Taka Nawashiro: Lifescape (digital outlets)

Now mostly based in New York where this album was recorded, guitarist Nawashiro from Saitama, Japan won the John Coltrane Award when he graduated from The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2020.

He has a smooth, swinging and inventive style although the namechecking of Pat Metheny in his PR doesn't quite stack up.

There is a beautiful fluidity to his playing across these eight pieces, one of which – Promise of 60 – comes with scat-like vocals from a woman who may or may not be Judette Elliston.

It's not easy to find any detailed information on the other players but apparently it was recorded in New York with two different bands then overdubbing done in Tokyo.

So we can't name the fine pianist(s) or saxophone player.

This is exceptionally pleasant and well executed jazz which, if it doesn't make many demands on listeners it is undeniably as enjoyable as it is intelligent.

Nawashiro will doubtless deliver something more challenging than this, but meantime this is the kind of jazz many people like and he's extremely good at it.

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You can hear this album at Spotify here