Koichi Matsukaze

• GATEFOLD DIGIPACK EDITION

An important early album from saxophonist Koichi Matsukaze – maybe not one of the biggest names in Japanese jazz during the 70s, but certainly one of that scene's most striking players!

The approach here is quite spiritual – long, open tracks that pulsate strongly – thanks to work on Fender Rhodes and piano from Toshiyuki Daitoku, bass from Tamio Kawabata, and drums from Ryojiro Furusawa – all players that hew to the rhythm as strongly as Coltrane's rhythm section might have in the 70s – and who really let their leader soar to the skies, with magnificent solos on flute, alto, and tenor sax! The music is quite exploratory, but never too far outside – that perfect balance from the post-Coltrane generation.

PERSONNEL:

• Koichi Matsukaze - (flute, alto & tenor sax)
• Daitoku Toshiyuki - (acoustic piano)
• Tamio Kawabata - (bass)
• Furusawa Ryojiro - (drums)

TRACKS:

• 01. Images In Alone
• 02. Earth Mother
• 03. Zekatsuma Selbst
• 04.Round Midnight
• 05. Don't Worry About Tenor Saxophone