collaborate#3 (feat. SHINPEI RUIKE) Front Cover

collaborate#3 (feat. SHINPEI RUIKE)

SHIN KOKAWA

Track List

Release Date: 2026/05/12

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"13artists x 3works" is a relentless 13-week project by drummer Shin KOKAWA, featuring 3 tracks with 13 different collaborators. In this third installment, Kokawa joins forces with Shinpei Ruike, one of the most prominent trumpeters at the forefront of the Japanese jazz scene.

Known for his pivotal roles in Naruyoshi Kikuchi Dub Sextet and DC/PRG, as well as his own project "RS5pb" and his performance in the acclaimed anime/film "Kids on the Slope" (Sakamichi no Apollon), Ruike brings an overwhelming presence to this session.

The EP features three tracks: a powerful cover of the modern jazz masterpiece "Afro Blue" - famously performed by John Coltrane - and two originals, "Echoes of Thought" and "Dream of Fragments," where improvisational thrill meets meticulous composition.

Inspired by "Sennichi Kaihogo," a severe ascetic training at Mount Hiei, Kokawa seeks "the scenery visible only through extreme physical load". Ruike's signature airy yet edgy tones resonate with Kokawa's robust drumming, resulting in a unique and tense ensemble that pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz.

Past Playlist In

Afro Blue

Apple Music • Jazz Scene: Japan • 29 May 2026 Spotify • New Music Everyday - tuneTracks (curated by TuneCore Japan) • 12 May 2026

Artist Profile

  • SHIN KOKAWA

    In his pursuit of live drum expression, improvisational artist SHIN KOKAWA resonates with Japanese spirituality, including indigenous nature worship and the sublime concepts of Zen. He internalizes a diverse range of genres: free jazz, spiritual jazz, world music, ambient, and hardcore. By infusing the primitive, powerful, and beautiful sounds of his instruments with the raw intuition of the moment, he creates soundscapes that depict the vastness of the universe. Making his major debut as a founding member of the instrumental band jizue (founded in 2006), Kokawa has performed at numerous large-scale festivals in Japan and abroad, including the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL. Since embarking on a solo career in 2019, he has released his 1st album 'ANIMA' (2020) and a 2nd album 'touch the sub conscious' (2024), which features collaborations with renowned artists such as Seiichi Yamamoto, Shing02, and Shun Ishiwaka. He is also an active member of the Kyoto-based experimental band kott, with whom he performed at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2023. In 2026, he launched '13 ARTIST X 3 WORKS,' an ambitious project featuring collaborations with 13 different artists and 39 tracks to be released consecutively every week.

    Artist page

    SHIN KOKAWAの他のリリース

Penguinmarket Records