Kochi (東風) - 1976 - Wishes (ウィッシズ)

Kochi (東風) 

1976

Wishes (ウィッシズ)

01. Auroral Flare (13:14)

02. Caribbean Blue 8:42
03. La Moça Está Dormindo 5:33
04. Pacific Hushes 11:08
05. Electric Ephemeron 11:12
06. Alone 2:43

Biwa, Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano, Electric Organ, Synthesizer – Masabumi Kikuchi
Congas – M'tume
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Anthony Jackson
Electric Guitar – Reggie Lucas
Soprano Saxophone, Flute [G Flute] – Dave Liebman
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Steve Grossman
Trumpet, Percussion – Terumasa Hino

Recorded August 11, 12, 14, 1976 at Vanguard Studio, NYC.

I discovered this one via Discogs in my search for work by members of the Miles Davis electric group of 1972-75. Featuring most of Miles’s rhythm section: Al Foster, Reggie Lucas and Mtume, this one recorded in August 1976 really feels like a continuation of the electric Miles spirit. Only Michael Henderson is missing. Although not the same, Anthony Jackson is a good replacement, playing some intricate fills and variations in active interplay with his fellow musicians. This is also excellent jazz-fusion both in the genre sense and as meeting place between Japanese and Afro-American music. Miles already had embraced African and Indian music adding a pan-global element to his personal take on fusion. This LP was hosted by the Japanese East Wind label but recorded in New York.

The leaders of this session are 2 Japanese. Masabumi Kikuchi composed all the music and plays multiple keyboards. Terumasa Hino steps into Miles shoes with some excellent solos using wah-wah and echo effects. Miles was ailing in 1975, but Terumasa is able to deliver a clearer more melodic sound and greater fluency over longer solos, so this really expands on the legacy of the electric band.

The first track Auroral Flare begins with a 4 minute rendition of Gagaku music from the Japanese imperial court, before transforming into jazz fusion. Next up Carribean Blue, with a samba feel is centred on a repeating bass ostinato. La Moca esta dormindo is an atmospheric piece with a hint of Maisha in its cadences and suspenseful pauses. Pacific Hushes has a more severe mood, a piano led piece with affinities to ECM chamber jazz. Overall the LP has a similar feel to Eddie Henderson’s fusion work with the Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi band musicians.

Track 5 Electric Ephemeron that has the closest resemblance to the Miles electric group. Indeed the rhythm team that Miles had been coaching here spring back into action like a well oiled music machine. Over a rocking, bluesy riff Reggie Lucas performs some angular choppy comping just like in Calypso Frelimo. The rhythm surges forward acting as a launchpad for a series of exciting solos and duets. Fans of Agharta will love this (even without Pete Cosey). A sudden tape splice jumps from this still boiling rhythm into the final track Alone an ambient, reflective homage to Little Church from Live Evil.

Of the Miles sidemen it is Al Foster who is most impressive on this LP. This is partly because his kit is recorded better, without the constantly splashing hi hat sounds that for many listeners muddy the production of nearly all his studio work with Miles from 1972-75. Here Foster is the heartbeat of the group. Miles alumni Dave Liebman and Steve Grossman also contribute on occasional solos.