Isao Suzuki Part 3

Hey folks, back again with another round of Isao Suzuki albums. We're starting to get into the material that I find the most enjoyable. 

First up for today is Isao's only release as a sextet, 1976's Ako's Dream. Joining Isao and his cello, we have Watanabe again on guitar, along with guitarist Kazumasa Akiyama. We also have Motohiko Hamase on bass, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on keys and Akira Doi on drums. 

We start off with 2 originals, the first being the somewhat spacey title track, followed by the swinging "Isao Family." You'll need a dance partner for that one. Next up we have my favorite tune from the album, an excellent rendition of "Feel Like Making Love" and we close with Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven." Excellent album through and through and one I revisit pretty frequently. 

Missing here is 1976's Hip Dancin' so if anyone can help out with an assist, I'd be truly grateful.

On to 1977 we go with Cadillac Woman, again featuring Watanabe and Akiyama on guitar, Cedar Walton on keys, Sam Jones on bass with Billy Higgins on drums. Absolutely excellent groove on the opening, title track, but unfortunately none of the other tunes really moved me. We will revisit "Cadillac Woman" on our next post, as well. 

Next up for us is an album technically from the Sunao Wada Quartet feat. Isao Suzuki in 1977's Blues Blues Blues. Obviously, Wada is here on guitar, Isao is on bass and cello, Tetsujiro Obara is on drums and we also have Masaru Imada on piano & organ. Despite blues tunes not being my favorite, this is a pretty stellar album. It's heavy on guitar, as expected, and Wada plays wonderfully. Imada shines throughout on the organ, another sound that isn't my favorite but works quite well with the overall blues theme of the album. All Wada originals here with the exception being the second to last track from Oscar Pettiford, "Blues In The Closet." Personal favorite for me is the closing tune, "A Good Deal Of The Blues."

The final album for today is 1978's String Band, which features a relatively large group of players, led by the brilliant Masahiko Satoh in a conductor/arrangement role. Isao employs the piccolo bass, with living legend Ron Carter on double bass, Tomio Yajima on cello, Tatsuya Takizawa on viola, with Masatsugu Shinozaki and Takashi Sato on violin. We have yet another legend in Hank Jones on piano, Takeshi Onodera lending some support on percussion and Roy Haynes on drums. 

Obviously the presence of strings adds a new dynamic to the sound. The opening Horace Silver track, "Nica's Dream" is quite nice, along with a beautiful rendition of "Greensleeves." Honestly all 5 songs here are pretty nice. A unique album that is well worth the listen.

Hopefully I can get another round ready tomorrow. Until then, enjoy!