The Bulletin #14 : Ispirazioni Culturali e Artisti - SERICA
THE BOOK
PORTRAITS IN JAZZ/ Haruki Murakami & Makoto Wada (1997)
Published only in Japanese and Spanish, this unusually structured book is best explored at random, moving from one artist to another through Murakami’s personal stories and memories surrounding their records.
It feels a little like taking a seat beside Haruki Murakami at a table in Peter Cat, his legendary Tokyo jazz club, and simply listening to the stories of a lifelong music lover.
Each musician is portrayed in a painting by Murakami’s friend and artist Makoto Wada.
Keep your streamer close at hand. Every story deserves its own soundtrack.
THE FILM
THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN / Sydney Pollack (1979)
The Electric Horseman brings together Robert Redford and Jane Fonda in a modern Western whose apparent simplicity leads us back to the enduring values of the American West.
It follows a man gradually rediscovering his true nature and convictions through his bond with a wounded horse and a return to the wilderness.
Breathtaking landscapes and cinematography remind us that a great story, told without unnecessary artifice, needs no special effects to transport us elsewhere.
Willie Nelson’s appearance as manager and confidant adds one final note of pleasure to an already beautifully balanced film.
THE LABEL
THREE BLIND MICE
At a time when Japanese jazz is being rediscovered and original pressings command increasingly serious prices, Three Blind Mice stands as one of the defining labels of the genre.
Founded in Tokyo in 1970 by producer Takeshi “Tee” Fujii, and often compared to America’s Blue Note, TBM captures the remarkable creativity of Japanese jazz at its peak.
Renowned for the quality of its recordings and audiophile pressings, the label developed a distinctive sound: balanced, precise and remarkably natural. Music you can listen to for hours, whether attentively or in the background, without fatigue.
More than 130 albums were recorded over two decades. Most remain the preserve of collectors and enthusiasts fortunate enough to uncover a few treasures in Japan.
Five albums are now available online.
Listen without moderation here.
THE COCKTAIL
Cold Brew Lychee Soda
As unlikely as it may sound on paper, this combination simply works.
A remarkably refreshing drink for the curious palate, built around an unexpectedly delicate balance. The sweetness of lychee softens the acidity and bitterness of the coffee, while the coffee cuts through the fruit’s sweetness without overpowering its fragrance.
Sparkling water adds playfulness and lift, while fresh lemon brings just the right amount of tension.
Serve in a tumbler filled with ice.
- 2 parts sparkling water
- 1 dash Monin lychee syrup, or 2 parts lychee juice
- Juice of ¼ lemon
- Top with 3 parts cold brew coffee
- Garnish with 3 whole lychees
Discover the magic.
