Hozan Yamamoto: Beautiful Bamboo-flute Vinyl LP｜ Other Products

Does what it says on the tin - beautiful bamboo flute! Wasn't previously familiar with this one but now I’m totally hooked; expected some dime-a-dozen eastern exotica spa vibes but this is one of the gnarliest Japanese jazz records I’ve heard in a long time. Rolling jazz-funk grooves injected with Mancini-level drama courtesy of the Sharps & Flats brass band; Yamamoto’s bamboo flute provides the top line giving the tunes a decidedly eastern twist that’s nowhere near corny or tropey. There’s no exotica or novelty here, all business, shot through with a mature austerity and Yamamoto’s flute is put through a reverb machine that adds an extra layer of drama. Best track is a toss up between “Yasuki-Bushi” and “Kokiriko Bushi”; the bossa-tinged “Soma Bon-Uta” and Axelrod-grade “Nanbu Ushioi-Uta” are heavy too. I’m doing everything in my power to stop buying more records like this but I don’t think I can pass this one up. Exceedingly hard to find in its original 1971 form, this high quality reissue from Mr Bongo is worth every yen and then some. Recommended.

black vinyl pressing
first time on vinyl since 1971
housed in full repro gatefold jacket w/ Japanese liner notes
music label: Mr Bongo 2019

reviewed by sunrise mart 11/2019
Brand:Hozan YamamotoCategory:_music-FUNKSKU:lp-10920Tags:Funk / Soul Vinyl, recommended, Sounds Of Japan Vinyltype:Vinyl LP