Extraordinary 2 CD, 40 track compilation that traces the history of Japanese brass music since the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853 with brass band in tow. From the tune Perry's band played, 'Hail Columbia' to the Japanese national anthem recorded in 1937, through to Japanese propoganda tunes and songs recorded during the war by the Japanese marine band, this is a fascinating document. There is a smattering of Western and American tunes that became popular after the war, Bizet's Carmen, and the Olympic fanfares from Tokyo in 1964 and Sapporo in 1972. Unfortunatelty the liner notes are only in Japanese, but nevertheless a beautifully packaged and highly interesting album well worth seeking out.
