Albums in reverse chronological order

Kevin McHugh & Nariiki Big Band - NEXT

Lush pieces for a 12-piece ensemble by versatile Tokyo-based pianist Kevin McHugh, around the theme of order and chaos..
Kevin McHUGH (ケビン・マキュー) piano + keyboards + leader
Ryuuichi YOSHIDA (吉田隆一) baritone sax 
Akihiko ANDO (安藤暁彦) effects
Daigo WAKASUGI (若杉大悟) drums
Takumi MATSUMURA (松村拓海) flute
Kousuke OCHIAI (落合康介) bass
Kojun SATO (佐藤公淳) tenor sax + flute
Andy BEVAN (アンディ・べヴァン) alto sax + flute
Kali GREY (ヒュー・ロイド) contrabass clarinet
Yasuko KANEKO (金子泰子) trombone 
Yoichiro KITA (北陽一郎) trumpet
Christoper HARDY (クリストファー・ハーディ) percussion

​Buy it here.

nouon - KUU

The first release by the difficult-to-categorize but extremely listenable quartet nouon, featuring memorable themes and rousing solos played by a very unique instrumentation.

Azusa Yamada - Vibraphone
Kevin McHugh - Fender Rhodes
Kali Grey - Contrabass Clarinet
Junpei Yamamoto - Drums

​Buy it here.

Kali Grey (as Huw Lloyd) - Sketches for Steve

Solo clarinet and contrabass clarinet reflections on the music of Steve Lacy, whose instrumental tunes,   vocal compositions and philosophy Huw has been fascinated with since first encountering them in college. Meeting and studying with the composer himself in Paris only heightened that interest, and this recording was made after a few years of leading a band dedicated solely to Lacy's music, which required close study of it.

Kali Grey - Clarinet & Contrabass Clarinet
Dan Hegedus - Voice
​
Buy it here. (currently unavailable)

Kali Grey (as Huw Lloyd) - Nothing to Realise:
 
                        Eleven Truths from Sri Ramana Maharshi

A series of eleven jazz "hymns" based on quotations by Tamil sage "Bhagavan" Sri Ramana Maharshi translated into English, plus two traditional songs arranged instrumentally. This album represents the culmination of Huw's interest in this sage's teachings in the Hindu Advaita tradition. Through gently flowing melodies and among subtle textures, the core principles of this particularly peaceful and reflective philosophy are delivered in a style that connects the ancient and modern.

Julianne Spicer - Voice
Huw Lloyd - Clarinet
Takashi Igarashi - Guitars
Kentaro Ebiko - Acoustic Bass

Buy it here.

Billy Spangles Group - UK-Japan 2008 Tour

A part of the international festival after which it is named, this album was made in Tokyo by the regular members of Billy Spangles Group plus three guest artists visiting from the UK. After a tour of the Kanto and Kansai regions, a two-day recording session produced this vibrant material, a testament to the skill and creative spirit of all of the collaborators involved.

Kali Grey - clarinet
Hideaki Aoki - tenor & soprano saxophones
Richard Ormrod - sopranino saxophone, bass clarinet & flute
Atsushi Matsunaga - tuba
Takashi Igarashi - guitar
Riaan Vosloo - acoustic bass
​Graham Fox - drums

Buy it here. (currently unavailable)

​Billy Spangles Group - The Ballad of Cloudy Bongwater

Roughly recorded and brimming with personality, this is Huw's first release as a leader. Featuring all original compositions ranging from bouncy jazz through latin and waltz to slow blues, it is inspired by friends made and experiences had in Japan. 

Kali Grey - Clarinet
Hideaki Aoki - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
Takashi Igarashi - Guitar
Masako Otsuka - Acoustic Bass

Buy it here.