Record Reviews

STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ FREEDOM IS FRIGHTENING ESOTERIC 2087 (Barcode: 5013929718722) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2008 Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist settled in England in 1972, after studying music in his native country and later in the USA. He worked mainly as a composer for theatre music, but his signing as a recording artist for the Island label brought his work to the attention of a wider audience, which later led to him forming the group East WindFind albums by this artist, which recorded this exceptional album. Combining forces with some of the best British musicians at the time, the band included Yamash`ta on drums and percussion, his wife Hisako Yamash`taFind albums by this artist on violin, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist (IsotopeFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Brian GascoigneFind albums by this artist, and bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (Soft MachineFind albums by this artist). The music is a wonderful fusion of Western and Far Eastern elements as well as many cross genre excursions, from atmospheric ambient to high spirited Jazz-Rock Fusion. Although Yamash`ta became mostly known for the "GoFind albums with this title" recordings, which were done a few years later, this is truly his most remarkable album recorded for Island and the one that withstands the test of time most adamantly. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ ONE BY ONE ESOTERIC 2083 (Barcode: 5013929718326) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008 Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist settled in England in 1972, after studying music in his native country and later in the USA. He worked mainly as a composer for theatre music, but his signing as a recording artist for the IslandFind albums on this label label brought his work to the attention of a wider audience. This album was his 4th release for the label, recorded with a Jazz oriented ensemble called East WindFind albums by this artist, his wife Hisako Yamash`taFind albums by this artist on violin, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist (IsotopeFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Brian GascoigneFind albums by this artist, bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (Soft MachineFind albums by this artist) and drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist. The music is a wonderful fusion of Western and Far Eastern elements as well as many cross genre excursions, from atmospheric ambient to high spirited Jazz-Rock Fusion. The music was used as a soundtrack of the film of the same name.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend