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Hajime Yoshizawa

Profile:Stage name: 吉澤 はじめ (Yoshizawa Hajime)

Hajime is part of a Japanese renaissance in jazz viewed through the eyes of modern dance music, post London acid jazz, often termed 'nu-jazz'. Best exemplified since artists like the United Future Organization in the early-mid '90s.

Cosmic Village, a band consisting of Hajime with four other members (including one of the Okino brothers, Shuya Okino, who set-up Especial Records with brother Yoshi later formed the Kyoto Jazz Massive), was the formative platform for his keyboard playing and production talents defining the nu-jazz territory of the late '90s as it went. Cosmic Village releases, like a cover LP of Yellow Magic Orchestra tunes titled "Nice Age" have lead through to a more recent track "Free" done for "The Room 10th Anniversary" project. Various production credits on small releases led to the amazing highlight in a 12-inch called "Ai-No-Kawa/Resurrection" on Especial Records. On this 12, whilst one of the tracks was under the name 'Hajime Yoshizawa' the other was under the name 'Sleep Walker', but both are straight jazz numbers.

From here we get his next projects. The Sleep Walker band kept the straight ahead jazz project going, whereas productions under his own name tend to head towards more of an electronic soulful nu-jazz perspective.

'Hajime Yoshizawa' monikered projects include an LP for Far Out Records' offshoot label Solaria entitled "Violet Lounge", remixes galore on various labels, plus more 12's on Especial Records under the name Hajime Yoshizawa leading to the CD only release "Hajime Yoshizawa", which grouped the 12's done for Especial Records together with new material.

'Sleep Walker' moniker, however, culminated in the self-titled LP "Sleep Walker".

A note should also be made about another moniker of his 'Electric Sheep', first used as a self-done remix name on a Cosmic Village 12-inch "You Can See The Light". Originally more of a beat heavy sound, more recent use of this moniker has resulted in more of an ambient sound/experimental project along the lines of fellow Japanese producer Calm (aka Farr) productions. The track "Amniotic" is worth hearing, as is another from the Shibuya HMV 5th anniversary 12-inch called "Naked Noon". And three remixes of note: one for the Jackson 5 remixes project (vol.2); one done for Jazzanova's "Takes You Back" featuring Lori Fine, released on Jazzanova's "In Between EP" on Sony SMEJ Japan only CD single (later put on the Jazzanova "Remixed" CD -not on the vinyl edition unfortunately, in fact never put out on vinyl, come to think of it !?); and the third one done for Riviera's "Never Stay Long", put out on Japanese label Philter Records on a five track remixes 12-inch, and a remixes CD.

His latest Sleep Walker 12-inch "The Voyage/Into The Sun" features Pharoah Sanders on sax and Bembe Segue on vocal duty.
URLs:http://www.hajimeyoshizawa.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hajimeyoshizawa
http://www.extra-freedom.co.jp/
Aliases:Bossa Free
In Groups:Cosmic Village, Electric Sheep (2), Sleep Walker
Name Variations: All | Hajime Yoshizawa | H. Yoshizawa | Hajime | Hajime Yoshitawa
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Releases:
Hajime (CD)   Ah Um 1991
Endless Bow (12")   Especial Records 2001
Secret Flight (12")   Especial Records 2001
Violet Lounge (CD)   Solaria 2001
Violet Lounge (LP)   Solaria 2001
Hajime Yoshizawa (CD)   Universal Music (Japan), UM³/USM Japan 2002
I Am With You (12")   Especial Records 2002
I Am With You (Remixes) (12")   Especial Records 2002
European Edition Volume One (12")   Especial Records 2004
Verao No Ar (12")   Especial Records 2004
Music From The Edge Of The Universe (CD)   Geneon 2005
Music From The Edge Of The Universe (CD, Album, Promo)   Geneon 2005
Music From The Edge Of The Universe Sampler (12", Smplr)   Especial Records 2005
Echo From Another Side Of The Universe (CD)   Geneon 2006
Echo From The Other Side Of The Universe Sampler (12", Smplr)   Especial Records 2006
Remixes:
Now And Then - Years Of Lightning, Day Of Drums 1990-1997 (2xCD, Album) Make It Better (Kyoto ... Brownswood Records, Brownswood Records, Nippon Phonogram, Nippon Phonogram 1998
Crossbreed (2x12") Inside Of You (OGU 2040) For Life Records 2000
Upstream (12", Promo) Lupin The Third (Hajim... Universal Music (Japan) 2001
Mar Remixes Part 1 (12") Mar (Hajime Yoshizawa ... Appetizers 2003
Production:
Brownswood Workshop: Multidirection (CD) Rising Sun Talkin' Loud, Brownswood Records 1994
Co-production:
Closer ◄ (2 versions) Closer 99 Records 1998
Brightness Of These Days (12")   Compost Records 2002
Fueled For The Future (CD) The View From Her Room SMEJ Associated Records 2002
Spirit Of The Sun (CD, Album)   Compost Records 2002
Spirit Of The Sun (CD, Album)   SMEJ Associated Records 2002
Love X Love (Who Needs Love Remixes) ◄ (2 versions) Where Love Shines (Kyo... Pony Canyon Inc. 2003
Mix:
Human Elements (2xCD) Time (Kyoto Jazz Massi... Good Looking Records 2003
Appears On:
Brownswood Workshop: Multidirection (CD, Comp) Rising Sun Nippon Phonogram, Brownswood Records 1993
Marble (CD, MiniAlbum) Tree, Air, And Rain On... For Life Records 1993
Do You See What I See (12")   King Street Sounds 1997
Inside Of You (12") Inside Of You (Classic... For Life Records 1998
Now And Then - Years Of Lightning, Day Of Drums 1990-1997 (2xCD, Album) Make It Better (Kyoto ... Brownswood Records, Brownswood Records, Nippon Phonogram, Nippon Phonogram 1998
Nacer Do Sol (12")   Yellow Productions 2000
Paradisiac 2 (2xCD, Comp) Inside Of You (Ogu 204... ULM Electro, ULM Electro, ULM Electro 2000
Sakurahills Disco 3000 (CD, Comp) Substream, Substream SMEJ Associated Records, Real Eyes 2000
Bahia / Expand Your Mind (10") Bahia (Kyoto Jazz Mass... Nite Grooves 2001
Dig It One (CD, Comp, Ltd) Eclipse (Afronaught No... Compost Records, Jazzanova Compost Records (JCR) 2001
Mugshot (12") Mugshot (Hajime Yoshiz... Freerange Records 2001
Re-Release (Album) ◄ (2 versions) Bahia (Kyoto Jazz Mass... Nite Grooves ... 2001
Reworks From Japan (12") Fedime's Flight (Kyoto... Jazzanova Compost Records (JCR) 2001
T.B.D. (12") T.B.D. (Album Mix) For Life Records 2001
Upstream (12", Promo) Lupin The Third (Hajim... Universal Music (Japan) 2001
Arriving Soon ◄ (2 versions) Speak Low Arision 2002
Confusion - The Fusion Mixes (CD, Album, Dig) Ten (Kyoto Jazz Massiv... Compost Records 2002
Golden (12")   Palm Pictures 2002
In Between (Album) ◄ (4 versions) Hanazono Jazzanova Compost Records (JCR) ... 2002
Mind Expansions (12") Mind Expansions (KJM 1... Compost Records 2002
Music & Movement One (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Endless Bow (Fauna Fla... Climate Records 2002
Organ Language (CD, Album, Dig) Organic Language Part ... Revirth 2002
Unreleased Ichi (12", EP) Inside Of You (Hajime ... Disorient 2002
Bar Lounge Classics Deluxedition (2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed, Dig) Substream Sony Music Catalog, Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) 2003
Bar Lounge Classics Summer Edition (CD, Comp, Dig + CD, Comp, Mixed) Shine Sony Music Media, Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) 2003
Human Elements (2xCD) Time (Kyoto Jazz Massi... Good Looking Records 2003
Jazzanova Remixed (2xCD) Takes You Back (Unexpe... High Note Records 2003
Nik Weston Presents - Sakura Aural Bliss (CD) Aquasphere Kriztal Entertainment 2003
Sleep Walker (2xLP, Album) Time Voyager, Ressurec... Especial Records 2003
Yellow Productions: Ten Years Of Music (CD + DVD) Nacer Do Sol EastWest 2003
Blue Note Revisited (CD, Comp) Kudu (Kyoto Jazz Massi... Blue Note 2004
Blue Note Revisited (CD, Comp, Copy Prot.) Kudu (Kyoto Jazz Massi... Blue Note, EMI Music (Canada) 2004
Equality (12", EP)   File Records 2004
For KJM (CD) Endless Flight Quality! Records 2004
Mix The Vibe - Street King EP Part 1 (12") Do You See What I See ... Nite Grooves 2004
Mood Indigo E.P. (12", EP) Far Beyond, Little B's... Universal Music K.K. 2004
Smash Disco (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Endless Bow (Jimpster ... Soulstar 2004
Soul Source - Remixed Boogies (CD, Comp, Album, Dig) Straight Ahead (Kyoto ... Victor Entertainment Japan 2004
The Voyage / Into The Sun ◄ (2 versions)   Especial Records 2004
Ambient Lounge 8 (2xCD, Comp, Ltd) The Brightness Of Thes... Globe (2) 2005
E.P. 2 - Equality (12") Road To Nowhere Pantone Music 2005
Equality (CD) Equality, Road To Nowhere Pantone Music 2005
Equality (2xLP) Equality Part 2, Road ... Pantone Music 2005
Equality (CD, Album, Promo) Equality, Road To Nowhere Pantone Music 2005
Road To Nowhere / Continuous Function (12") Road To Nowhere File Records 2005
Ryukyu Remixed (2xCD) Kuijin Nu Hana (Da Lat... High Note Records 2005
10th Anniversary (2xCD, Comp) The Brightness Of Thes... Compost Records 2006
Essence Of Especial (Exclusive Tracks EP) (12", EP) Rise Me Up Especial Records 2006
French Riviera (2xLP, Album) All For The Music, Dan... Gate Records, Gate Records 2006
Girl 2 Lady (CD, Album) Into The Sky Avex Trax 2006
Girl 2 Lady (CD, Album + DVD-V) Into The Sky Avex Trax 2006
The Excellence: Selected Works (CD, Comp) Spiredom 2004 [RE KJM] P-Vine Records 2006
The Remixes (Part 1) (2xLP) Pathways (Jazztronik T... Especial Distribution 2006
Wicked Jazz Sounds 2 (2xCD) Into The Sun United Recordings 2006
"United Legends" Replayed By Sleep Walker (2xCD, Album)   Geneon 2007
"United Legends" Replayed By Sleep Walker EP (12", EP) Love Is The Key, Shine... Especial Distribution 2007
Wind (12", Promo)   Especial Records 2007
Works (CD, Album, Dig) Wind, River Of Love, B... Village Again 2007
Brotherhood (12") Resurrection (Tokyo Ni... Jazzmin Records 2008
Found Him (12")   King Street Sounds 2008
Into The Sun (CD, Album, Dig)   Jazzmin Records 2008
The Rising Sun Album Sampler (12") Found Him (Original 12... King Street Sounds 2008
Spiridom (Vinyl, Promo, W/Lbl)   Not On Label  
Tracks Appear On:
Ai-No-Kawa / Resurrection (12") Ai-No-Kawa Especial Records 2000
Science Fiction Jazz Volume Six (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Secret Flight (West To... Jaboo Records ... 2001
Downtempo & Lounge Essentials (CD) Images Of Lyndmar Hotel H8records 2002
Groove Sanctuary ◄ (2 versions) Endless Bow (Fauna Fla... Fuego Records 2002
Music & Movement One (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Endless Bow (Fauna Fla... Climate Records 2002
Naked Music Presents Miguel Migs' Nude Tempo One (CD) Endless Bow (Jimpster ... Astralwerks 2002
Nude Tempo One (CD, Mixed, Comp) Endless Bow (Jimpster ... Naked Music Recordings 2002
Other-Worldly Fusions (CD) Secret Flight (Origina... Hardware 2002
PF02 - Eclectic (CD) I Am With You Trust The DJ 2002
Phuturesole (2x12") Endless Bow Sole Music 2002
Phuturesole Ni (CD, Comp) Endless Blow Sole Music 2002
Be Arisionable (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) I Am With You Arision 2003
Lounge Story 2 (CD) I Am With You Disques Dreyfus 2003
The Room 10th Anniversary Cream (12") Deixa Não Deixa SMEJ Associated Records 2003
European Edition Volume Two (12") I Am With You (Main Mix) Especial Records 2004
Selected Remixes 2000/2003 (CD, Comp) Endless Bow (Jimpster ... Freerange Records 2004
Smash Disco (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Endless Bow (Jimpster ... Soulstar 2004
Tokyo Lounge Volume 2 (CD) I Am With You Nippon Crown 2004
Night Escape @ The Pool "Mai Tai" (CD, Album) I Am With You For Life Records 2005
Worx - The Remixes ◄ (2 versions) Endless Bow (Fauna Fla... Compost Records ... 2005
Freedom Time Presents Especial House (CD, Comp) Believe Again (Kyoto J... Columbia Music Entertainment 2007
The Room Weekender 15th Anniversary Special Edition (2xCD, Comp) I Am With You Pony Canyon Inc. 2007
Neujazz (CD, Comp) Waltz For Jason (Full ... Sonar Kollektiv 2008
Especial Records 10th Anniversary Presents: So Especial (CD, Comp) Time (Domu's Disco Fun... Columbia Music Entertainment 2009
User Reviews:
jimthing, Nov 12, 2004

Not only is he one of Japans best electronic producers, but like Ryota Nozaki (aka Jazztronik), hear him playing piano on any of his Sleep Walker releases and you will truely understand just why he can get the likes of Pharoah Sanders to play sax with the band on the lastest release.
Quality assured accross all his projects.
...if you see them in a shop, purchase immediately !

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