Osamu Kitajima Osamu

This is the third album by Osamu Kitajima, one of Japan's most prolific artists from the ethno rock, world music and progressive department. You can certainly not divide all the mentioned stylistic aspects from each other for they were all incorporated in a homogenious sound and complex arrangements. It is the same with his other albums like „Benzaiten“ and or his fourth „Masterless Samurai“; traditional Japanese music meets Western jazzrock and progressive sounds to form a new style unheard by most people in Western countries at the time. Osamu Kitajima easily plays with elements of reggae and funk, fusion jazz and colorful pop while staying true to his Japanese roots with bits and pieces of traditional melodies and the use of old Asiatic instruments…

As the title suggests, Japanese music explorer Osamu Kitajima takes the listener beyond the known on a musical voyage into new territory where his compositions are a synthesis of Western electronics and ambient dance rhythms, tempered by the wisdom of ancient Japanese traditions. "Beyond The Circle" is music that is as energizing as it is spiritual and melodic.

Another very good record from this Asian musician. The music is a graceful, crystal clean and dynamic oriental New Age. Not really floating and not linear at all. The music is pure source of natural energy. The tracks are definitely more acoustic than electric. The songs are rather loaded: classical strings arrangements, Asian string instruments (exotic harp among others), woodwind instruments, modern keyboards and beat, exotic percussions. It has some elements from Andreas Vollenweider and Checkfield, put into an Asian style. The music is delightful and colorful.

Collection of collections of performers of style "New Age". There are such famous performers as Enigma, Era, Sacred Spirit, Deep Forest, Anugama, and little-known ones.

Freedom At Midnight is a classic late 80's contemporary jazz session, the kind that in fact helped make pianist David Benoit one of the genres biggest stars. The combination of hummable acoustic piano melodies with synthesizer shadings and groove oriented rhythm section work, make for a pleasant listening throughout. The title tune, "The Man With The Panama Hat", and "Tropical Breeze" conjure feelings that will transport the listener to a memorable space in time. Drummer Jeff Porcaro (Toto), bassist Abraham Laboriel, and guitarist Russ Freeman all make significant contributions.

Debut album by keyboardist Yutaka Yokokura in 1978. Long-awaited analog reissue of this classic Japanese fusion album, which has become extremely hard to find. Features Dave Grusin (kb), Abraham Laboriel (b), Steve Gadd (ds), Patti Austin (vo), Osamu Kitajima (koto, biwa), and others.

Sylvia St. James began at Elektra on her debut album Magic with two further giants of jazz fusion, both also with affiliated with groups, Lenny White (Twennynine) and Larry Dunn (Earth Wind & Fire). Also contributing is a long term affiliate of Lenny White, and legend in his own right Don Blackman. Sylvia had previously worked with Lenny White on Twennynine s 1980 album Twennynine featuring Lenny White , but for her second album Echoes & Images Andre Fisher was brought in as producer who had previously produced Brenda Russell and worked with Sylvia St. James between projects for Betty Wright and Sheree Brown utilising top Los Angeles players.