Astonishing 41 track pièce de résistance from Tori Kudo and his brilliant ensemble. A modest masterpiece.

After a welcome tip off from David Keenan at The Wire, Japanese improvisation ensemble group Maher Shalal Hash Baz, led by Tori Kudo, became one of the first signings to Geographic. It was exactly the kind of music we wanted to release. It was kind of wild but totally melodic too – a mixture of original brass, outsider pop oddness and Tori Kudo’s brilliant Syd Barrett-influenced cutting guitar.

Blues du Jour, Maher Shalal Hash Baz’s second album released on Geographic in 2003, was recorded in East Kilbride by David Scott and was the ensemble’s final record with their legendary euphonium player, Hiroo Nakazaki. A 41-track journey into their strange and wonderful world, it features some of their best known songs including Open Field later covered by Silver Jews.

Being able to help make and then release a record like this is one of the many reasons that Katrina and I are so proud of Geographic.