The Players - Galaxy (1979) Openskye - Japanese Jazz Funk/Fusion (FLAC)

The Players were a jazz fusion band led by famed pianist/composer Hiromasa Suzuki, a predecessor to his Colgen Band. The band was often described as the Japanese Weather Report and boy were they spot on as the band is immensely funky. Post Galaxy they would go on to record five more studio albums, plus a live album ending their run in 1985. The band would count bassist Akira Okazawa, saxophonist Mabumi Yamaguchi, guitarist Tsunehide Matsuki and drummer Yuichi Togashiki as its core members. All of whom would collate extensive discographies of their own in a staggering number of classics beyond just jazz music.Hiromasa “Colgen” Suzuki certainly needs little to no introduction to fans of j-jazz fusion being one of the most well known Japanese jazzmen you will encounter as you first dive into Japanese jazz history.On Galaxy, the band combines tight jazz funk grooves on superbly arranged compositions by Suzuki to create an epic fusion odyssey. Overlaid with fantastic Moog synth action, in the pocket drum/percussion work with lush strings and triumphant horns. The elements of tight fusion are also tastefully interlaced through the genetics of this album. Especially apparent on “Kaleidoscope”’s killer guitar riffs and solo by Matsuki.

AMM

                                                                         The Tasters!

                                                               Tracks & Line Up Below (FLAC)

Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor, Piano [Acoustic], Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Mini-Moog], Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey],
Other [Prophets 5] – Hiromasa "Colgen" Suzuki
Congas, Percussion – Tadaomi Anai
Drums – Yuhichi Togashiki
Electric Bass – Akira Okazawa
Electric Guitar – Tsunehide Matsuki
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Mabumi Yamaguchi
Strings – Strings Tomato
Trombone – Harumi Mita, Hideo Iguchi, Yasuo Hirauchi
Trombone [Bass] – George Okada
Trumpet – Terumasa Hino, Ichiroh Nitta, Junichi Kanezaki