{"product_id":"takeru-muraoka-his-new-group-soft-landing-clear-deep-blue-vinyl-pre-order","title":"TAKERU MURAOKA \u0026 HIS NEW GROUP - SOFT LANDING [Clear Deep Blue Vinyl] PRE-ORDER","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe second album by saxophonist Takeru Muraoka, a leading figure of Japan's new jazz movement from the late 1960s to the early '70s. Originally released in 1978.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standout work with a colorful sound that embraces crossover and fusion, sharp grooves and an edgy ensemble. Featuring top players such as Susumu Kazuhara (trumpet) and Masanori Sasaji (keyboards), it moves from funky numbers to tracks with a driving sense of speed. This reissue is its first-ever color vinyl edition, pressed on clear deep blue vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Last year I went drinking around France, and this year Sweden and Finland. In every city, at restaurants and bars that play records, I kept spotting Japanese jazz records and felt firsthand how much momentum they have. Many places in Europe are closer to DJ bars than jazz kissa, so the records they favor work well for DJ play while still working as background music for a seated crowd. Takeru Muraoka's 'Soft Landing' sits right at the center of that. The band includes musicians from Akira Ishikawa's circle, many of them City Pop session greats who backed everyone from Yoshitaka Minami to Tatsuro Yamashita and Anri; Masanori Sasaji was even a member of Mariah. A band like this can play every meaning of 'fusion' at the time. Jazz, funk and disco blend together, shifting from light coolness to heavy groove with studio-musician versatility, yet as Muraoka's band, with roots in Terumasa Hino's circle, they assert themselves and turn aggressive in the solos. That duality, so typical of Japanese jazz, is a big part of its charm. I can already picture this reissue being played in bars around the world.\"\u003cbr\u003e— Mitsutaka Nagira (Music Critic)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTakeru Muraoka \u0026amp; His New Group\u003cbr\u003eTakeru Muraoka – Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Lyricon\u003cbr\u003eSusumu Kazuhara – Trumpet, Flugelhorn\u003cbr\u003eTakao Naoi – Electric \u0026amp; Acoustic Guitar\u003cbr\u003eMasanori Sasaji – Piano, Electric Piano, Clavinet, Solina \u0026amp; Synthesizer\u003cbr\u003eMichio Nagaoka – Electric Bass\u003cbr\u003eMichael Kawai – Drums \u0026amp; Percussion\u003cbr\u003eKiyohiko Semba – Percussion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded June 1, 2, 5, 8 \u0026amp; 14, 1978 at King Studio\u003cbr\u003eOriginal release: July 21, 1978\u003cbr\u003eLabel: King Records \/ Sound Fuji (Reissue Series Wave 1)\u003cbr\u003eCatalog No.: NAS-2183\u003cbr\u003eJapanese release date: April 16, 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE A\u003cbr\u003e1. オードゥ・トゥ・ナスカ (Ode to Nazca)\u003cbr\u003e2. ホット・ウィンド (Hot Wind)\u003cbr\u003e3. メイ・ストーム (May Storm)\u003cbr\u003e4. レディー・ブギー (Lady Boogie)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE B\u003cbr\u003e1. スナッピン (Snappin')\u003cbr\u003e2. アミ (Ami)\u003cbr\u003e3. クェーザー (Quasar)\u003cbr\u003e4. ボン・ボヤージ (Bon Voyage)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Face Records NYC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68271055077596,"sku":"PRE02","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0845\/4697\/8012\/files\/4988003387747_974x_a9a0a6b4-f4f5-4bfd-a01e-5730a1cbe4b1.webp?v=1794601445","url":"https:\/\/facerecordsnyc.com\/products\/takeru-muraoka-his-new-group-soft-landing-clear-deep-blue-vinyl-pre-order","provider":"Face Records NYC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}