Tracing the Steps of Jazz Fusion in Japan: One Album at a Time (1978 to 1979)

1978

 

Burnin' Waves: Toshiyuki Honda (Electric Bird)

This is a special album for me as it was the first Japanese imported album I ever purchased. Saxophonist Toshiyuki Honda is joined by American fusion band Seawind for this recording with Bob Wilson on drums, Ken Wild on bass, Larry Williams on keyboards, Bob Nuanez on guitar, Gary Herbig on sax, Jerry Hey on trumpet, Pauline Wilson on vocals, Eiji Arai on trombone and Tadaomi Anai on percussion.

California Shower: Sadao Watanabe (Flying Disk)

Recorded in California with an all-American band, this was sax player Sadao Watanabe's second fusion recording. It featured Chuck Rainey on bass, Harvey Mason on drums, Dave Grusin on keyboards, Lee Ritenour on guitar, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, Ernie Watts on tenor, George Bohanon on trombone and Oscar Brashear on trumpet.

Hip Seagull: Terumasa Hino (Flying Disk)

Trumpeter Terumasa Hino released his first album in 1967 and this recording saw a definite shift to the fusion sound that was becoming popular in the United States and Japan. Recorded in Tokyo and New York, Hino is joined by Clint Houston on bass, George Ohtsuka on drums, Motohiko Hino on drums, John Scofield on guitar, James Mtume on percussion, Mikio Masuda on keyboards, Kohsuke Mine on sax, Kimiko Kasai and Tawatha on vocals.

Hunt Up Wind: Hiroshi Fukumura with Sadao Watanabe (Flying Disk)

This is another of my very early Japanese album purchases and I'll never tire of the catchy title track. Trombonist Hiroshi Fukumura is joined by Sadao Watanabe on sax and flute, Harvey Mason on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Cornell Dupree on guitar, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, and Don Grusin on keyboards. The album was recorded in Tokyo.

Kenji Shock: Kenji Omura (Alfa)

This album is possibly the most played Japanese fusion album I own. It's on my playlist at home, on my phone, and in my car. A collection of eight irresistibly catchy tunes by guitarist Kenji Omura, joined by Abraham Laboriel and Mike Porcaro on bass, Harvey Mason and Jeff Porcaro on drums, Steve Lukather on guitar, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, Greg Mathieson on organ, Victor Feldman on percussion, Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams on sax, Michael Boddicker on synthesizer, Bill Reichenbach on trombone and Jerry Hey on trumpet. The album was recorded in California.

L.A. Master: Kiyoshi Sugimoto (Express)

Guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto put this great album together with Jake Concepcion and Yasuaki Shimizu on sax, Yuichi Togashiki on drums, Akira Okazawa on bass, Tsunehide Matsuki on guitar, Haruo Togashi and Toshiyuki Daitoku on keyboards, and Motoya Hamaguchi, Nobu Saito and Tatsuya Nakamura on percussion.

Live: Jun Fukamachi & The New York All Stars (Alfa)

Keyboardist Jun Fukamachi assembled an all-star cast of American musicians for this live album recorded over three nights in Japan. Joining Fukamachi are David Sanborn on alto sax, Anthony Jackson on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, Steve Khan on guitar, Richard Tee on keyboards, Mike Mainieri on vibes and percussion, Michael Brecker on tenor sax and Randy Brecker on trumpet.

Lonesome Cat: Kazumi Watanabe (Denon)

Recorded in New York, guitarist Kazumi Watanabe used familiar-named American musicians for this album with Alex Blake and Cecil McBee on bass, Lenny White on drums, and George Cables on keyboards.

Lucky Summer Lady: T-Square (The Square) (CBS/Sony)

Incredible to think that this band's debut album was in 1978. Masahiro Andoh on guitar, Takeshi Itoh on sax and flute, Junko Miyagi, Akihiko Miyasaka and Shirō Sagisu on keyboards, Kiyohiko Semba on percussion, Yuhji Mikuriya on rhythm guitar, Yuhji Nakamura on bass, and Michael S. Kawai on drums and percussion.

Mermaid Boulevard: Kazumi Watanabe & The Gentle Thoughts (Alfa)

Guitarist Kazumi Watanabe's sixth studio album featured the Gentle Thoughts band, a collection of all-star American musicians, with Ernie Watts on tenor saxophone and flute, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, Jun Fukamachi on synthesizer, Lee Ritenour on guitar, Anthony Jackson on bass, Harvey Mason on drums, Steve Forman on percussion, and Minako Yoshida on vocals.

Midnight Lover: T-Square (The Square) (CBS/Sony)

The Square's second release came hot on the heels of the success of their debut album. At the time, T-Square were Masahiro Andoh on guitar, Takeshi Itoh on alto saxophone, Junko Miyagi on keyboards, Yuhji Nakamura on bass, Michael S. Kawai on drums, Kiyohiko Semba on percussion and synthesizer, Shirō Sagisu - ARP String Ensemble, and Yuhji Mikuriya on additional guitars.

Nature's Revenge: Ryo Kawasaki Group (MPS Records)

Another outstanding offering from guitarist Ryo Kawasaki with an all-American band, featuring Buddy Williams on drums, Alex Blake on bass, and special guest Dave Liebman on tenor and soprano sax.

New York: Various Artists (CBS/Sony)

A New York-themed offering from various Japanese fusion and session guitarists with tracks from Shigeru Suzuki, Masaki Matsubara, Kimio Mizuitani, Kazumasa Akiyama, Kenji Omura, Masaru Yajima, and Kazuo Takeda.

On Guitar: Masayoshi Takanaka (Invitation)

Another bright and breezy collection of songs from guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, many of which are covers from artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Billy Joel and Boz Scaggs. Takanaka is joined by Getao Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono on bass, Robert Brill and Yukihiro Takahashi on drums, Kiyosumi Ishikawa on keyboards, and Motoya Hamaguchi and Hashida "Pecker" Masahito on percussion.

On The Move: Jun Fukamachi(Alfa)

Another great album from keyboard player Jun Fukamachi, with a now familiar cast of American musicians. Anthony Jackson on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, Eric Gale on guitar, Erroll Bennett on percussion, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker and Ronnie Cuber on sax, Barry Rogers on trombone, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Mike Mainieri on vibes and Lani Groves on vocals.

Orange Sky-Endless Summer: Izumi Kobayashi & Flying Mimi Band (Philips)

The first of two albums released by singer and keyboard player Izumi Kobayashi, with the Flying Mimi Band featuring Yuichi Togashiki on drums, Morio Watanabe on bass, Yasuaki Shimizu on sax and Takayuki Hijikata on guitar. Guest artists on the album included Kiyoshi Sugimoto on guitar and Shigeharu Mukai on trombone.

Push: Noriko Miyamoto with Isao Suzuki (Yupiteru Records)

Great album from vocalist Noriko Miyamoto. She is joined by bass player Isao Suzuki, along with Akira Doi on drums, Tatsuhiko Hizawa on bass, Kazumasa Akiyama and Yuji Karaki on guitar, Tatsuji Yokoyama on percussion, and Masanori Sasaji on keyboards.

Ruumu Sand (流字夢サンド): Masaki Matsubara (Victor)

Debut album from guitarist Masaki Matsubara with Getao Takahashi and Keisuke Miyashita on bass, Goro Masaki and Shuichi Murakami on drums, Ryuichiro Senoo on harmonica, Masaki Matsubara and Nobu Saito on percussion, Makiko Tashiro on keyboards, Shigeo Fuchino on sax, Jake Concepcion and Ken Muraoka on sax, Eiji Arai on trombone, and Shin Kazuhara on trumpet.

Sailing Wonder: Yoshiaki Masuo (Electric Bird)

Guitarist Yoshiaki Masuo teamed up with four members of Stuff, plus other guests to produce this great album. Al Mack, Howard King and Steve Gadd on drums, Gordon Edwards and T.M. Stevens on bass, Eric Gale on guitar, Warren Smith on percussion, Richard Tee on keyboards and Dave Grusin and Mike Nock on synthesizers.

Sea Flight: Izumi Kobayashi & Flying Mimi Band (Philips)

The second album of 1978 by singer/keyboardist Izumi Kobayashi. The Flying Mimi Band still featured Morio Watanabe on bass, Yasuaki Shimizu on sax, and Takayuki Hijikata on guitar, but Martin K. Bracey was now on drums, and trumpeter Jerry Hey was a guest artist. The album cover is certainly memorable!

Second Thoughts/Second Move: Prism (Polydor)

Prism's second offering with the band's line-up remaining the same as the first album: Akira Wada and Katsutoshi Morizono on guitar, Ken Watanabe on bass, Daisaku Kume and Kouki "Corky" Itoh on keyboards, Toru "Rika" Suzuki on drums.

Seffanie De Praia: Naoya Matsuoka (Discomate)

Fusion with a latin feel from keyboard player Naoya Matsuoka. The album features Akira Okazawa and Kazuya Sugimoto on bass, Yuichi Togashiki on drums, Fujio Saito, Larry Sunaga, Minoru Ishiyama, Motoya Hamaguchi, Osamu Nakajima, Yuji Ishida and Yuji Yoshikawa on percussion (yes, seven percussionists!), Tadanori Konakawa on trombone, and Kunitoshi Shinohara, Masanobu Arao and Yoshishige Kato on trumpet.

Soft Landing: Takeru Moraoka & His New Group (Seven Seas)

Sax player Takeru Moraoka released this fusion-flavoured album with Michael Kawai on drums, Michio Nagaoka on bass, Takao Naoi on guitar, Kiyohiko Senba on percussion, Masanori Sasaji on keyboards, and Susumu Kazuhara on trumpet and flugelhorn.

Village in Bubbles: Kazumi Watanabe with Manhattan Blaze (Better Days)

Another great fusion offering from guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. The album was recorded in New York and Manhattan Blaze were Yoshiaki Masuo on guitar, Mickey Tucker on keyboards, Alex Blake on bass, Idris Muhammad on drums, Ray Mantilla and No-Bu on percussion, and Joe Chambers on vibes. The horn section was Jon Faddis, Earl Gardner, Frank Gordon and Virgil Jones on trumpet, Greg Williams on french horn, Earl McKintyre and Janice Robinson on trombone, Ron Bridgewater on tenor sax, and Frank Strozier on alto and flute.

1979

 

All-In All-Out: Masahiko Satoh (Openskye)

This was Masahiko Satoh's first venture into fusion and yielded some great results. He's joined by Harvey Mason on drums, Francisco Centeno on bass, Ryo Kawasaki on guitar, Rubens Bassini on percussion, David Liebman on sax, Barry Rogers on trombone, Alan Rubin and Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Dave Taylor on bass trombone.

Big Apple: Teruo Nakamura Rising Sun Band (Agharta)

Recorded in New York, bass player Teruo Nakamura's Rising Sun Band featured Buddy Williams, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Ronnie Burrage and Greg Bandy on drums, Bill Washer and Barry Finnerty on guitar, Mark Gray and Kinny Laudram on keyboards, Jay Byalick on synthesizer, Bob Mintzer and Steve Grossman on sax, Hubert Laws and Paula Bing on flute, Randy Brecker on flugelhorn, Gerald Chamberlain and John Mosca on trombone, and Danny Cahn and Dave Stahl on trumpet.

Butterfly: Kimiko Kasai(CBS/Sony)

Vocalist Kimiko Kasai teamed up with Herbie Hancock for this 1979 album that featured six Hancock compositions. As well as Herbie Hancock on keyboards and vocoder, there was Paul Jackson on bass, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, Ray Obiedo on guitar, Webster Lewis on keyboards, Bill Summers on percussion, and Bennie Maupin on saxophone.

Casiopea: Casiopea (Alfa)

Along with T-Square, Casiopea are Japan's longest running fusion band with their debut album making its appearance in 1979. At the time, the band featured Tetsuo Sakurai on bass, Takashi Sasaki on drums, Issei Noro on guitar, Minoru Mukaiya on keyboards, with David Sanborn and Michael on sax, and Randy Brecker on trumpet.

City Connection: Terumasa Hino (Flying Disk)

Trumpeter Terumasa Hino totally embraces the fusion/funk sound with this New York recorded album. He's joined by David Spinozza on guitar, Anthony Jackson on bass, Howard King on drums, Harry Whitaker and L. Leon Pendarvis on keyboards, Marvin Stamm and Randy Brecker on trumpet, David Tofani, Ronnie Cuber, Dave Liebman and Harold Vick on sax, David Bargeron and Wayne Andre on trombone, Nana on percussion, and Janice Pendarvis and Lani Groves on vocals.

Cool Alley: Katsutoshi Morizono (Electric Bird)

Recorded in California, this album from guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono features Jim Keltner on drums, Harvey Newmark on bass, Satoshi Nakamura on keyboards and sax, Larry Knechtel on keyboads, Chuck Findlay and Ollie Mitchell on trumpet, George R. Bohanon on trombone, Jackie Kelso on sax, Mac Shimizu on percussion, and Yumiko "Minnie" Nakamura on vocals.

Cosmos '51: Shigeru Suzuki (Panam)

Guitarist Shigeru Suzuki recorded this album in Japan and California. He is joined by Robert Brill and Yukihiro Takahashi on drums, Ray Ohara on bass, Jun Satou and Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards, Tom Scott, Ernie Watts and Buddy Collette on sax, Jerry Hey, Dennis Christianson and Stuart Blumberg on trumpet, Jack Redmond on trombone, Toshiaki Usui on acoustic guitar, Pecker and Nobu Saito on percussion, and Sherlie Matthews, Anthony Walthers and Venetta Fields on vocals.

Day Break: Naoya Matsuoka & His All Stars (Union Records)

Keyboard player Naoya Matsuoka is back with another latin flavoured album. His all stars on this recording are Kazumi Takeda and Kenji Nakazawa on flugelhorn and trumpet, Shigeharu Mukai on trombone, Hidefumi Toki, Yasuaki Shimizu and Takeshi Itoh on sax, Masaaki Itoh on bass, Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami on drums, and Osamu Nakajima, Yoshinori Nohmi and Hideo Yamaki on percussion.

Galaxy: The Players (Openskye)

Galaxy was the debut album from a five-piece band led by keyboard player Hiromasa "Colgen" Suzuki, with Mabumi Yamaguchi on saxophone, Tsunehide Matsuki on guitar, Akira Okazawa on bass and Yuhichi Togashiki on drums. Supporting musicians on the album were Ichiro Nitta and Junichi Kanezaki on trumpet, Harumi Mita, Hideo Iguchi and Yasuo Hirauchi on trombone, George Okada on bass trombone, and Tadaomi Anai on percussion.

Good Morning: Yoshiaki Masuo (Electric Bird)

Great album from guitarist Yoshiaki Masuo, recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Masuo is joined by Motoaki Masuo on guitar, Robbie Gonzales on drums, T.M. Stevens on bass, Delie on organ, Victor Bruce Godsey on keyboards, Shirley Masuo on percussion, Margaret Ross on harp, and Josan on vocals.

The Wind Whispers: Naoya Matsuoka & Wesing (Warner Bros. Records)

This is keyboard player Naoya Matsuoka's first album with his band, Wesing, with Hidefumi Toki and Takeshi Ito on sax, Yuji Nakamura on bass, Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami on drums, Kazumi Takeda and Kenji Nakazawa on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kenji Omura and Masayoshi Takanaka on guitar, Osamu Nakajima and Pecker on percussion, and Tadanori Konakawa on trombone.

Kylin: Kazumi Watanabe (Better Days)

Another gem from guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. Recorded at Nippon Columbia Studio, Watanabe was joined by Toshiyuki Honda on sax, Ray Ohara on bass, Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami on drums, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Akiko Yano and Mikio Masuda on keyboards, Yasuaki Shimizu on sax, Shigeharu Mukai on trombone, and Pecker on percussion.

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