Japanese Whisky Paired With J Jazz Will Have You Tasting Notes

December 2, 2021

TOKYO — 2 December 2021 – Produced in association with independent record label BBE Music, this new LP from dekantā – an award-winning independent bottler of Japanese whisky and leading online retailer of spirits and wine from Japan – features nine vintage Japanese Jazz tracks from legends of the industry, including previously unreleased tracks, each paired with a classic expression of Japanese whisky, creating a unique sensory experience. 

Compiled exclusively for dekantā by Tony Higgins and Mike Peden, both long-time collectors of Japanese jazz, ‘Transient Tones For Timeless Spirits – A dekantā LP’ (RRP 399.99 USD) seeks to present the very best in modern jazz from Japan, including limited releases adored by fans of the genre, and rare recordings that were nearly lost to history, lovingly remastered at Grammy nominated London studio The Carvery.

From the post-war modern jazz scene in Japan emerged some of the most dynamic and influential recordings in the genre’s history. This was a world before a commitment to digital, when the culture grew through the recording of intimate sessions and some of the most historic performances were pressed to vinyl only in tiny numbers. Among the artists featured are truly seminal figures in the J Jazz scene, including Kohsuke Mine and Takashi Miyasaka; among some of the finest players in jazz history, such as Takeo Moriyama, Aki Takase, and the combined power of J Jazz supertrio Isao Suzuki, Masahiko Togasgu and Hideo Ichikawa.

Created by contemporary illustrator and animator, Edu Fuentes, the album cover is a reimagining of Kitagawa Utamaro’s ‘Kinko Riding Catfish’, originally a woodblock print; here Kinko rides through the city of Tokyo at night, muted shades turning fluorescent, spotlighting the vibrancy of modern Japan and the culture of J Jazz.

This limited edition collection features nine 5cl miniatures of Japanese whiskies from the country’s most highly regarded producers, including Yamazaki 12, Taketsuru 17 Year Old, Hibiki 17 Year Old and other award-winning and recognisable expressions. Each whisky has been selected to complement the Japanese Jazz track it has been matched with. Only 300 boxes have been produced.

“This album was created out of a desire to find the truly collectible pieces of J Jazz history to match the scarce produce of Japan’s acclaimed whisky producers,” said dekantā Founder and Director Makiyo Masa. “A true showcase of the genius musicianship and stunning compositions that form the identity of this imitable era of jazz history, this album, and accompanying whiskies, will take your mind, nose and palate on a journey that you’ll remember for a lifetime.”

This release arrives at a time when demand for the category has been demonstrably high. In a recent survey (February 2021) of more than 1,600 randomly sampled individuals, conducted by dekantā, nearly two thirds of surveyed drinkers reported spending more on Japanese whisky in 2020 than the previous year. Furthermore, in April this year, the major producers agreed to move towards a new standard for labelling, with the aim of protecting the interests of consumers and creating a fairer market for Japanese whisky.

‘Transient Tones For Timeless Spirits – A dekantā LP’ will be available to order from dekanta.com from Friday 3 December 2021, delivery available worldwide (excluding some regions).

Notes to Editors:
dekantā Founder Makiyo Masa and Head of Content Liam Hiller are available for interview. Please RSVP to arrange, Miriam Rune: miriam@dekanta.com / +44 7740 339 628.

dekantā Newsroom: https://dekanta.com/press/
Press library: https://dekanta.com/press-library/
High resolution photography is available on request.

About dekantā
Leading online retailer and award-winning independent bottler of Japanese whisky, dekantā offers the world’s largest online selection of authentic Japanese spirits and, since the opening of its online store in 2015, has delivered to 127 countries across every continent in the world. A family owned and run business, dekantā’s founders have been selling collectibles since 1985 and specialize in rare, collectible, and new release single malt Japanese whisky. dekantā offers worldwide delivery on an extensive range of Japanese single malt whisky, Japanese grain whisky, Japanese blended whisky, World Blends, other spirits and wine from Japan. 

dekanta.com
@dekantawhisky                                  

About BBE Music
Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band. The label grew from the vibrant early 90s club scene, with subsequent releases ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. Throughout a quarter of a century, BBE Music have published well over 500 titles, and have worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales, among many others.

BBEMusic.com
@bbemusic