Kiyoshi Sugimoto – L.A.Master

Masayoshi Takanaka, Jun Fukamachi, and CASIOPEA, along with artists whose reputations at the time were largely limited to dedicated aficionados such as The Players, Himiko Kikuchi, and NORIKI, as well as acts regarded as avant-garde like Mariah and Ryo Kawasaki, are now all enjoying uniformly high popularity. It should still be fresh in memory that the compilation CROSSOVER CITY, a joint project by five major labels, was released and drew significant attention. A particularly notable trend in recent years is the strong interest in ambient- and techno-oriented works, as well as works listened to in a background-music-like manner, such as soundtracks. As the listener base has expanded significantly toward younger generations, preconceived notions surrounding crossover/fusion have collapsed, and the music is now being listened to more freely with new sensibilities. Reflecting this situation, the current lineup has been selected from Universal Music's extensive catalog. Inevitably centered on titles that have never been released on analog or are rare items, the selection is limited to works that appear likely to meet strong vinyl demand, including inbound demand. This is a limited first-press release. Each title is issued on colored vinyl that enhances the image of the jacket artwork. [Album Description] Once again, Japanese crossover/fusion is hot! As a development of, or spin-off phenomenon from, the global boom in the reappraisal of city pop, Japanese fusion has surged rapidly since around last year. Kiyoshi Sugimoto, who honed his jazz guitar skills with the Terumasa Hino Group and the Akira Ishikawa Count Buffaloes while also working extensively as a session musician across kayokyoku, enka, and pop music, released his first leader album in 1969. He subsequently began pursuing a gradually more crossover-oriented sound, culminating in the release of L.A. MASTER in 1978, an album for which he composed and arranged all tracks himself. The recording members include Yasuaki Shimizu (sax), Haruo Togashi (keyboards), Akira Okazawa (bass), Yuichi Togashiki (drums), as well as Jun Fukamachi (keyboards) and Tsunehide Matsuki (guitar). Leading this group of outstanding young musicians of the time, Sugimoto showcases precise guitar playing and refined musical sensibility. This marks the album's first reissue. (Original release: 1978.) Remastering and cutting: Katsutoshi Kitamura (Mixer's Labo). Clear sky-blue vinyl.