HIROMASA SUZUKI Schallplatten & CDs

Review: There are a few Hiromasa Suzuki reissues doing the runs this month and this is one of them on Cinedelic. From the 70s and on, the Japanese jazz pianist and composer put out some 20 od records of forward-facing jazz-funk fusions and Rock Joint Biwa: Kumikyoku Fulukotofumi is one of the most interesting ones. It brings a blend of traditional Japanese styles with early psychedelic and prog-rock influences that were ahead of their time for 1072. This reissue reminds us of its greatness across nine innovative tunes that still sound new.

Review: Japanese jazz musician Hiromasa Suzuki originally recorded Rock Joint Cither - Silk Road in 1973. The album is a widely lauded high point in Suzuki's illustrious career, which spans projects such as Colgen Band, The Freedom Unity and The Players. He's widely considered a standard bearer for jazz fusion in the vein of Weather Report et al, and you can certainly hear broader influences feeding into this stunning record, not least the omnipresent twang of sitar atop some decidedly rockist rumblings and free jazz fireworks. It's a varied listen to keep you hooked throughout, and it's finally getting the repress it deserves after many years in the wilderness.