Makoto Kubota & The Sunset Gang – Hawaii Champroo LP

Description

Wewantsounds announce an ambitiousMakoto Kubotareissue program with his three albums recorded withThe Sunset Gangbetween 1973 and 1977. The albums featureHaruomi Hosono(who also co-producedHawaii Champroo) and also includesMinako Yoshida,Taeko OhnukiandTatsuo Hayachito name a few. Makoto Kubota has been one of Japan’s true musical innovators and following his involvement withLes Rallizes Dnudsin the early ’70s, he developed a unique sound bringing American, Hawaiian and Okinawan music influences to his own Japanese folk music mix. Recorded in Honolulu in 1975. Recorded in 1975 at the famed Sounds of Hawaii studio in Honolulu,Hawaii Champroowas co-produced by Haruomi Hosono and marks the start of Kubota’s keen interest in Hawaiian and Okinawan music (Champroo is derived from Chanpur, the traditional Okinawan stir-fry dish). A companion album to Hosono’s ownTropical DandyandBon Voyage Co.albums (on which Kubota plays), the album was at the forefront of a tropical musical movement started in Japan in the mid-70s. The core Sunset Gang consists of Kubota on Guitar,Takashi Onzoon bass,Yosuke Fujitaon guitars and mandolin,Keni Inoueon lead guitar andHiroki Komazawaon pedal steel guitar. They are joined on the album by Hosono on drums andTeriyuki Kokubuon piano. Having travelled to the United States in the early ’70s, Makoto Kubota had fallen in love with American music and had brought back many influences from his sojourn on the East and West coast. these are evident from the tracks covered by the band onHawaii Champroo, includingJesse Fuller‘s “San Francisco Blues”,The Rooftop Singers‘ “Walk Right In” (an oldGus Cannonragtime) orThe Texas Playboys‘ classic “Steel Guitar Rag”.Hawaii Champrooalso features originals such as the funky “Shanghai Gaeri” and a nod to the Hula Hawaiian dance “Moonlight Hula”. One of the highlights of the album is the classic “Haisai Ozisan”, the Okinawan 1972 cult classic byShoukichi Kinawhich has become a standard in Japan. All in all,Hawaii Champroois a timeless classic and one of the key Japanese albums from the ’70s. This is the first time the albums are released outside of Japan. Newly remastered by Makoto Kubota. Comes with original artwork, OBI and the original Japanese inserts.