YAMATAIFU

I was going to give this 4.5 stars like Guldbamsen but that second track "NI" just blows my mind. Just to back up a bit this is the project of Japan's own Toshiyuki Miyama but Masahiki Satoh gets equal billing on the album cover. Satoh is an Avant legend in Japan one of the originals and he plays electric piano and arranged the music here. He should get a medal for the latter. This is played live with Miyama conducting the music which is his only role here but so important as you can hear when you listen to this masterpiece. Back to "NI" and man it's so experimental but it's unlike anything I have ever heard. Man again I have to backup because this is Experimental Big Band music and I need to let you know that there are 18 musicians playing on here, on the stage. And 13 of them play horns. We also get this insane drummer, he's unbelievable. Also bass, electric piano, guitar and another pianist. The thing with "NI" is how thick the atmosphere is at times, suffocating with all these experimental sounds and the way it's arranged is mind boggling. I thought of "Bitches Brew" mostly for the trumpet blasts. This is one song I can't describe.

The opener "ICHI" is over 19 minutes in length and those blasting horns in melancholy are incredible. This song is such a trip and the electric piano kills. Not to mention again this overly talented drummer. The horns though give me goosebumps. Another one that has to be heard. I actually thought of NUCLEUS when I heard that last track "SAN" with that melancholic atmosphere and trumpet blasts. Jazzy bass to start with drums and electric piano. Uptempo and lights out playing, especially the drummer. Then the horns kick in with that NUCLEUS sound. It's almost overwhelming all these sounds like they've been thrown in a blender but it works!

A special release if there ever was one, and one the Japan music scene should be proud of. Did I mention this was released back in 1972?