Toru Takemitsu
Waterscape
RCA Red Seal (Japan) 1982
RCL-8342 (LP) w/obi, insert.
sleeve : EX(very slightly stains.)
media : EX+/EX(some slightly surface noises.)
This was featured in the guidebook "OBSCURE SOUND REVISED EDITION". The late Toru Takemitsu, one of Japan's greatest composers, worked on a series of works on the theme of "water" from the 1970s to the 1980s, and this masterpiece album was released in 1982. The album features the percussionist Midori Takada, a member of the Mukwaju Ensemble and known for her solo album "Kagami no Mukougawa". It is a counterpart to Tashi Plays Takemitsu, recorded in New York a few years before this album. side A contains a piece for string quartet, flute/harp/marimba and percussion, side B contains a piece for three percussionists and a suite for alto flute and guitar. and a suite for alto flute and guitar. The two tracks on side B are particularly noteworthy: B1, a world of crystal-clear sound with marimba/vibraphone/tibetan bells played by Jun Sugawara, Yasunori Yamaguchi and Midori Takada, echoing wetly like drops of water dripping from a tree; and B2, a lyrical piece with a soft melody on wood flute by Hiroshi Koizumi and gut guitar by Norio Sato. All of these pieces are wonderful to listen to in ambient mode.
B1: Rain TreeB2: Toward the Sea