Kazumi Watanabe New Electric Trio - Mo' Bop / Mo' Bop II / Mo' Bop III (2003/2004/2006/2016) [Official Digital Download 24/96

Kazumi Watanabe is the indisputable #1 guitarist in Japan, voted Best Guiatrist in Swing Journal magazine a mere 31 years in a row! Although jazz is his preferred modus operandi Watanabe has also collaborated with Japanese legends like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sadao Watanabe and the Yellow Magic Orchestra, bringing huge success at home and international recognition that led to him playing alongside Steps, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius and Bill Bruford.

For jazz fans, Kazumi Watanabe hardly needs any introduction. One of the most popular and well-respected musicians, he is also one of the best known. Since the age of 18 when he first started playing professionally, he has evolved a strong, intense style of jazz guitar with impact and creativity. He is a guitarists' guitarist. After taking Tokyo by storm in his 20s, he toured and traveled extensively, recording many of his finest work with American musicians, as well as with many long-term Japanese colleagues. In the past several years, he has recorded works that extend his vision from acoustic technique and fusion energy into extended compositional forms and intriguing jazz interactions. His latest two albums 'Mo' Bop' and 'Mo' Bop II' are brilliant collaborations with two of the best musicians from Africa and Cuba, drummer Horacio Hernandez and bassist Richard Bona.

The final release of the the very successful trilogy featuring a hot electric fusion unit featuring Japan's most respected guitar whiz and a super rhythm section of Richard Bona on bass and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez on drums. Highly recommended!