YAMATAIFU

The strongest collaboration between a Japanese Jazz Giant (Toshiyuki MIYAMA) and a Japanese freely-improvised Avantgarde Jazz establisher (Masahiko SATOH) in 1972, could win a honourable "Geijutsusai Yushu Prize", much appreciated in the whole Japanese Art world. Since Greg (Logan) recommended this album to me, I've checked NEW HERD's stuffs via YouTube or MP3 websites, and felt NEW HERD (without Masahiko SATOH) have been (even now) a great Japanese 'big-band' Jazz band in this scene and played chiefly contemporary / nu-jazz, not with enough Avantgarde essence. Big big influence by Masahiko SATOH, they could be injected into themselves I'm sure. As previously mentioned, Masahiko made a great success of his album "Amalgamation" (1971) all around the world (especially in Europe), and very naturally his motivation and attitude for free improvisation could invade into pure nu-jazz tower built by Toshiyuki's NEW HERD, just in the album "Yamataifu".

Basically Toshiyuki is an alt saxophone player so we can feel the enormous power via their saxophone plays. Wonderful echoic sax dream, based on deep and heavy bass and drums. Fully drenched with bulky Nippon (Japanese) native flavour and tension, freely improvised instrumental battles go ahead inorganically ... but magnificent passion of each player we can feel ... obviously, even with spiritual or ghostly explosion here and there. Believe me, not simply traditional Japanese Avantgarde Jazz, but with full of nationalism and eccentricity in such a powerful big band. Over 35 minutes we cannot feel anymore but this palpitation. Feel directly this Japanese pride.

Again thanks Greg for your brilliant recommendation. We Japanese are very happy everyone all around the world can enjoy their fascinating stuff.

Yamataifu is the only release of collaboration between renowned Japanese big band MIYAMA TOSHIYUKI & HIS NEW HERD and one of the very first avant-jazz pianist Masahiko Satoh. Masahiko studied jazz in Berklee and returned to Japan in late 60 full of new music ideas. His releases of early 70-s are extremely experimental and innovative. In 1971 he released "Amalgamation" - excellent album, one of cornerstone of Japanese prog avant. Same year he participated on debut album of another later well-known Japanese fusion artist Matsush'ta (unhappily, this album, being very experimental, didn't succeed too much).

Yamataifu contains only two long compositions, played in manner of psychedelic Davis period or Hancock's Mwandishi trilogy influenced. Complex, with many rhythm changes, plenty of free form soloing and very spacey atmosphere, this album is one of real evidences how Japanese progressive fusion was born. More dark, psychedelic and avant than Davis or Hancock's work's, this album is as important in Japanese prog legacy Mwandishi or electric Davis period in Western world.

Very interesting listening till nowadays, this album is must have for everyone with interest to Japanese progressive fusion and avant. Very recommended!