A great blend of funky jazz and wooden flute – the Japanese shakuhachi reed instrument, blown by
Kifu Mitsuhashi here – then mixed
with some larger backings that almost have a CTI Records sort of groove! The approach is similar to some of the best 70s projects from Hozan Yamamoto – and like those, updates older Japanese styles
with just the right dose of jazz – never getting in the way of the soulful lines from the lead instrument, but also really warming things up nicely
with Fender Rhodes, bass, guitar, and drums – in wonderful arrangements put together by
Kiyoshi Yamaya. Titles include "Yagi Bushi", "Yosakoi Bushi", "Hokkai Bon Uta", "Kuroda Bushi", "Otemoyan", and "Mamuro Gawa Ondo".
(Japanese, Global Grooves)