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Kiyoshi Yamaya, Toshiko Yonekawa, Kifu Mitsuhashi
Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk ’76 [Import]
Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk ’76 [Import]
180g | CAT #: 180GWALP04
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KEY FEATURES
KEY FEATURES
- 180g heavy vinyl pressing, reverse board jacket
- Fully licensed Nippon Columbia masters available for the first time outside of Japan
- Mastering and lacquer cut by Jukka Sarapää at Timmion Cutting Lab, Helsinki, Finland
- Artwork by Nker
DETAILS
DETAILS
ARTIST: Kiyoshi Yamaya, Toshiko Yonekawa, Kifu Mitsuhashi
LABEL: 180g
CAT NO: 180GWALP04
RELEASE DATE:
GENRE / STYLE:
- Jazz
- Organic Grooves
- Fusion
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
Following the already classic Wamono A to Z trilogy, 180g presents an exceptional collection of jazz-funk / rare groove tunes recorded in the mid-seventies at the Nippon Columbia studios by three giants of Japanese music: arranger Kiyoshi Yamaya, koto legend Toshiko Yonekawa and shakuhachi master Kifu Mitsuhashi.
Born in 1932 in Tokyo, Kiyoshi Yamaya started his musical career in 1953 when he played in various jazz bands in town. In 1957, Yamaya joined Nobuo Hara’s famous jazz big band Sharps & Flats as a baritone saxophone player and started composing, arranging, and recording for them and other big bands. He became a key jazz figure in Japan in the sixties together with Norio Maeda and Keitaro Miho, both jazz pianists, composers, and arrangers, by forming the Modern Jazz Three Association – which aimed at improving the level of Japanese jazz composition and arrangement. In the mid-seventies, his Contemporary Sound Orchestra explored jazz-funk fusions with traditional Japanese melodies and instruments such as the shakuhachi, koto, biwa, and shamisen. These works were recorded for a series of panoramic Japanese albums released domestically on Denon and Nippon Columbia, from which the tracks on this compilation are taken from.
Toshiko Yonekawa, born 1913 in the city of Himeji, not so far from Osaka, is the eldest daughter of koto and shamisen master Kin’o Yonekawa. She started studying both instruments with her talented father from the age of 3, played in her first concert at 8, and was only 12 years old when she first appeared on national radio. Her unique style of koto playing is widely recognized due to the extreme accuracy of the intonation and rhythm, as well as the unequaled beauty of the instrument’s sonority. After a life decorated with awards and prizes, Toshiko Yonekawa was named a Living National Treasure in 1996.
Born in Tokyo in 1950, Kifu Mitsuhashi is a great master of Koto-style shakuhachi. After completing the NHK Hōgaku Training Program in 1972, Mitsuhashi became a member of Pro Musica Nipponia, a group of leading composers and top-ranking musicians devoted to performing a wide-ranging repertoire of classical and contemporary compositions from both Japan and the West – in which all music is performed by traditional Japanese musical instruments. Mitsuhashi has toured the world for hundreds of recitals, also as a soloist, and has performed his art with the greatest ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker. In 2020, Kifu Mitsuhashi was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.
TRACKLIST
TRACKLIST
1. Kifu Mitsuhashi - Nanbu Ushioi Uta
2. Toshiko Yonekawa - Isohama Bon Uta
3. Kifu Mitsuhashi - Hohai Bushi
4. Toshiko Yonekawa - Otemoyan
5. Kifu Mitsuhashi - Aizu Bandaisan
6. Toshiko Yonekawa - Saitara Bushi
7. Kifu Mitsuhashi - Soma Nagareyama
8. Toshiko Yonekawa - Yagi Bushi
9. Kifu Mitsuhashi -Asadoya Yunta
10. Toshiko Yonekawa - Konpira Funefune
LISTEN
LISTEN
CREDITS
CREDITS
ABOUT THE ARTIST
ABOUT THE ARTIST



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from 32 reviewsThe vinyl in great condition got here when expected and sounds amazing
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fast service & quick response, Good+
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I got this for my husband as a gift and he really loved it. Great sound and beautiful color. I’m so glad I got this vinyl.

Beautiful vinyl. Good price. Came packaged well.

Really happy with the vinyl box set. It was sent quickly, well packaged and made it to Australia unscathed 😊
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Came exactly as described and in perfect condition, the best shipment service on vinyls I’ve ever had. Fast and accurate, I’ve had records ordered for almost a month with another store and these guys continually beat out all other stores for shipment. I just ordered again from them, highly recommend.
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The album arrived well packaged, in impeccable condition. Love the service. Love this album!

Great shop, I can only recommend it.

I finally received it. It came well packaged and secure. The customer assistance was great and helpful with my queries.

honestly i was very happy to have this poster come in, and imma buy a frame for it later. the poster is really beautiful and i love it, there was a slight defect to it, no fault to the company, but the mailing service itself, but it doesnt really bother me at all since it’s barely noticeable, i am just so happy to own it!!
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Beautiful packaging and lovely sonic excursions abound from this vinyl. Thank you !̦ Helix.
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Excellent album. I had never purchased from this vendor before and I was initially leary (this album is sold out on bandcamp and Materia Collective's site, and I'd never heard of Helix). But the album arrived quickly and was packaged very securely. I wish the "gold swirl" was a touch more apparent but I understand that each record will look different. Wonderful release from Rozen overall.

Great album that been on list for a while,had to grab for this great price! And shipping was pretty fast as well ,will definitely recommend and shop again.🙏🏽
