Product Description
Released 22nd July 2020. Wow, finally gets a release. I first heard of Rokunin Gumi about 30 years ago and have a cassette of a live recording, but had given up of hearing anything more. This appears to be that live recording from 1986, plus a high quality demo tape made in 1985. The band features guitarist Kenji Yano (Surf Champlers, Sanshin Cafe Orchestra etc..) and were formed in 1984 to participate in the NHK Young Music Festival of 1985. They won the competition with music described as blending the melodies and rhythms of Okinawa, Southeast Asia and China, with rock and fusion. Or Ryukyu island music meets Weather Report! A first full album was planned to be produced by Bill Laswell, but unfortunately never saw the light of day. Watch the video of them performing at the NHK Young Music Festival in 1985. Supervised by Makoto Kubota.
