Mikio Masuda - 1974 - Trace

Mikio Masuda

1974

Trace

01. Pinocchio 4:06

02. Black Daffodils 8:55

03. Hard Luck 7:09

04. Prayer 10:04

05. Add Some 5:00

06. Alone Alone and Alone 4:11

Mikio Masuda – piano

Tsutomu Okada – bass

Motohiko Hino – drums

Terumasa Hino – flugelhorn (#2)

Takao Uematsu – tenor saxophone (#4)

Hideo Miyata – flute (#5)

Recorded June 9, 12, 1974 at Victor Studio, Tokyo.

"Pinocchio" is credited to Masuda on the label, but is clearly the Wayne Shorter composition found on Miles Davis' Nefertiti. Amazing that he has the gall to claim that one.

A majestic set of spiritual jazz numbers – performed by a core trio of Japanese pianist Miko Masuda, bassist Tsutomu Okada, and drummer Motohiko Hino – with guest performances by Terumasa Hino on trumpet, Takao Uematsu on tenor, and Hideo Miyata on flute! The added horns really push the album strongly past the usual trio style of the time – and it's clear that all players are drawing lots of inspiration from the post-Coltrane generation in the US – using new freedoms to really express themselves in their music, yet never going to far outside in their pursuit of a soulful sound. The tracks are all long and soaring, with some really great rhythms.