Three Blind Mice

Three Blind Mice (TBM) was founded in June 1970 by producer and sound engineer Takeshi “Tee” Fujii in Tokyo with an ambitious mission: to become the “Blue Note of Japan” for emerging Japanese jazz talent. Fujii prioritized audiophile-grade recording quality and complete creative freedom for artists. Recording engineer Yoshihiko Kannari established the label’s signature high-fidelity sound at Aoi Studio. First albums featured Kosuke Mine’s “Mine” (1970) and Allan Praskin Quartet’s “Encounter” (1971). Breakthrough came with Isao Suzuki’s “Blow Up” (1973) and Hiroshi Fukumura Quintet’s debut, establishing TBM’s Contemporary Jazz aesthetic.

Peak creative period defined by two major artists. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto became the label’s biggest star with his piano trio trilogy: “Midnight Sugar” (1974), “Misty” (1974), and “Girl Talk” (1976). Isao Suzuki emerged as the other pillar with albums like “Orang-Utan” (1975) defining the Jazz-Funk sound. Vocalist Ayako Hosokawa released “A Whisper of Love” (1974) and “To Mr. Wonderful” (1977). Masaru Imada’s “Green Caterpillar” (1975) and Teruo Nakamura’s fusion masterpiece “Unicorn” (1973) showcased the label’s sonic range. Ben Nishizawa’s distinctive cover art became iconic. TBM won the Jazz Disc Award five times during this era.

Label continued revitalizing the Japanese jazz scene into the early 1980s. Bingo Miki & The Inner Galaxy Orchestra’s “Back To The Sea” (1978) and “Montreux Cyclone” (1979) represented big band ambitions. Ayako Hosokawa’s “Call Me” (1979) and Duke Jordan Trio’s “So Nice Duke” (1982) marked the final significant releases. Production gradually slowed as the decade progressed, spanning Contemporary Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Fusion, Post Bop, and Free Jazz.

CD reissue series “The Famous Sound Of Three Blind Mice” introduced the catalog to wider audiences. In 2019, Craftman Records launched the “Three Blind Mice Supreme Collection 1500” reissuing 40 essential albums through Japan’s Disk Union. Global audiophile and rare groove communities rediscovered TBM’s legendary sound quality. Modern vinyl reissues by Sony Japan and Le Très Jazz Club cemented Three Blind Mice as the definitive Japanese jazz label of the 1970s and a pillar of the international “Wa Jazz” movement.