Pioneering Japanese-based DJ and music producer Shuya Okino returns with a brilliant new three-track EP from his Kyoto Jazz Sextet, titled Dosojin No Uta. This full-scale jazz-focused group formed back in 2015 in celebration of his groundbreaking project, Kyoto Jazz Massive.

Great from start to finish, the EP includes a superb rendition of “Dosojin no Uta” (Songs of Dosojin), a folk song from Nozawa-Onsen village, followed by the Pharoah Sanders-inspired “Extra Freedom”—a fan favorite originally featured on the group’s 2017 album Unity. The crown jewel of the project is a newly re-recorded jazz version of Shuya Okino’s jazz dance anthem “Still In Love”, featuring longtime collaborator and vocalist Navasha Daya, alongside saxophonist Tomoki Sanders.

The session is elevated by a stellar lineup of some of Japan’s most respected jazz musicians, including Toyoaki Sekine (drums), Shinpei Ruike (trumpet), Takeshi Kurihara (saxophone), Yoshihito “P” Koizumi (bass), and Yusuke Hirado (piano). At the helm is Shuya Okino, serving as both creative director and visionary behind the project.

Once again, Shuya Okino and his Kyoto Jazz Sextet deliver an outstanding release—one that stands confidently alongside the best jazz recordings of 2025. This is a must-own for both longtime fans and newcomers alike, showcasing the group’s signature blend of deep tradition, bold reinterpretation, and boundary-pushing artistry. Highly recommended!

Kyoto Jazz Sextet — ‘Dosojin No Uta’
(Lawson Entertainment)

1. Dosojin No Uta
2. Extra Freedom
3. Still In Love

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• Jazz
• Jazz Dance