Stomu Yamashta – Seasons: The Island Albums (1972-1976) (Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records, 2022)
The boxed set “Seasons: The Island Albums (1972-1976)” is an impressive 7 CD collection that contains some of the best works by Japanese percussionist and composer Stomu Yamashta. During that period, Yamashta recorded a series of superb albums that intertwined Japanese drumming and flute traditions with jazz-rock fusion, electronic music and beyond.
Each album highlights Yamashta groundbreaking work, so having the 7 albums collected in one box is a fabulous deal.
Although Stomu Yamashta initially recorded experimental music, his work in the 1970s was much more attractive, engaging and enjoyable. In the early 1970s, Yamashta moved to Europe, first to France and later to the UK. Indeed, his spectacular and acrobatic percussion style attracted western musicians.
The first album for Island Records was “Floating Music” (1972), a collaboration with percussionist Morris Pert and members of his band Come To The Edge. ‘Floating Music’ features dreamy passages and exploratory jazz with tasty vibraphone and electric piano work plus improvisations by the various instrumentalists.
The lineup included Stomu Yamashta on percussion; Morris Pert on drums and percussion; Andrew Powell on bass; Robin Thompson on organ, piano, soprano saxophone; Peter Robinson on piano; Phil Plant on bass; David White on soprano saxophone; Ian Goffe on trombone; and Richard Harris on trumpet.
Next came the release of the soundtrack album ‘The Man From The East’ (1973). This album had a deeper Japanese flavor, mixing groovy funk jazz with Japanese instruments and chants. The cast on this album included Stomu Yamashta on marimba, shamisen, hand drum, timpani, and assorted percussion; Morris Pert on drums and percussion; Peter Robinson on electric piano; Alyn Ross on bass; Gary Boyle on guitar; Hiskao Yamashta on violin and shamisen; Joji Hirota on claves and vocals; Hideo Funamoto on triangle, cowbells and assorted percussion; Shiro Murata on flute; Yoshio Taeira on piano; Goro Kunii on vocals; Mikako Takeshita, laughter; Maggie Newlands on organ; and Phil Plant on bass.
Later in 1973, Yamashta formed the ensemble East Wind along with Gary Boyle on guitar; Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine) on bass; and Brian Gascoigne on keyboards and recorded the jazz rock album ‘Freedom Is Frightening’. The lineup included Stomu Yamashta on drum set and percussion; Hisako Yamashta on violin; Hugh Hopper on bass; Gary Boyle on electric and acoustic guitars; and Brian Gascoigne on keyboards, synthesizer, and vibraphone.
The fourth album in this collection is the soundtrack ‘One By One’ (1974), another set of cutting edge, high energy jazz-rock fusion pieces featuring a skilled ensemble of acclaimed jazz and rock musicians. Personnel: Stomu Yamashta on percussion; Hisako Yamashta on violin; Hugh Hopper on bass; Brian Gascoigne on keyboards and synthesizers; Sami Abu on vocals, congas and flute; Gary Boyle on guitar; Nigel Morris on drum set.
The 1975 critically acclaimed album ‘Raindog’ masterfully continued in the fusion direction, although this time, the lineup included additional musicians and several vocalists. Lineup: Stomu Yamashta on percussion; Daito Fujita on bass; Brian Gascoigne on piano, clavinet, synthesizer; Hozumi Tanaka on drum set; Tsuneo Matsumoto on guitar; Gary Boyle on guitar; Hisako Yamashta on violin; Murray Head on vocals; and Maxine Nightingale on vocals.
Yamashta’s most successful album was “Go”. The album reached a wider audience with its mix of shorter songs, mixing classic rock, fusion and electronica. It featured a stellar roster of guest musicians from the jazz fusion and electronic music field: Steve Winwood on vocals, keyboards; Michael Shrieve on drums; Al Di Meola on guitar; Pat Thrall on guitar; Klaus Schulze on synthesizers; and Rosko Gee on bass. The success of “Go” led to a series of live concerts in Europe featuring the musicians who had appeared on the album.
The band on “Go”: Stomu Yamashta on synthesizers and percussion; Steve Winwood on vocals, keyboards; Michael Shrieve on drums; Klaus Schulze on synthesizers; Al DiMeola on solo guitar; Rosko Gee on bass; Pat Thrall on guitar; Brother James on congas; Thunderthighs on backing vocals.
Disc 7 contains “Go… Live from Paris”, the concert at the Palais des Sports in Paris in June 1976 that was recorded and released later that year. Lineup: Stomu Yamashta on percussion and piano; Steve Winwood on vocals and keyboards; Michael Shrieve on drums; Klaus Schulze on synthesizers; Al DiMeola on solo guitar; Jerome Rimson on bass; Pat Thrall on guitar; Brother James on congas; and Karen Freidman on vocals.
The boxed set was compiled, conceived and coordinated by Mark Powell with additional coordination by Vicky Powell for Esoteric Recordings. The 24-bit digital remastering was performed by Paschal Byrne at The Audio Archiving Company, Hertfordshire. CD package design by Meriel Waissman.
The intensity of Stomu Yamashta’s fusion years led him to take an extended break. He returned to his native Kyoto and enrolled in Buddhist studies at Toji Temple. He continued to release albums in Japan, although the focus was on the meditative side of Buddhism.