NAUTILUS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Lisa Decker makes a return with two new singles here that are taken from her upcoming album which is due in May of this year. It comes two years after her debut with the Japanese jazz trio Nautilus and marks something of a conceptual shift in her sound. 'Love & Hope' finds her turn in a stylish jazz vocal with funky bass loops and organic drums and percussion that straddle many different genres. 'Summer Child' then sinks into a nice smooth jazz-funk vibe with soft focus chords bringing a touch of class to her breezy vocals.

Review: With an irresistible blend of broken beat and nu-jazz grooves, 'Chameleon' is a enjoyable smooth jazz gem driven by funky basslines, strings, lively percussive and catchy keys. The arrangement flows effortlessly, creating a sound both sophisticated and danceableia perfect balance of complexity and accessibility. Flipping to the B-side, 'Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong' takes a more laid-back approach. Led by a warm, soulful organ, the track exudes chill vibes with its subtle funk underpinnings and jazzy finesse. The addition of a vocoder adds a playful, retro-futuristic charm, rounding out a composition that's as soothing as it is engaging.

Review: Japanese jazz, funk and rare groove sensations Nautilus share their latest cover version, this time of Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love'. This version stars Toshiyuki Saki on guest drums and vocalist Ruto Kasahara on vocals, bringing a digressional arc to Nautilus' usual sound. On the flip comes another rerub, this time of Nautilus' own 'Love Theme From Spartacus', from their latest album, remixed by producer Kenichiro Nishihara, which incorporates a light-hearted and feathery jazz-hop verve.

Review: Nautilus are one of the most prominent outfits out right now to embody the rare groove scene. Here the three-piece demonstrate their lesser-spotted musical spectacularity with a sun-soaked, serotonin-packed new record. A perfect introduction to the band's craft, which spans both covers and originals, we've first Oasis with a version of 'Wonderwall', followed by honourable takes on Thelonious Monk and Yusef Lateef, and then the Nautilus originals 'Overflowing' and 'Cosmic Maze'. All tracks feature the spangling voices of Emi Tawata and Rayamada, each of whom compliment the keyed, vocoder-steeped, and abundant playing of Toshiyuki Sasaki, Shigeki Umezawa and Daisuke Takeuchi.

Review: Japanese jazz-funk trio Nautilus's Sunrise is a vibrant album packed with their signature blend of tight grooves, lush melodies and soulful synths. Drawing inspiration from classic 70s jazz-funk while infusing modern sensibilities, this record delivers a signature dynamic sound that's both nostalgic and fresh. Intricate instrumentation defines it with leader Toshiyuki Sasaki's precise drumming, Shunsuke Umino's fluid basslines and Daisuke Takeuchi's expressive keys driving each track. Highlights include shimmering originals and inventive reinterpretations that once again cement Nautilus as a cornerstone of contemporary jazz-funk innovation.

Review: Hey everybody, here's... Nautilus! This prolific contemporary jazz trio are at the top of their game. Regular contributors to their patrons Urban Discos and Oonops Drops, their repertoire extends to everything from full-length EPs' and albums' worths of original material to one-off guilty pleasure covers. This new rendition of Oasis' 'Wonderwall' definitely falls into the latter category. This slick new version abounds in gut-grasping major chords and spine-tingling drum brush caresses, and features passionately candid yet no less elegant vocals by Ray Yamaoda. On the B comes the comparatively funky knockout and jazz original, 'Through The Night'.

Review: Tokyo-based jazz fusion trio Nautilus have presented their brand new album, Pacific Voyage in various formats and the is s a nice yellow wax version. It's a breezy summertime soundtrack that blends sunny Yacht Rock with a hint of cool 80s City Pop as the trio reinterprets classic hits from this era and add fresh spins to songs like Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love' and Toto's 'Georgy Porgy.' The album also features tracks from artists like Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Shuggie Otis, Nohelani Cypriano, and Toshiki Kadomatsu, all given the special Nautilus treatment. Guest appearances include UK soul singer John Turrell, German rap legend Toni-L, and Japanese soul artist Ryuto Kasahara.

Review: New-gen rare groove band Nautilus, operating out of Japan, deliver their latest 7" record, 'Life'. Just two crisp, piquant, fresh, and bubbly uncorkings in sound - 'Life', featuring vocalist Emi Tawata, and the instrumental 'Master Blaster'- are here heard sprayed like buckshot across the stereo system. The former is a candid admission by Tawata of her fear of the dark and ghosts, one which compels the listener to ponder the song's spiritual metaphor - "I'd rather have a piece of toast, watch the evening news" being the lyric of note - while the latter is a comparatively muted four-to-the-floor funk inflammation, held together by a phat but tricksy drum line and overgirding Rhodes.

Review: During their first European tour in May 2023, Tokyo-based Jazz trio Nautilus received a raucous response from concert visitors. In response, Japanese label Oonops Drops decided to press their last gig of the tour at the legendary King Georg in Cologne, Germany on limited mixed media. This one's for all the concert-goers, who'll now get to soak up the very same vibes heard back in May. This cross-section of songs spans the old to the new, though all originate from a fresh multitrack recording session; going so far as to recapture the mood of the event with canned clapping and whistles, the vibe of "being there" is emulated to a T, with 'Stone Ground Seven' and 'Expansions' coming as exemplary bottlings of Nautilus' joie de vivre.

Review: Prolific Japanese jazzers Nautilus - made up of drummer Toshiyuki Sasaki, keyboardist Daisuke Takeuchi, and bassist Shigeki Umezawa - present their latest 7" release 'A Story About You'. It's an emotive A-and-B-sider of mournful mood, with the A-side cemented by rolling pianos and a central lyric-melody performed by Mariko's talkbox, and B-sider 'Sweet Power Your Embrace' coming as a cover of the 1977 classic by James Mason. Signaling news of a full-length album to come - you'd better fasten your seatbelts.