Norio Maeda & All-Stars – Rock Communication Yagibushi LP

Description

LP version. Wewantsounds announces the reissue ofNorio Maeda‘s cult classicRock Communication Yagibushi, released in Japan in 1970. The album has since become a Japanese jazz funk cornerstone and is now highly sought-after on the international DJ scene. The album reinterprets 14 traditional Japanese folk songs into jaw-dropping jazz funk instrumentals featuring killer arrangements by Maeda that would fit perfectly betweenDavid AxelrodandLalo Schifrin. One of the most prolific Nippon arrangers, Norio Maeda on a par withYuji OhnoandKentaro Hanedaand this album has long been on many collectors’ wantlist.Rock Communication Yagibushiis reissued internationally for the first time, with newly remastered audio, original gatefold artwork and new liner notes byPaul Bowler. Norio Maeda was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1934 and learnt to read music from an early age thanks to his father. He was largely self-taught on piano and quickly got into jazz, before moving to Tokyo in the mid ’50s to immerse himself in the city’s thriving jazz scene. There Maeda started his own group before joiningThe West Linersled by saxophonistKonosuke Saijoas pianist and arranger in 1959. Maeda arranged many pop and jazz albums by the likes ofNobuo Hara,Terumasa Hino, jazz singerMieko Irotaand, in 1969, he released the albumThis is Jazz Rockwith saxophonistJiro Inagaki, reinterpreting international pop, jazz and soul hits with groove arrangements which would pave the way forRock Communication Yagibushia year later. For the album, Maeda used two lineups — a reduced one comprisingTakeshi Inomataon drums,Shigeo Suzukion sax and flute,Kiyoshi Sugimotoon guitar, andTetsuo Fushimion trumpet — and an extended one adding three trumpets, four trombones and a different drummer,Takahiro Suzuki. The album is an explosive succession of instrumental funk and breakbeat nuggets that are reminiscent of David Axelrod with shades of Italian cinematic groove adding a Japanese twist to the mix. It’s hard to pick a favorite track as Norio Maeda hits the mark every time and manages to display many fascinating shades of funk throughout the album. One of the most coveted Japanese classics on the international diggers scene,Rock Communication Yagibushiis finally available internationally and will please Japanese jazz funk’s many fans.