collaborate#3 Front Cover

collaborate#3

SHIN KOKAWA & SHINPEI RUIKE

Track List

  • Play music
  • Play music

※ Preview may take some time.
※ Preview is not available for songs under copyright collective.

"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.

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

  • SHINPEI RUIKE

    Born in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture,Japan. he first encountered the trumpet in his elementary school brass band. After graduating from high school, he served as a trumpeter in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band. After leaving the service, he moved to Tokyo and studied jazz trumpet under Ryuichi Takase. In 2004, he made his debut on Sony Jazz as a member of the jam band group urb. He later joined Naruyoshi Kikuchi Dub Sextet and DC/PRG, attracting attention through performances at major events such as the Fuji Rock Festival. Under his own name, he released albums with RS5pb, earning high acclaim and invitations to jazz festivals overseas. He also released a duo album with pianist Joji Nakajima, as well as a solo performance work recorded at the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum. He performed the trumpet parts for both the anime and live-action film versions of Kids on the Slope. As a member of ONJQ, led by guitarist Otomo Yoshihide, he toured Europe and the People"s Republic of China, receiving enthusiastic responses in each country. In addition to conventional trumpet techniques, he freely commands airy tones and freaky textures, and is active across a wide range of styles, from jazz to urban avant-garde music, from section work to free improvisation.

    Artist page

Penguinmarket Records