Osamu Kitajima - The Early Years 1972-1981 '2019

Tracks list

Tracklist:

CD1 - Fumio Miyashita & Osamu Kitajima - Shin Chugoku (1972) [EPS003] (00:35:09)
1 Hyakusho Wa Tanoshi (03:31)
2 Paimonyu (03:40)
3 Takai Takai Koanryo (02:21)
4 Ketsumazuitemo (05:49)
5 Monchauni (05:02)
6 Inchunfa (04:06)
7 Kenchokunchantan (03:05)
8 Ronshuiko (03:40)
9 Tohoko (03:52)

CD2 - Benzaiten (1976) [EPS004] (00:39:34)
1 Benzaiten - God Of Music And Water (03:38)
2 Taiyo - The Sun (07:54)
3 Tengu - A Long-Nosed Goblin (05:41)
4 Benzaiten (Reprise) - God Of Music And Water (11:28)
5 Whoma - Immortality (10:52)

CD3 - Osamu (1977) [EPS005] (00:41:39)
1 Sui-In (01:06)
2 Frost Flowers (05:22)
3 Hear The Rain, See It Fall (06:06)
4 Endless Steps (03:53)
5 Yesterday And Karma (05:02)
6 Purple Hills And Crystal Streams (06:07)
7 Elemental Spirits (05:21)
8 Fur, Fin And Feather (07:17)
9 Sui-Yo (01:21)

CD4 - Masterless Samurai (1980) [EPS006] (00:43:44)
1 Golden Mean (05:28)
2 Wild Monk (04:17)
3 Sei (Essence) (03:10)
4 Hitsuku (Where Is The Real Japan?) (03:55)
5 Masterless Samurai (05:12)
6 Breath Of Night (06:55)
7 Edo Townsfolk (03:40)
8 Floating Garden (03:32)
9 Koshaku (To The Point) (03:39)
10 Whoga (Grace) (03:43)

CD5 - Dragon King (1981) [EPS007] (00:38:31)
1 Hot Strings Invasion (05:45)
2 Lake Spirit (03:42)
3 Say You Will (04:16)
4 Share My Love (05:53)
5 Dragon King (06:45)
6 Willow Pattern (06:48)
7 Yamame (05:20)



A special box set that collects all the key early albums from guitarist Osamu
Kitajima – including a few rock moments too! First up is Shinchugoku
– the earliest album weve ever seen from legendary guitarist Osamu
Kitajima – a set thats a bit more pastoral and down to earth, as you
might guess from its cover image! The work is a mellow take on folksy psych
modes – electric and acoustic guitars mixed together on a set of songs
that are hauntingly tuneful, with these evocative lyrics in Japanese that really
fit the melodies – and which somehow have an appeal that goes way beyond
the boundaries of language, thanks to a style thats expressive, but never
overdone. A few tunes are a bit harder rocking, but the records a pretty
laidback affair overall – and titles include Inchunfa, Ronshuiko, Tohoko,
Ketsumazuitemo, Takai Takai Koanryo, and Hyakusho Wa Tanoshi. Next is Benzaiten
– a really unique project from guitarist Osamu Kitajima – a player
you might know from his smoother fusion sets at the end of the 70s – but
who works here in a very trippy blend of Japanese instrumentation and electric
jazz! Kitajima handles a heck of a lot of strings – both acoustic and
electric guitars, bass, and even the biwa – a Japanese style of lute,
which appears to be electrified on the record. Theres also work on hayashi-bue,
narimono, and shakuhachi – other Japanese instruments folded into the
albums mix of fuzz and keyboards – which are often used sparely, but in
ways that bring a nicely psychedelic vibe to the album at times. Osamu vocalizes
a bit – but mostly in ways that just go along with the music – and
titles include Benzaiten, Tengu, Whoma, and Taiyo. The Osamu album follows
– a set thats still got some of the exotic elements of his other
material, but which also brings in a stronger fusion component too –
mixing Kitajimas work on guitar and koto with plenty of Fender Rhodes and other
great electric touches! The set was recorded in LA, and definitely has some warm
Cali fusion elements – but Osamu also still hangs on to some eastern
flavor with his own instrumentation – which is echoed by a bit of
shakuhachi and nohkan by Tatsuya Sano. Theres vocals on a few tracks, but they
dont get in the way much, and with the cool banks of keyboards and nice drums,
you hardly notice them at all! Sweet and breezy – in the best Japanese
70s fusion mode – and with tracks that include Frost Flowers, Elemental
Spirits, and Fur, Fin & Feather. Minnie Riperton also sings vocals on the track
Yesterday & Karma! Masterless Samurai is a record that mixes together LA
electric with some folksier elements, in the continuing exploration of cross
cultural patterns that drifted across Kitajimas work from this time. The albums
got a compelling blend of electric and acoustic instrumentation, and features
work by players that include Clare Fischer, Victor Feldman, Stix Hooper, John
Klemmer, and Bobby Hutcherson. Titles include Floating Garden, Wild Monk, Golden
Mean, and Whoga. Dragon King is a great record from Osamu Kitajima – one
of his most soulful ever! The record features some additional production and
arrangements by Richard Evans – who takes Osamus Japanese fusion style,
and gives it a sparkling modern soul groove thats perfect for US audiences. In
fact, Osamus frequent use of eastern instrumentation – koto, biwa, and
other instruments – works perfectly with the flair for the exotic that
Evans always had during his years at Cadet. Includes the smooth stepper Say You
Will with vocals by Phil Perry and Rena Scott – plus the tracks Yamame,
Dragon King, Willow Pattern, and Share My Love. 

Related artists