Inaba And Nakamure "Conversation"
This recording is a conversation between Kunimitsu Inaba on bass and Sadanori Nakamure on guitar, both of whom are active in the Japanese jazz scene, and this sober but significant album reflects both of their personalities. It also received the "Best Engineering Award" and "Jazz of Japan Award" by Swing Journal Critic's Poll in 1975. This album was inspired by Jim Hall & Ron Carter's delightful album "Alone Together" recorded in August 1972. Inaba said, "I've known for a long time that I wanted to perform duets with Nakamure-san on guitar.Since the middle of the 60s, we have now and then played duos. When the Hall-Carter duo album was released, we talked about how they did it first!" Inaba started his career in jazz with Nakamure's band. Then, some years later, he joined the Nakamure trio again.
In February 1974, they began duo-playing in earnest. "Inaba-san's running bass is attractive and perfect, so I find it very enjoyable to perform with him," Nakamure has commented. They play all standard tunes on his album. On "Alone Together" and "Autumn Leaves" you can compare Inaba-Nakamure with Hall-Carter. And you can feel their Japanese sensibilities in the musical interplay.Each composition is freely interpreted; either musician gives a cue, and then the duo "converses". "I want to play a melodic and swinging jazz. Even if I'm in a bad shape, I want to do my best so I have no regrets. I hope you feel the human qualities of my playing," Inaba said.