MITSUAKI KANNO ORCHESTRA – 武将 [Busho] (LP-1973 / Re-RCA - LP-1976)

Label: RCA – RVL-5506

Series: 日本のJazz 1500 –

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Japan / Released: 1976

Style: Avant-garde Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Modal

Recorded in 1970. Originally released by RCA Victor (JRS762) 1973.

RCA - Japan 2nd Pressing – 1976.

Cover Photo & Album Design – Keijiro Kubota

Producer by – Hiroshi Isaka

Engineer by – Tatsuo Umezu

Matrix / Runout (Side A Stamped): JRS-7264-A

Matrix / Runout (Side B Stamped): JRS-7264-B

A1 - 武将 [Busho] ......................................................................................... 14:17

A2 - くもの糸 [Kumo No Ito] ........................................................................ 14:40

B1 - 寂光 [Jakko] ............................................................................................ 8:12

B2 - 詩仙堂の秋 [Shisendo No Aki] .............................................................. 11:45

Mitsuaki Kanno 9/8 Orchestra:

菅野光亮      Mitsuaki Kanno  –  piano

羽尾知也      Tomoya Haneo  –  trumpet, flugelhorn

尾山修          Osamu Oyama  –  soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone

山川裕之      Hiroyuki Yamakawa  –  tenor saxophone

稲森康利      Yasutoshi Inamori  –  flute / sinobu

光井靖          Yasushi Mitsui  –  guitar

橋本静雄      Shizuo Hashimoto  –  bass

朝倉正展      Masashi Asakura  –  cello, bass

三戸部純一  Junichi Mitobe  –  drums, percussion

Enchanting Japanese jazz album with a spiritual vibe and some freer parts as well, listen to the beautiful "Kumo No Ito" (A2) and "Busho" (A1). Recorded in 1970 and originally released in 1973 as "Shisendo No Aki". This is the rare Japanese 2nd pressing from 1976 (RVL-5506), retitled in "Busho" and with different cover art with OBI and insert.

An interesting story was written in the liner and it was said that it was produced in a bad environment such as: unrecognized record company executives, low budget recording at studio free time, etc...etc. However, the completed music was of high purity which I could hardly believe was created in Japan in 70 years. It seems that it treats "Waka Jazz" cult style like "Busho", "Kumo No Ito", "Jakko", "Shisendo No Aki", only the part of remnantness and restraint that makes me think of the music as a Japanese music, but of course actually, while playing the free & new jazz, the sense of urgency that springs from its inner side is wonderful. There are also impressions such as intellectual avant-garde orchestra / jazz like WATT early Carla Bley. Even though it was almost 50 years ago, realistic sound quality as if it was recorded in the 21st century is amazing.

If you find it, buy this album!