Miroslav Vitous - Guardian Angels (1979)

"Guardian Angels" showcases the comprehensive talent of virtuoso bassist, Miroslav Vitous. It puts on full display his incredible talent on electric and acoustic basses (with and without bow). One of the things that I thoroughly enjoy about this music is that it dispels the claim, attributed to former band mate and co-founder of Weather Report, Josef Zawinul, that Vitous couldn’t bring the “bottom”. On every track here, he brings it. ~ Matt Seahorn, Amazon.com. 

As a big Miroslav Vitous fan, this album is extremely satisfying outing and captures a late 70s snapshot of fusion. To start, it features a future member of his group, Kenny Kirkland, on keyboards, John Scofield sounds great on guitar and brings two originals. It also features two Japanese members who Miroslav made a few albums with; George Otsuka on drums and Mabumi Yamaguchi is on soprano sax, who were involved in two Maracaibo albums, the album Mabumi, and keyboardist Fumio Karashima's Hot Island. I'd recommend the original Evidence edition of this album, it's affordable and has great liner notes recalling first-hand details from the recording. Enjoy! ~ Frank G, Amazon.com. 

Trio Records, PAP-9154, 1979
Evidence Records, ECD 22055, 1993
Recorded 9th, 10th, 11th November, 1978 At Onkio Haus, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Miroslav Vitous - Bass, Electric Bass, Synthesizer [Mini-Moog, Solina String-Ensemble]
Mabumi Yamaguchi - Soprano Saxophone
Kenny Kirkland - Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes, Yamaha CP-70 [Electric Grand],
Synthesizer [Yamaha CS-50 (Polyphonic), Mini-Moog]
John Scofield - Guitar
George Ohtsuka - Drums [Yamaha] 

Tracks:
1. His Meaning / Rising / Resolution {Miroslav Vitous} (8:38)
2. Inner Peace {Kenny Kirkland} (6:10)
3. Guardian Angels {Miroslav Vitous} (5:54)
4. Off To Buffalo {John Scofield} (7:52)
5. Eating It Raw {John Scofield} (6:15)
6. Shinkansen {Kenny Kirkland} (6:11) 

Total Time: 40:03 

Credits:
Producer, Engineer - David Baker
Producer - Ken Inaoka
Music Director - Miroslav Vitous
Engineer [Assistant] - Takashi Ogawa
Production Coordinator - Kaz Harada
Management – Hiroaki Itoh, Mamoru Kamekawa
Photography - Shigeru Uchiyama, Yasuhisa Yoneda
Design - Breakfast 

This is another example of the type of 'fusion' that was going on in NYC in the late 70's. It was popular then for Japanese artists to hire the top guys on the scene, make a record and be big stars in their home country. This CD is cool in that we hear a young Kenny Kirkland burning on electric keyboards. Kenny was 'the cat' to be reckoned with at this time. Scofield sounds good here too, although he sounds better on Chet Baker's 'can't go home again' and his own CD 'Live', also 'Rough House' which I think were recorded around the same time. The music is basically, pentatonic scales or whatever, played in unison really fast then solos: either up-tempo samba vamps or medium tempo funk groove. It's OK I guess...if you are a Kirkland or Scofield fan. ~ Wes Green, Amazon.com.

Takehiro Honda - This Is Honda (1972)

One of the best pianists to arise out of Japan and one of the best trio formations to highlight and showcase the finest expression of some truly well-played jazz standards. Theses tracks are taken from a live performance many moons ago but can still enthrall even the most discerning listener; all pieces are played with exceptional finesse. It’s not a long concert by modern standards, what one would have given to be there at the time. A time-honored jazz classic no jazz aficionado should overlook this special album, enjoy!

Trio Records, PA-7005, 1972

Absord Music, ABCJ-272, 2003

Recorded 14^th March, 1972 At Iino Hall, Tokyo, Japan

Musicians:

Takehiro Honda - Piano

Yoshio Suzuki - Bass

Fumio Watanabe - Drums

Tracks:

1. You Don't Know What Love Is {Don Raye, Gene DePaul} (8:51)

2. Bye Bye Blackbird {Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson} (7:05)

3. 'Round About Midnight {Bernie Hanighen, Cootie Williams, Thelonious Monk} (3:28)

4. Softly As In Morning Sunrise {Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg} (6:57)

5. When Sunny Gets Blue {Jack Segal, Marvin Fisher} (4:28)

6. Secret Love {Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain} (8:03)

Total Time: 38:52

Credits:

Engineer - Okihiko Sugano

A&R [Reissue] - Masahiro Maeda

Artwork [Reissue] - Sally Kubota

Co-Mastering, Liner Notes - Tamaya Honda