snobb Sax player Kazutoki Umezu came on Japanese jazz scene too late to participate in explosive introduction of free jazz in 1969-71.As a musical student he spent mid-70s in States playing around in New York lofts. Oliver Lake,Lester Bowie and David Murray were his influences. Still being a student he formed his first band Seikatsu Kōjyō Iinkai (with bassist William Parker and trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah among others), which recorded three loft-type free jazz albums. After return to Japan in 1976 Kazutoki tried to find a place for adventurous improvisational music what wasn't easy - it was a time of j-pop and j-fusion.

His first album as leader "Bamboo Village" was recorded in trio format (with legendary free-jazz percussionist Masahiko Togashi and American bassist David Friesen)and contained still same free jazz - no surprise it haven't been noticed in year 1980.Probably it pushed Kazutoki to quite unusual step - two years later he formed quartet with cult status in Japan having pianist Mal Waldron and recorded collection of five standards (incl."'Round Midnight")!"Another Step", Japan-only released album, stays Kazutoki's only hard bop album till now.

It would be not really correct to speak about "Another Step" as true mainstream album though. Differently from first generation Japanese free-jazzers known by their noisy,scratchy and often brutal,rock-influenced sound, Kazutoki's playing is closer to bluesy and tuneful free-bop.

"Another Step" was obviously oriented on traditional Mal Waldron's music Japanese listener and didn't add popularity to Kazutoki.Soon he will switch towards really new sound - mixing rock,avant-garde jazz,fusion,klezmer and funk - and will become the leading sax player of Japanese post-fusion generation.

snobb Eclecticism is not only the name of this album, but the name of this great Japanese reeds player Kazutoki Umezu's project as well. And it would be hard to find a better name for them and their music.

Kazutoki Umezu played in NY downtown in 70s for some years, than lived in Japan and returned in NY back again in early 90s.His Eclecticism project is a result of his collaboration with excellent guitarist Marc Ribot and all the team of John Zorn-related NY avant jazz musicians. Recorded live in Knitting Factory, this album radiates the atmosphere of time and the place!

Most interesting thing with this album's music it is a mature and organic mix of Japanese high energy brutal avant with melodic Zorn-like NY sound. For many listeners Japanese improvisational music associates with Ruins/ Yoshida Tatsuya's brutal and noisy sound attacks.This album is very different: being still very high loaded ,there are plenty of melodies ( obviously Zorn's influence on "Italian movie soundtrack" "Western Picaro" or reworked waltz on "Ballet Dancer"),many different rhythms (from Klezmer to swing)and all music is very bright,various and ... positive!

Besides of Umezu, the other album's star is Marc Ribot: this quirky music and freaky party atmosphere is excellent place for his crunchy sound. But in fact all musicians are of highest level (they all come from Marc Ribot/John Zorn different projects).

Recorded material comes from live show ( October 27, 1992) at NY Knitting Factory and dedicated public adds even more fun for playful atmosphere. Excellent release for NY downtown music fans!