Description
Expected Release Date 5th December 2026
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection once stock is in hand however delays are possible.
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Please note this is the Japanese release date and orders are likely to ship a couple of weeks after that to allow time for it to get here to the shop.
https://mailchi.mp/cf9ea92722c9/japanese-import-updates
A1. Pinocchio
A2. Kurosuisen
A3. Hard Luck
B1. Prayer
B2. Add Some
B3. Alone Alone and Alone
Sincere yet uninhibited. Powerful yet vibrant. This remarkable debut album captures the breakthrough moment of rising pianist Mikio
Masuda.
Mikio Masuda first came to prominence as a member of the Terumasa Hino Group, and this is his debut album as a leader. The
musicians are essentially the same lineup that was performing with the Hino Group in 1974, but with Masuda at the helm, the music
takes on an especially fresh and energetic character. He plays with remarkable freedom and confidence, as if completely at home in the
spotlight.
Four of the album’s six tracks are Masuda originals. At times he moves forward with a light, agile touch; at others, he unfolds beautiful
themes with lyrical sensitivity. The variety of the compositions and the freshness of the performances are consistently striking.
Among the highlights is “Prayer”, a powerful, Afrocentric piece that stands as an outstanding example of the post-Coltrane approach.
Both compositionally and performance-wise, it ranks among the album’s defining achievements.
This album marks the starting point of Masuda’s career and remains one of his signature works, documenting the emergence of an artist
who would later become one of the leading figures of the fusion era.
Text by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALIT
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Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:
- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.
- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.
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