Isao Suzuki Part 4

While getting this completed by the end of the week now seems unlikely, I hope everyone is enjoying Isao Suzuki's work to this point. Over the next couple of posts, I'm going to finish up what I have for the 1970's. I may pivot to some other music before diving into the 1980s. We'll see. 

Anyway, first up for today is another album that I enjoyed more than I expected. In 1978, Isao paired with Noriko Miyamoto for an album titled, Push. While this album is pretty readily available, I went ahead and included it here along with an instrumental version for those that also don't enjoy vocals. I must say though, Noriko has a beautiful voice. 

Joining her and Isao, we have Tatsuhiko Hizawa on bass, Masanori Sasaji on keys, Yuji Karaki on guitar, Tatsuji Yokoyama on percussion and Akira Doi on drums. The 2nd track is an instrumental by design and is a nice version of the standard "Stella By Starlight." This album is a lot funkier than I expected and the 2nd half is what I found to be the most enjoyable. The final three tunes, the title track, "Cadillac Woman" and "My Life" are all rock solid. A relatively short album but very enjoyable. 

Next up, also in 1978, we have an album I was really excited for based on the personnel in My Spare Time. An impressive lineup of sax player Sadao Watanabe, pianist Masahiko Satoh, guitarist Sadanori Nakamure, bassist Nobuyoshi Ino and drummer Motohiko Hino. Some great tunes here and Watanabe plays great, as expected. I particularly like the rendition of "Solitude." But what ruins this album for me is the abundance of synth strings, I'm assuming coming from Masahiko Satoh - where I've seen his name in credits doing the same elsewhere. In my opinion, they give the album too much of a soap opera theme song vibe. I may sit down and tinker and see if I can remove them. I'll add an update if it works out. 

For the next 3 albums, I was hesitant if I should include them. But due to Isao's prominent role, I figured why not. In 1978, there were 3 Burning Men Super Session albums released and they're all a little different from one another. We'll take a quick look at each and then move on. 

The first, Burning Super Session, features pianists Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Mikio Masuda, bassist Tsutomu Okada, guitarist Kazumasa Akiyama, percussionist Yokoyama and drummer Keiji Kishida. The opening, title track is funky and features great playing from Akiyama on guitar and Masuda on synthesizer. There is some what I assume to be piped in applause that is somewhat annoying but otherwise a fantastic tune. Another favorite of mine is the Marvin Hamlisch tune from the OST of the same name, "The Way We Were."

The second, Solaris: Burning Super Session II, could honestly be a Kohsuke Mine album because he shoulders the load throughout. The rest of the personnel has some new faces for us in guitarist Takayuki Kato, bassist Hizawa, pianist Masayoshi Yoneda, on percussion and harmonica we have American Donald Bailey, along with drummer Shigeo Hirayama. Isao brings his piccolo bass, washtub bass, and plays the vibes on another rendition of "Feel Like Making Love." Yoneda plays wonderfully on the closing track, "Avenue" and as mentioned, Mine shine throughout. You can look around my page and find plenty more of his work, if interested. 

The third, Balloon: Burning Super Session III, features vocalist Hiroshi Suzuki, who I originally mistook for the trombonist of the same name. Yoneda is here again on keys, Hizawa on bass, Kato on guitar and Hirayama on drums. Also here is flautist Tamami Koyake. Along with his piccolo bass, Isao also plays some piano and offers some supporting vocals. I've also included an instrumental version of this one despite Hiroshi having a splendid voice. "Favela" "On A Clear Day" and "Spanish Hat" are my favorites here. 

I may try to squeeze in another post this afternoon, otherwise we'll finish up the 1970s next week. Have a great weekend and enjoy!