Eiji Kitamura - Swing Sessions

Review by Roberto rob-nn

Swing Sessions by Eiji Kitamura: A Timeless Slice of Japanese Jazz Let’s cut to the chase—Eiji Kitamura’s Swing Sessions is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a mischievous cat. Released in 1978 under RCA Japan, this jazz gem delivers smooth swing vibes with just enough personality to keep your ears perked up. It’s not trying too hard, but it doesn’t need to. The whole thing feels like sipping coffee in a retro Tokyo café while someone cool plays clarinet in the corner. Now, let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me more than leftover ramen stains on my shirt. First off, there’s “Petite Fleur.” Oh man, this tune hits different. You’ve got Eiji Kitamura blowing his clarinet like he’s telling an old-school love story without saying a word. Yukio Ikezawa’s basslines are so groovy they could make even your grandma tap her feet (no offense, Grandma). And don’t get me started on Ichiro Masuda’s vibraphone—it adds this dreamy shimmer, like moonlight reflecting off a river at midnight. This track isn’t flashy; it’s understated brilliance, kinda like finding a ten-dollar bill in your jacket pocket when you least expect it. Then we’ve got “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” which is basically the musical equivalent of flirting over cocktails. Judy Anton steps in for vocals here, and wow—her voice has this warm, honeyed quality that makes you wanna lean back and pretend you’re living in some black-and-white movie. Yoshitaka Akimitsu lays down some killer piano riffs, and Hiroshi Sunaga’s drums give the rhythm just enough kick to keep things interesting. There’s something cheeky about how effortlessly everyone comes together on this track—it’s playful yet classy, like wearing suspenders with a tuxedo. The rest of the album? Solid all around. Tracks like “Body And Soul” and “Good-Bye” bring their own magic, but these two stood out because they felt alive, like they were made for moments rather than playlists. Kudos to producer Fumimaru Kawashima and engineer Kohei Nakamura for keeping everything tight and crisp—this record sounds as fresh today as it did back in ‘78. But here’s the kicker: listening to Swing Sessions feels less like discovering a forgotten relic and more like meeting an old friend who still knows how to throw a great party. Sure, it might not reinvent the wheel, but why mess with perfection? So grab yourself a copy if you can find it—or stream it if you must—and let Eiji Kitamura remind you why jazz will always be the ultimate mood-setter. Just try not to spill your drink from all the foot-tapping. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Artist: Eiji Kitamura
Album: Swing Sessions

Japan

Jazz

Swing

1978

Rating: 4.83

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Filename: eiji-kitamura-swing-sessions.zip

MP3 size: 55.2 mb
FLAC size: 461.6 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Petite Fleur	3:14
I Hadn't Anyone Till You	3:35
Memories Of You	3:41
Shine	4:36
Avalon	4:04
What A Little Moonlight Can Do	4:32
Good-Bye	3:52
Body And Soul	4:20

Video

Eiji Kitamura with Friends - Petite Fleur

McIntosh MC275 & Audio Research SP3

Eiji Kitamura and the Best Friends - Avalon

Images

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Catalog Numbers

RDC-10
RDCE-10

Labels

RCA

Listen online

online luisteren
kuunnella verkossa
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
ascolta in linea
online anhören
escuchar en línea
ouvir online

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Limited Edition
Promo

Companies

Role	Company
Manufactured By	RVC Corporation
Phonographic Copyright (p)	RVC Corporation
Recorded At	Iruma Shimin Kaikan
Mastered At	Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd.

Credits

Role	Credit
Bass	Yukio Ikezawa
Clarinet	Eiji Kitamura
Coordinator	Mitsuo Yamaguchi
Design	Katsuhiko Iida
Drums	Hiroshi Sunaga
Engineer	Kohei Nakamura, Shizuo Nomiyama
Music Director	Hiroshi Isaka
Photography By	Masami Hotta
Piano	Yoshitaka Akimitsu
Producer	Fumimaru Kawashima, Fumimaru Kawashima
Supervised By	Terry Isono
Vibraphone	Ichiro Masuda
Vocals	Judy Anton (tracks: A3, B3)

Notes

Recorded April 21, 1978 at Iruma Public Hall, Iruma-shi
Limited Direct-to-Disc Edition
Recorded live at Iruma City Auditorium, Saitama, Japan
Recorded April 21, 1978 at Iruma Public Hall, Iruma-shi.
Comes with foldout insert.

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Side 1): L 〄 Ⓑ RDC 10A 131 + U W
Matrix / Runout (Side 2): L RDC 10B 121

About Eiji Kitamura

Japanese jazz clarinet player. Born April 8, 1929 in Tokyo.

Real Name

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Name Vars

E. Kitamura
E.Kitamura
Eiji
Kitamura-Eiji
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Mr. ̗ݑ˱಻
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eijikitamura.com

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Swing Sessions* by Eiji Kitamura, released in 1978 in Japan, is a hidden gem in the jazz world. It blends classic swing with a touch of Japanese artistry. What makes it special? The track "Petite Fleur" showcases Kitamura’s clarinet skills, but it’s Judy Anton’s vocals on a couple of tracks that add a unique charm. Fun detail—two engineers worked on this album, ensuring its sound was flawless. And get this: Terry Isono, who supervised the project, clearly had a vision, bringing together talented musicians like Yukio Ikezawa on bass and Hiroshi Sunaga on drums. A true team effort!