Although Kohsuke Mine's 1970 album Mine is generally regarded as the Japanese saxophonist’s debut as a band leader, he had actually recorded one called First a month earlier. The LP, featuring pianist Masabumi Kikuchi and two visiting American musicians – bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Lenny McBrowne – has been out of print since it first appeared over 40 years ago. It's now being reissued in BBE's J Jazz Masterclass series.

In The Wire 446, Mine speaks with James Hadfield about the Japanese jazz scene then and now, his first forays into free jazz and much more. Read the full interview in print or online.

BBE's reissue of First is available from 30 April.