Norio Maeda & All Stars - Rock Communication "Yagi Bushi"

Year : 2017/1970
Label : Deep Jazz Reality/Teichiku Records

Serie : HMV Project Re:Vinyl

Genre : Jazz, Folk

Style : Fusion, Jazz Rock

"Rock Communication" is a concept fusion album by the piano master of japanese avant-garde (check his album "Revolution") featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kaoru Iiyoshi & Takeshi Inomata. As similar projects of drummer Akira Ishikawa, "Drum Yagibushi Drum" or saxophonist Kosuke Ichihara's "Now Sound '75" albums Norio Maeda revisits some popular standards of the japanese folk repertoire in the psychedelic rock style. During the late sixties and the early seventies, Norio Maeda collaborated as well as arranger and pianist to various jazz rock albums for eminent japanese jazz musicians among others the saxophonist Jiro Inagaki (This Is Jazz Rock), Akira Ishikawa (Bakishinba - Memories Of Africa) and Takeshi Inomata (Drum Method). 

MUSICIANS : Norio Maeda - piano - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - electric guitar - Mitsuo Murakami - rhythm guitar - Kaoru Iiyoshi - electric piano, Hammond organ - Mihiro Arai & Masahiro Arashi - bass - Koichi Uchida - vibes - Takeshi Inomata & Takahiro Suzuki - drums - Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet - Shigeo Suzuki - flute, piccolo, clarinet, alto sax

Hiromasa Suzuki - High-Flying

Year : 2016/1976

Label : Deep Jazz Reality/Nippon Columbia

Serie : HMV Project Re:Vinyl

Genre : Jazz

Style : Jazz Funk

The crossover jazz masterpiece "High Flying" ws reissued for the HMV Japan stores by  the Yusuke Ogawa's Deep Jazz Reality. Recorded by master Hiromasa "Colgen" Suzuki (one leader of the post-jazz rock era during the seventies in Japan), "High Flying" was produced by Jiro Inagaki, the man who was the footbridge between Jazz Rock and Jazz Funk periods, with his group the Soul Media. Suzuki was an actives guest member of the Jiro Inagaki's band, collaborating on several records, in charge of arrangements and compositions on the "Funky Stuff" album recorded in 1974. "High-Flying" brings together some best players of the japanese Fusion scene as keyboardist Jun Fukamachi, guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto or drummer Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami. Titles include the disco-funk tracks "Scramble", "Straight Flash", "Between O&M" (reminiscence of the Herbie Hancock style including amazing bass line) and "Out Of Focus" featuring scat songtress Kayoko Ishu from Singers Three, selected by Kyoto Jazz Massive for their "Shibuya Jazz Classics - Kyoto Jazz Massive Collection" compilation. All tracks composed and arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

MUSICIANS : Hiromasa Suzuki & Jun Fukamachi - keyboards, synthesizer, piano - Jiro Inagaki - saxophones, flute - Akira Okazawa & Kenji Takamizu - electric bass - Fujimaru Yoshino, Kiyoshi Sugimoto & Masayoshi Takanaka - electric guitar - Shuichi Murakami - drums - Larry Sunaga - percussion - Kayoko Ishu - vocal

Akira Ishikawa & The Gentures - Beat Pops / Drum Hits

Year : 1970
Label : Denon
Genre : Jazz, Rock
Style : Jazz Rock, Pop

Originally recorded in 1969, "Beat Pops / Drum Hits" is a cover album of international pop hits from the late sixties, performed by the first incarnation of the Count Buffalos conducted by jazz drummer Akira Ishikawa. Titles include various western popular songs such as "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies, "Come Together" by The Beatles, "Green River" by The Creedance, "Love Me Tonight" by Tom Jones, "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley or the Rolling Stones' classic "Honky Tonk Women". Among others titles include a french song, "Aime Ceux Qui T'aiment" by Danièle Vidal, best known in Japan than in France under "Tenshi No Rakugaki" name. All tracks arranged by Masahiko Aoi.

MUSICIANS : Akira Ishikawa - drums - Takeshi Onodera - percussion - Hiromasa Suzuki - keyboards - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Masaoki Terakawa & Isao Eto - bass - Takeru Muraoka - soprano saxophone - Hiroshi Suzuki - trombone - Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet

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Count Buffalo & The Jazz Rock Band - Soul & Rock

Year : 1969
Label : Denon
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Modal

Free Jazz Rock album including cover songs and original compositions recorded by the Count Buffalo band, pioneer of the Japanese Jazz Rock style featuring jazz giant pianist/arranger Masahiko Satō. The second album of Akira Ishikawa under the Count Buffalo nickname, who was actives since the mid-fifties as prolific percussionist and most famous jazz drummer with Motohiko Hino, Takeshi Inomata & George Kawaguchi. Titles include free forms of Jazz & psychedelic rock from The Beatles (Michelle, Hey Jude), the Motown's iconic song "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" which was performed by The Supremes, The Temptations & Stevie Wonder, the negro spiritual "Deep River", two compositions of Masahiko Satō "The Cougar" & "No More Than A Drop". All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki & Masahiko Satō.

MUSICIANS : Akira Ishikawa - drums - Masaoki Terakawa - bass - Masahiko Satō - piano - Hiromasa Suzuki - electric piano - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Takeru Muraoka - saxophone

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Yuji Ohno & Friends - LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] - Bossa & Fusion

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Year : 2002
Label : VAP
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Bossa Nova, Jazz Funk, Fusion   

The 4th volume in the twelve LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] discs serie recorded during the 1998-2008 decade. As the title suggests, it's a mostly Bossa Nova album featuring the mellow voice of Sonia Rosa (including classic themes from Lupin The Third sung in portuguese) and Jazz Funk tracks. "Bossa & Fusion" is the fourth collaboration between Yuji Ohno and Sonia Rosa after "Spiced With Brazil" released in 1974, "Space Kid" in 1978 and "Samba Amour" in 1979. The duo is supported by a rhythm section including guest musicians as the renowned guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto, saxophonist Masabumi Yamaguchi, percussionist Tatsuji Yokoyama and drummer Yasushi Ichihara from You & The Explosion Band. Titles include main themes of Lupin III and four songs especially composed for the TV Special "Episode 0 : First Contact". All tracks composed & arranged by Yuji Ohno.

Yuji Ohno - Mad Police '80

Year : 1993
Label : VAP
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen
Style : Jazz Funk, Disco, Pop

Mad Police '80 (Daigekito Mad Police) was a police drama serie ranked in the hard boiled genre, produced by the TOEI Company, and composed of 26 episodes, originally  broadcasted on NTV from april to september 1980. Recorded in 1979, the soundtrack is among the best work of Yuji Ohno, one more time surrounded by his Jazz Funk-Disco band "You & The Explosion Band" featuring jazz guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Tsunehide Matsuki, Michio Nagaoka, Yasushi Ichihara, all supported by full string orchestra. Titles include over thirty tracks offered in several variations, the opening (Theme From "Daigekito") &the  ending theme ("How Can You Love The City" featuring Noboru Kimura). All tracks are composed & arranged by Yuji Ohno.

MUSICIANS : Yuji Ohno - keyboards - Michio Nagaoka - bass - Tsunehide Matsuki - electric guitar - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - accoustic guitar - Yuichi Tokashiki - drums - Yasushi Ichihara - drums - Susumu Kazuhara - trumpet

TRACKLIST : Yuji Ohno - Theme From "Daigekito" (TV Size) Opening - JAPAN MAFIA - MAD POLICE - Illusion of MAD CITY - Theme From "Daigekito" (Ballad Versions) - BIG BATTLE - Theme From Daigekito (Variations Theme - Opening) - How Can You Love The City (Instrumental) - How Can You Love The City (TV Size) / You & The Explosion Band Feat. Noboru Kimura - How Can You Love The City (Single Version) - Theme From "Daigekito"

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Count Buffalo & His Rock Band - Exciting Drums ~ African Rock Party

Year : 1969
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Exciting Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, Latin Rock

Debut album introducing the Count Buffalo's name, behind which hide Akira Ishikawa & his rock band featuring pianist/arranger Hiromasa Suzuki, Kiyoshi Sugimoto (eg), Takeru Muraoka (ts) and Masaoki Terakawa (eb). "African Rock Party" opens the african period of the legendary jazz drummer, including twelve jazz rock tracks to the african & latin beats with psychedelic grooves & funky horns, all arranged by Kozaburo Yamaki & Hiroshi Takami from the Toshiyuki Miyama's New Herd. Titles include only covers & jazz standards (The Sidewinder, The Cat) from Soul to Rock among The Supremes (You Keep Me Hangin' On),The Doors (Touch Me) or Booker T. & The MG's (Soul Limbo).

Kiyoshi Sugimoto - Guitar Method

Year : 1972

Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Master Sonic, Method Series
Genre : Jazz

Style : Jazz Rock, Pop

Among the best crossover jazz album taken from the "Method Series" of the Nippon Columbia including pop/rock hits revisited by japanese jazz guitarist, Kiyoshi Sugimoto featuring pianist/arranger Hiromasa Suzuki. "Guitar Method" is mainstream album in the manner of the Creed Taylor's productions, a more commercial approach with strings arrangements. The meeting between Jazz and Pop music in which Sugimoto fits into a guitar hero stance, discharging insane guitar solos like on "Get In On", supported by the acid organ sounds from Suzuki. Titles include iconic songs of the pop music ("Madman Across The Water" by Elton John, "Imagine" by John Lennon) and all Rock 'N Roll styles represented from Heavy Metal (Led Zeppelin - Black Dog) to Progressive rock (The Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes or "Everybody's Everything" by Santana) by Glam Rock (T-Rex - Get In On) or Soft Rock (Carol King - It's Too Late, Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

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Hiromasa Suzuki - Rock Joint Biwa ~ Kumikyoku Fulukotofumi

Year : 1972
Label : RCA
Serie : DYNAGROOVE
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock, World Music, Psychedelic Rock

"Rock Joint Biwa", is the first part of experimental musical project, the unfinished trilogy of pianist Hiromasa Suzuki called "Rock Joint", mixing Jazz Rock with Oriental music featuring Akira Ishikawa, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kunimitsu Inaba and Takeru Muraoka. The album is a psychedelic work based on the "Kojiki" (also called Fulukotofumi), a compilation of myths, legends and oral traditions from the ancient Japan. Recorded during the same session as the "Rock Joint - Cither", the album showcases japanese traditional instruments including wadaiko and biwa played by Akira Ishikawa & Kuifumi Miyake. Titles include the musical piece for biwa, "Yamatoshi Uruwashi", "Hi No Kawa" featuring the Tamaki Quartet, from heavy-metal (Ananiyashiewotomewo) to smooth-jazz (Watatsumi No Irokonomiya). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

MUSICIANS : Hiromasa Suzuki - piano, electric piano - Kunimitsu Inaba - bass - Hideo Sekine - drums - Kuifumi Miyake - biwa - Akira Ishikawa - wadaiko - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Takehisa Suzuki - trumpet - Takeru Muraoka - tenor saxophone - Tadataka Nakazawa - trombone - Tamaki Quartet - strings

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Akira Ishikawa Trio & R&B All Stars - Soul Session Jazz Goes R&B

Year : 1969

Label : Philips
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul

"Soul Session" is a crossover jazz album recorded by the Akira Ishikawa Trio featuring bassist Masaoki Terakawa and pianist Masahiko Sato, themselves supported by the R&B All Stars including Kiyoshi Sugimoto and Hiromasa Suzuki. Akira Ishikawa takes over some famous massive hits of the western pop music (I Say A Little Prayer, Day Tripper), Funk and R&B standards coming from the kings & queens of Soul such as Otis Redding (...The Dock Of The Bay), Eddie Floyd (Knock On Wood), Sam&Dave (Hold On, I'm Comin') or Aretha Franklin (Chain Of Fools). "Day Tripper", "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" & "Sunny" are exclusively performed by the Akira Ishikawa Trio. All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki, Masahiko Sato & Kunihiko Murai.

   

MUSICIANS : Akira Ishikawa - drums - Masaoki Terakawa - bass - Masahiko Sato - piano, electric piano - Hiromasa Suzuki - electric piano - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Hiroshi Suzuki - trombone - Tetsuo Fushimi & Koji Hatori - trumpet

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Yuji Ohno Trio - LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] - The 2nd

Year : 2000
Label : VAP
Serie : LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ]
Genre : Jazz
Style : Cool Jazz, Latin Jazz

Second album of the Yuji Ohno Trio featuring Yuji Ohno (p), Yoshio Suzuki (b) and Kenichiro Murata (ds), released for the LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] serie, including Cool Jazz & Latin expressions. As on their previous record, the trio is supported by guests musicians whose the japanese jazz great Kiyoshi Sugimoto on guitar, Joe Yamada on tenor saxophone, Tatsuji Yokoyama on percussion, Toku on flugelhorn, vocal and others singers. Titles include variations on opening & ending themes from Lupin The 3rd featuring songstress Cynthia Dewberry (Lupin The Third) & Lileth (Take Me, Stolen Moments), theme from Cagliostro No Shiro (Treasures Of Time), "Deep Night Call" & "Treasures Of Time" feat. Toku. All tracks composed & arranged by Yuji Ohno.

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Yuji Ohno Trio - LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ]

Year : 1999

Label : VAP
Serie : LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ]

Genre : Jazz

Style : Cool  Jazz, Latin Jazz

The first Yuji Ohno Trio's album opening the new LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] serie, released under VAP label since 1999. "Lupin The Third Jazz" introduces his new line-up featuring japanese jazz giant Yoshio Suzuki (b) & Kenichiro Murata (ds), his mostly jazz trio formation of the early decade 2000. Yoshio "Chin" Suzuki is one of the best japanese jazz bassist who evolved in groups the Gil Evans Orchestra, The Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and was sideman for saxophonist Kohsuke Mine, pianists Masabumi Kikuchi & Takehiro Honda. The trio is supported by guests musicians including Yasushi Ichihara, former member of "You & The Explosion Band" (replaces Kenichiro Murata on "Love Theme"), percussionist Tatsuji Yokoyama, saxophonist Joe Yamada and other japanese jazz great, the guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto. The tracklist is based on classics songs from Lupin The 3rd revisited including variations on the opening & ending themes (Theme From Lupin III, Love Squall, Love Theme), on "Funny Walk In Old Fashion" (Funny Walk) and new compositions by Yuji Ohno (O Men A Mor, Members Only). All tracks arranged & composed by Yuji Ohno.

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Kiyoshi Sugimoto Quintet - Babylonia Wind

Year : 1971
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : The Essence Of Jazz Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock

"Babylonia Wind" is an essential of the japanese jazz albums, masterpiece of jazz guitar performed by the Kiyoshi Sugimoto Quintet featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto at the top of his game. The quintet is based on the same rhythm trio as on his previous album (Country Dream), including bassist Yoshio Ikeda & drummer Motohiko Hino, while Hideo Ichikawa replaces Hiromasa Suzuki on electric piano with Takao Uematsu on tenor saxophone in addition. Titles include deep grooves with free improvisations (Rosetta Stone, Colsabard Hill), modal expressions (Hieroglyph) or jazz tinged with psychedelic rock (Babylonia Wind, Mr Darius). All tracks composed and arranged by Kiyoshi Sugimoto.

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Yoshiaki Masuo And His Group - Winds Of Barcelona

Year : 1969

Label : CBS
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

Debut album in the Montgomery's style from the japanese boss of guitar featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kazuo Yashiro, Larry Sunaga,  Yoshio Suzuki & Fumio Watanabe from the Takehiro Honda Trio. Influenced by Wes Montgomery and the Grant Green's works, Yoshiaki Masuo has been spotted by saxophonist Sadao Watanabe who launched his professional career in joining up his quartet from 1967. In the late sixties, he was enrolled in the Sharps & Flats by band leader Nobuo Hara and played for pianist Takehiro Honda on his debut album within Sadao Watanabe Quartet. In 1971, he moved to New York where he played for his fellow countryman bassist Teruo Nakamura, prestigious musicians like Lenny White, Michael Brecker, Chick Korea or Elvin Jones, and later in 1973 within the Sonny Rollins group. Titles include pop cover songs by Laura Nyro (Stoned Soul Picnic), Simon & Garfunkel (Scarborough Fair), Bacharach & David  (I Say A Little Prayer, What The World Needs Now Is Love), tribute to Wes Montgomery (One For Wes) and the Sadao's Bossa tune "Gary's Tune".

MUSICIANS : Yoshiaki Masuo & Kiyoshi Sugimoto - guitar - Hideo Miyata - flute - Yoshio Suzuki - bass - Fumio Watanabe - drums - Larry Sunaga - percussions - Kazuo Yashiro - organ - Nobuhiro Suzuki - vibraphone, marimba

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N.Maeda = J.Inagaki And The All-Stars - This Is Jazz Rock

Year : 1968

Label : Nippon Columbia

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz

Norio Maeda (org) in joint project with Jiro Inagaki (ts) and the Columbia All-Stars featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto (eg), Tatsuro Takimoto (eb), Tetsuo Fushimi (tp), Takeshi Inomata (ds) and Osamu Nakajima (per). Despite the fact that album is titled "Jazz-Rock", is rather a Soul Jazz album, in which Norio Maeda revisits various classics from Jazz to Pop by R&B, including cover songs of The Beatles (Day Tripper, Here, There & Everywhere), The Barkays (Soul Finger), The Temptations (My Girl), John Lee Hooker (Boom Boom) or Herbie Hancock (Watermelon Man). Titles include also two original compositions by Maeda (Snap Shot, Go Go A Go Go), Inagaki (Barock) and the killer track "Pata Pata" by Miriam Makeba. Norio Maeda was a pianist in charge of various experimental jazz projects (Super-Tri-Piano, Revolution), composer of background music for TV shows, films and animated series (Crusher Joe). He was also a sought-after arranger collaborating in particular with Helen Merrill, Takeshi Inomata, Akira Miyazawa, Martha Miyake, the Tokyo-Cuban Boys, Toshiyuki Miyama & His New Herd or Akira Ishikawa's Count Buffalos. He evolved within several jazz formations in groups The West Liners, The Third or with his Wind-Breakers.

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Kiyoshi Sugimoto Quartet - Country Dream

Year : 1969
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series
Genre : Jazz
Style : Hard Bop, Post Bop, Jazz Rock

Debut album and jazz masterpiece recorded for the Takt Jazz Series by one of the most finest japanese jazz guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto featuring pianist Hiromasa Suzuki, bassist Yoshio Ikeda & drummer Motohiko Hino, brother of Terumasa. "Country Dream" was entirely arranged and composed by Hiromasa Suzuki except the opening track "Country Dream" by Kiyoshi Sugimoto. Kiyoshi was a session musician and sideman in demand, playing alongside Motohiko Hino, Marcus Miller, pianist/arranger Norio Maeda or Yuji Ohno, former member of Akira Ishikawa's Count Buffalos, Terumasa Hino Sextet, Allan Praskin Quartet and Seiichi Nakamura Quintet. Titles include "Country Dream", "Step Ahead", "The Apple", "Limited Space" and "D-51".

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Akira Ishikawa - Back To Rhythm

Year : 1975
Label : Columbia
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Afrobeat

"Back To Rhythm" is a covers album of Pop & Soul music including heavy funk and afrobeat, which closes the african period of Akira Ishikawa, supported by his fabulous Count Buffalos group featuring Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Takeru Muraoka, Larry Sunaga and pianist/arranger Hiromasa Suzuki. Akira Ishikawa leaves the Afro-Rock to get into Boogie Funk, taking over some Funk/Soul classics of the genre from BT' Express (Do It Til You're Satisfied), Stevie Wonder (Boogie On Reggae Woman) or Average White Band (Pick Up The Pieces), and cover pop songs from The Beatles (Hey Jude) and Simon & Garfunkel (El Condor Pasa), "I Shot The Sheriff" from Eric Clapton's version, "Bongo Rock" (Incredible Bongo Band) and "Let's Start" (Fela Kuti). All tracks arranged by Hiromasa Suzuki.

MUSICIANS : Akira Ishikawa - drums, vocals, african percussions - Masaoki Terakawa - bass - Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Takao Naoi & Tsunehide Matsuki - guitar - Hiromasa Suzuki - synthetizer - Takeru Muraoka & Masao Suzuki - saxophones - Eiji Arai - trombone - Koji Hatori - trumpet - Larry Sunaga - percussions

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Akira Ishikawa Count Buffalo Jazz And Rock Band - Bakishinba~Memories Of Africa

Year : 1970
Label : Polydor
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Rock

The legendary drummer Akira Ishikawa & his Count Buffalos were prolific on the japanese fusion scene since the late sixties. Akira Ishikawa started in the mid-fifties when he joined the Akira Miyazawa's Modern All Stars and later the famous "New Herd" big band conducted by saxophonist Toshiyuki Miyama. Akira Ishikawa becomes renown as bandleader for the Japanese version of rock musical ‘Hair’ from Broadway. Thereafter he becomes a sought-after session musician playing for various artists including japanese jazz/pop songstress Mieko Hirota, and formed the supergroup "Freedom Unity", a jazz quintet featuring pianist Hiromasa Suzuki, saxophonist Takeru Muraoka, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba and trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki. After a trip in eastern Africa, Akira introduces in his music various traditional afro-percussions (as the Bakishinba) brought back of his wanderings, in order to create a fusion between African music, Jazz, Rock & Soul,  which will reach its apogee with the iconic album, "Uganda", released in 1972. Titles include soul jazz tracks "Sandstorm", "Flamingo" & "Blue Soul" (composed by Hiromasa Suzuki), the psychedelic-jazz-rock suite with free expressions "African Deer" (composed by Norio Maeda). All tracks arranged by Norio Maeda & Hiromasa Suzuki.

COUNT BUFFALOS : Akira Ishikawa - drums & african percussion - Kiyoshi Sugimoto - electric guitar - Isao Eto - electric bass - Hirosama Suzuki - keyboards - Norio Maeda - organ - Takeru Muraoka - tenor sax - Masami Kawahara - latin percussion

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Yuji Ohno - Inugamike No Ichizoku (Original Soundtrack)

Year : 1976
Label : Victor
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen
Style :  Jazz Rock, Fusion

Original Soundtrack of the japanese horror/mystery story "Inugamike No Ichizoku" (Inugami Family), outcome from a long tradition of supernatural suspense films directed by Kon Ichikawa, iconic director of movie series based on the detective "Kindaichi" in the seventies. The soundtrack includes various genres from Jazz to Pychedelic Rock, mixed with eastern sounds produced by the biwa (japanese folk guitar), songs inspired by Pink Floyd ("Grudge", "Hatred's Theme"), some tracks with free expressions and Jazz Funk (The Blood Of The Passion, Mask). All tracks are supported by strings ensemble "Minoru Suzuki Group", conducted by Hiroshi Yoshizawa, composed, arranged & performed by Yuji Ohno featuring biwa player Masako Hirayama, Minoru Kuribayashi, Shigeto Ohara from Electro Keyboard Orchestra, Kiyoshi Sugimoto & Takao Naoi from The Count Buffalos.

MUSICIANS : Yuji Ohno, Shigeto Ohara - piano - Minoru Kuribayashi - organ - Tyuei Yoshikawa - accoustic guitar - Akira Okazawa, Kenji Takamizu - bass - Masako Hirayama - biwa - Yasushi Ichihara - drums - Keiji Azami - dulcimer - Masami Nakagawa, Takeshi Shinohara & Yukio Nishizawa - flute - Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Takao Naoi & Ryogo Kanari - guitar - Tadaomi 'Pepe' Anai - percussion - Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet

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Yuji Ohno & His Project - Proof Of The Man (Original Soundtrack)

Year : 1977
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Disco

"Proof Of The Man" ("Nigen No Shomei") is a crime drama film directed by Junya Sato and starring Yusaku Matsuda & Joe Yamanaka from the japanese psychedelic rock group "Flower Travellin' Band". Yusaku Matsuda (1949-1989) was a famous japanese actor who played the Sato role in the Ridley Scott's Black Rain Movie (1989) and inspired Spike Spiegel, character from Cowboy Bebop serie (1998). Behind the "Yuji Ohno & His Project" featuring saxophonist Takeru Muraoka, guitarist Kiyoshi Sugimoto, keyboardist Kentaro Haneda & trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki, hides future Ohno's group "You & The Explosion Band" in charge of the "Lupin The 3rd Original Soundtrack". Titles include the heavy funk ("Scorch To Kirizumi"), disco song ("Get Up All The People"), opening and ending themes sung by Joe Yamanaka ("Nigen No Shomei Theme"). Composed & arranged by Yuji Ohno.

MUSICIANS : Yuji Ohno - keyboards - Kentaro Haneda & Minoru Kuribayashi - organ - Akira Okazawa - bass - Kiyoshi Sugimoto & Tsunehide Matsuki - guitar - Yasushi Ichihara - drums - Takeru Muraoka & Jake H. Concepcion - saxophone - Eiji Arai & Hiroshi Suzuki - trombone - Koji Hatori & Tetsuo Fushimi - trumpet - Larry Sunaga & Pepe Anai - percussion - Minoru Suzuki Group - strings

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