Life is Now (October 21st, 2020)
Amazon
Apple Music
Spotify
YouTube
AS an exclusive offer, you can get 3 bonus tracks (MP3/WAV) when you download the album. In order to get the tracks, email me from here after you purchase the album from other websites, or simply purchase directly from me.
Digital download is $10. After you make a payment via Venmo, PayPal or check, I will send you a link to download the album and the bonus tracks. (Limited number of physical copy available)
1. Blues Wee
2. Just One Story
3. Last of All
4. Hider or Seeker?
5. Under the Big Sky
6. No Easy Days
7. Gee, Seventh Avenue
8. Home Away From Home
9. Life is Now
All compositions by Nobuki Takamen
Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Naoki Aikawa / Drums
‘’… showing his sense of melody, originality, and unique expression. A thoroughly pleasing and fulfilling album with the band totally in touch…’’
- Gene Bertoncini
''Takamen wrings some of the sweetest tones we’ve heard in some time from his 335, but it’s his exquisite, sensitive phrasing and voice leading that make this a must-listen for trad-jazz fans.''
- Guitar World Magazine
The Nobuki Takamen Trio Apple Music Amazon 1. The Circle Game 2. Helsingin taivas (Helsinki Sky) 3. 3AM 4. Fox's Tail 5. Wonderful Days 6. A-Tico-Ta 7. Blues Alberta 8. Sjecanja za Pamcenje (Memories to Remember) 9. 25 10. Piece for Peace All compositions by Nobuki Takamen Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass Naoki Aikawa / Drums Akihito Yoshikawa / Percussion (Track 6) Released on November 28, 2018 Helsingin taivas (Helsinki Sky) received the first prize of the Instrumental Category in the USA Songwriting Competition 2019. ''... the best jazz guitarist Japan has ever produced...'' (5 Stars) - AllAboutJazz, Chris Mosey ''Apart from his unique phraseology, and a self-evidence for a wide harmonic landscape, he furthermore draws from a multitude of different genres and melts them into something distinctively his own.'' - AllAboutJazz, Friedrich Kunzmann ''The leader’s influences are many, but have evolved along with his style: from the early direct influence of Wes Montgomery, which is still present, to Barney Kessel and quite a few others in between. That said, in blending all these influences and inspirations Takamen has been able to distill a personal approach as well as develop considerable compositional skills.'' - The New York City Jazz Record, Marco Cangiano ''This CD is the examplar of some fo the most vibrant new sounds on guitar trio today.'' - Roberta on the Arts ''The seventh set from this post bop guitarist leaves no room for doubt...'' - Midwest Record
Live in Japan Apple Music Amazon Disc One 1. Freddie’s Mood 2. Smile 3. All Waltz 4. Gee, Seventh Avenue 5. Akatonbo (Red Dragonfly) 6. Sjecanja za Pamcenje (Memories to Remember) Disc Two 1. No Easy Days 2. Jimi’s Swing 3. Homeward Bound 4. Strolling in Downtown 5. Wonderful Days 6. Blues for Riley All compositions by Nobuki Takamen except ‘’Akatonbo’’ by Kosaku Yamada Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass Naoki Aikawa / Drums Released on August 17, 2016 ''Sometimes there's no substitute for the familiarity that a long playing partnership brings. This is jazz guitar trio music at its finest...'' - AllAboutJazz, Mark Sullivan ''... A nice, solid jazz trio set of mostly originals... Winning stuff throughout...'' - Midwest Record
Solo Guitar Apple Music Amazon 1. Someday 2. I'll Remember Cedar 3. Blues for Riley 4. For the Stranger 5. Lullaby Without Words 6. All Waltz 7. Mr. Wyble 8. Smile 9. From Now on 10. Night Song 11. Wonderful Days All songs composed and arranged by Nobuki Takamen Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Released on December 17, 2014 ''... Takamen is a master. Beautiful solo guitar... he simply seems to bring the sun out when he plays.'' - Vintage Guitar Magazine ''... His music always swings whether taken at a medium or slow tempo, and Takamen, like Joe Pass, sounds like a complete group by himself... throughout the set invigorates the tradition of straight ahead jazz guitar...'' - The Author of ''The Great Jazz Guitarists'', Scott Yanow ''... Takamen clearly is an extremely gifted improviser and composer, and this is a most advantageous showcase for both of those talents.'' - Just Jazz, Bob Bernotas ''... What is here is totally enjoyable music, and a truly exceptional solo guitar debut from Nobuki Takamen. He's a jazz guitarist to watch.'' - AllAboutJazz ''Close to being an intimate solo recital in your living room, Takamen has a minimalist's knack for doing so much with very little.'' - Midwest Record
Three Wishes Summit Records (DCD 594) Apple Music Amazon 1. A Long Way Ahead 2. Freddie's Mood 3. Underground Theme Song 4. Jimi's Swing 5. Greenwich Village Sometimes 6. Three Wishes 7. Scarborough Fair (Traditional) 8. Let's Get Five 9. Homeward Bound All compositions by Nobuki Takamen except where indicated Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass Naoki Aikawa / Drums(2, 3, 6, 9) Akihito Yoshikawa / Drums(1, 4, 5, 7, 8) Hitoshi Kanda / Piano(5, 8) Released on August 14, 2012 ''... Jim Hall meets Wes Montgomery on their way to a Kenny Burrell show...'' - Critical Jazz ''... the guitarist serves up roller-coaster, angular melodies, played with care on a clear guitar, picking out one crisp note at a time, letting it ring out before moving to the next... Nobuki is best in a simple trio setting...'' - DownBeat Magazine ''Hiroshima-born and New York-based guitarist Nobuki Takamen is a fast rising jazz star, thanks to his flawless skills as an instrumentalist and improviser. Takamen, however, is also an exciting composer, as his fourth album Three Wishes clearly demonstrates.'' - Chicago Jazz ''... Nobuki Takamen keeps the sound to either a trio or quartet on this impressive collection of originals...'' - George W. Harris
Live at the Iridium Summit Records (DCD 547) Apple Music Amazon 1. Strolling in Downtown 2. 14-1 3. Smile 4. One Big Shot 5. Union Square Nobels 6. The Other Side of City All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Hitoshi Kanda / Piano (except 5) John Lenis / Bass Yutaka Uchida / Drums Released on July 13, 2010 ''... a mature player with keen sense of composition [and] considerable technical skills...'' - Vintage Guitar Magazine ''... an excellent improviser in his own bop-inspired style... Live at the Iridium, Nobuki Takamen's most satisfying recording so far, displays an increasingly mature and vital soloist performing with an excellent band.'' - LA Jazz Scene '' Japanese born guitarist Takamen urges absolutely HUGE, warm tones and lyrical melodies from his Gibson ES-335.'' - GuitarOmnivore ''His playing rangers from stunning to delicate, and always possesses a sense of great musicianship and taste.'' - JSO Jazz Scene
FROM NOW ON What's New Records (WNCJ-2192) Apple Music Amazon 1. C.M.G. 2. Scenes 3. One Big Shot 4. Smile 5. Like Blue 6. 3 x 4 7. Message for the Messengers 8. Nebergall Loop 9. Nine 10. From Now on All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Bryan Beninghove / Tenor Sax(1,6,9) Hitoshi Kanda / Piano Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass Makoto Kikuchi / Drums Released on October 22, 2008 ''... prodigious technique... strong and lyrical melodies akin to James Taylor's, which sink into the mind, inviting subconscious lyric-writing from even the most casual listen.'' (5 Stars) - AllAboutJazz, Dave Major ''... he constructs his compositions with an ear to the sum of all instruments, not to highlight his own skills... '' - The Gear Page ''Takamen has a consistently mellow tone and a style that ranges from relaxed to fiery.'' - LA Jazz Scene, Scott Yanow
Bull's Blues What's New Records (WNCJ-2168) Apple Music Amazon 1. Bull's Blues 2. 14-1 3. For the Stranger 4. No Chance 5. Strolling in Downtown 6. The Other Side of City 7. After Dinner 8. Homage 9. Union Square Nobels All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen Nobuki Takamen / Guitar Ro Hasegawa / Tenor Sax(1-4, 8) Hitoshi Kanda / Piano(except 9) Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass Makoto Kikuchi / Drums Released on June 21, 2006 ''... the compositions are engaging, and the group dynamic is never less than brilliant. Takamen has given us a great first album and left us with the anticipation of his successes to come.'' - Just Jazz Guitar ''The tunes are moremorable and dynamic with tight arrangements and of course, great playing from all involved. ... a keen sense of melody and taste...'' - Jazz Guitar Life (Canada) ''Takamen transmits a jazz vibe, steeped within good cheer and excellence in execution throughout this appealing set.'' - Glenn Astarita
Physical CDs (with my autograph) are available for purchase. $20 ($30 for 2 disc-album) plus regular shipping and handling fee (the USA). International shipping is TBA. Please contact to purchase the CD(s).
All the albums are available for downloading/streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.
<As a Sideman>
I Get Around / Demetra
secret / Mamiko Taira
New Chapter / Eva Kano
Plays Count Basie Directed by Akihito Yoshikawa /
Original Hard Jazz Orchestra (M581 Records)
HORIZON / YAZ Band
Jazz Christmas for You / Eva Kano
Four Seasons / T. Nakanishi & Keypoint
Come in From the Cold / Eric J. Smith