First

BBE Music's J Jazz Masterclass Series continues with Kohsuke Mine's landmark debut 'First'. A defining moment in modern Japanese jazz, this 1970 album captures the genre's evolution through rich textures, dynamic rhythms, and striking melodic lines. Mine's visionary approach is elevated by master keyboardist Masabumi Kikuchi on electric piano, alongside American jazz luminaries bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Lenny McBrowne. This reissue marks the first release since the original pressing, showcasing the emergence of an artist whose influence would shape Japanese jazz for decades. From spiritual jazz to funk-fusion, 'First' laid the foundation for Mine's celebrated catalogue and stands as an essential entry in the J Jazz canon.