The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice 2: A Jazz Gem That Still Shines
Let’s talk about The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice 2, a jazz album that’s kinda like finding an old vinyl in your grandpa's attic—unexpected but totally worth it. Released in 1997 by Various artists under the label Three Blind Mice (shoutout to Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.), this record is pure Japanese jazz goodness. It’s not flashy or overproduced; instead, it feels like sitting in a smoky jazz club where everyone knows what they’re doing.
Now, I gotta say, there are some real standouts on here. First up, “I Can’t Get Started.” Man, this track just grabs you from the first note. The trumpet work? Absolutely buttery smooth. There’s something about how it builds—slow and steady—that makes it stick in your head for days. You know those songs that make you wanna close your eyes and nod along even if you're just standing at a bus stop? Yeah, this is one of them.
Then there’s “Manha de Carnaval,” which hits different. It’s got this sultry, almost cinematic vibe to it. Like, I picture myself walking through Rio during Carnival—or at least how I imagine it would feel. The saxophone solo in the middle? Chef’s kiss. It’s playful yet soulful, like the musician is telling you their whole life story without saying a word. Honestly, these two tracks alone make the album worth checking out.
Of course, the rest of the tracks hold their own too. “Stella By Starlight” has its moments, and “Play Fiddle Play” brings a bit of fun into the mix. But hey, let’s be real—if you’re into jazz, you already know what you’re signing up for here: tight instrumentation, cool vibes, and zero filler.
What gets me thinking, though, is how albums like this don’t get as much love today. In our world of TikTok trends and playlists with 500 songs, taking time to really listen to something like The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice 2 feels almost rebellious. And honestly? Maybe we need more rebellion like that.
So yeah, give this one a spin if you’re looking for music that actually lets you breathe. Oh, and random thought—as awesome as this album is, can we all agree that naming things "Part 2" without a clear Part 1 feels kinda shady? Just saying.
2. Isao Suzuki Quartet + 1– Play Fiddle Play 5:09
3. Masaru Imada– Fancy Lady 12:58
4. Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd– Jazz Orchestra '75 Part 2 20:00
5. Tee & Company– Mort 29:20
6. Isao Suzuki Trio– Manha De Carnaval 37:00
7. Mari Nakamoto– What A Difference A Day Made 45:51
8. Motohiko Hino Quartet + 1– Rio Rome Engineer – Masayoshi Okawa 49:40
9. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio– I Can't Get Started 1:00:23
10. Terumasa Hino Quintet– Stella By Starlight 1:06:04