Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans Orchestra
Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans Orchestra
Fontana (Japan) 1975
PAT-1065 (LP) Textured jacket
sleeve : EX (slightly faded)
media : EX/EX (slight crackling in some parts)
This is a 1972 album by pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, who rose to prominence in the late 1960s and was active not only in the Japanese jazz scene but also in the US, featuring a collaboration with orchestral jazz master Gil Evans. This is a limited reissue from 1975. It was recorded in 1972 at Japan Victor's studio. Aside from Billy Harper and Hannibal Marvin Peterson, all other members of the big band are Japanese jazz musicians, including Kohsuke Mine, Yoshio Suzuki, Masahiko Togashi, Masayuki Takayanagi, and Sadayuki Nakamure. Considering Evans' long-standing friendship with Miles Davis, one might imagine that the musical communication with Kikuchi, who was influenced by Miles, would not have been too difficult. However, the exquisite performance throughout the album far surpasses that imagination, which is truly wonderful.
A3: Priestess
B1: Love in the Open