japan-imports.bandcamp.com/merch

Enjoy!

J-DIGS is Nippon Columbia's archival project dedicated to bringing the label's extraordinary catalog to music lovers around the world. For over a century, Nippon Columbia has built one of Japan's richest musical legacies, and J-DIGS shines a light on exceptional recordings that deserve to be rediscovered today.

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