Masahiko Satoh & Medical Sugar Bank
MSB
Openskye (Japan) 1980
25AP-1853 (LP) w/insert, label catalog.
sleeve : EX-(SRW, some wear on edge and corner.)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise.)
This is the 1980 debut album by Masahiko Satoh & Medical Sugar Bank, a group led by Masahiko Satoh—one of Japan’s foremost jazz pianists, who has remained active on the front line since his 1969 leader debut Palladium. The lineup features some of the country’s most exceptional musicians: Yasuaki Shimizu (ss, ts), Kenji Takamizu (b), Hideo Yamaki (ds), and Tadaomi Anai (perc). Across the album, Satoh’s electric keyboards—driven by an array of synthesizers and sequencers—are paired with Shimizu’s aggressive yet pensive saxophone work, already highly acclaimed at the time as that of the top young player in Japan. Add to that Yamaki’s tight, groovy drumming, and the result is a superb set of urban fusion numbers, powered by technique on par with Weather Report. The airy, floating atmosphere of the slow track B2 is especially delightful.
A1: Ridin' Out
B2: Nebulous Suspicion
MSB
Openskye (Japan) 1980
25AP-1853 (LP) w/insert, label catalog.
sleeve : EX-(SRW, some wear on edge and corner.)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise.)
This is the 1980 debut album by Masahiko Satoh & Medical Sugar Bank, a group led by Masahiko Satoh—one of Japan’s foremost jazz pianists, who has remained active on the front line since his 1969 leader debut Palladium. The lineup features some of the country’s most exceptional musicians: Yasuaki Shimizu (ss, ts), Kenji Takamizu (b), Hideo Yamaki (ds), and Tadaomi Anai (perc). Across the album, Satoh’s electric keyboards—driven by an array of synthesizers and sequencers—are paired with Shimizu’s aggressive yet pensive saxophone work, already highly acclaimed at the time as that of the top young player in Japan. Add to that Yamaki’s tight, groovy drumming, and the result is a superb set of urban fusion numbers, powered by technique on par with Weather Report. The airy, floating atmosphere of the slow track B2 is especially delightful.
A1: Ridin' Out
B2: Nebulous Suspicion