Alfonso Soliano laid the foundations for broadcast and studio music in Malaysia, and it's often said that no one has shaped the sound of modern Malaysian music more than he did. This release unearths rare recordings pressed in editions of only a few dozen copies for radio broadcast, which essentially never circulated publicly. Drawing on the vocabulary of bebop and swing jazz as well as Latin music, and incorporating big band arrangements while tying them to elements of traditional Malay music, Soliano forged a uniquely Malaysian modern sound that is at once sophisticated and rooted in local tradition — his little-known work distilled into 11 tracks on this invaluable album. Every piece here is an original composition, with performances from leading Malaysian musicians of the era such as Johari Salleh and Ahmad Nawab. Includes liner notes documenting Soliano's life and achievements, plus previously unpublished archival photographs. Gatefold sleeve. (Original Japanese text by Adachi)