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  | HERBIE MANN ~ GAGAKU & BEYOND / ASTRAL ISLAND
COLLECTABLES 6881 (Barcode: 090431688120) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1976 - 1983 Released: 2001
This is a reissue / remaster of two albums by Jewish American flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Herbie MannFind albums by this artist.
“Gagaku & BeyondFind albums with this title”, from 1976, was recorded with keyboardist Pat RebillotFind albums by this artist, guitarist Sam BrownFind albums by this artist, bassist Tony LevinFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and a large group of Japanese musicians who play traditional Japanese instruments and monks who add vocals, led by shakuhachi player Minoru MuraokaFind albums by this artist. The album presents five lengthy tracks, three of which are arrangements of traditional Japanese melodies, one is an original composition by Mann and another one is by Rebillot.
The music is an ambitious attempt to amalgamate traditional Japanese music with Jazz, which works out quite successfully, and presents Mann as an experimenting musician, far beyond his sleek image of a Smooth Jazz and Groove Jazz Fusion.
“Astral IslandFind albums with this title”, from 1983, was recorded with guitarist Lou VolpeFind albums by this artist, bassist Frank GravisFind albums by this artist, drummer Buddy WilliamsFind albums by this artist and a couple of guest musicians on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, two composed by Mann, two by Volpe, one by Israeli composer Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist and the rest by various composers.
The music is also deeply soaked in World Music influences, including Middle Eastern and African pulsations, but is less intense and complex than the other album in this reissue set.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to remember the important contribution of Mann to American Jazz and Jazz-World Fusion, who left a very impressive and extensive recorded legacy. He died in 2003 and is sadly missed.
| | Updated: 29/07/2026Posted: 29/07/2026 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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