A fantastically free session from the Japanese scene of the late 60s – a set that really points the way towards some of the more dramatic, dynamic guitar-based expression to come in later decades! The group's a trio, with guitarist Takayanagi Masayuki very firmly in the lead – playing his instrument in a range of compelling ways – bowing the strings one minute, plucking with Derek Bailey-like complexity the next – sometimes with heavy drums and bass, other times standing out in very free solo space. The whole album's got a very freely improvised feel, and stands as an early link between free jazz and experimental rock modes - with tracks that include "Piranha", "Herdsman's Pipe Of Spain", "The Galactic System", "Sick Sick Sickness My Aunt", and "Study No 3 Up & Down". (Jazz, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album

A record with a really trippy cover – and a sound within that mixes elements of that image with a surprisingly sweet and soulful sound! Vocals are in Japanese throughout, and while there's some current of groove to the record, Yoshiko Sai works in a mode that's very different than the smoother styles of the city pop generation – with vocals that are more pronounced over the instrumentation – which flows with this beautiful blend of acoustic and electric elements, encompassing some nice touches from vibes, sitar, and tablas next to more familiar acoustic guitar. There's a really timeless feel to the record – almost a bridging of older Japanese female vocal styles with psychedelic inspiration – hard to describe in words, but really beautiful on vinyl! (Japanese, Rock) LP, Vinyl record album