Takeshi Inomata

Finally back and ready to take a look into drummer Takeshi Inomata. A catalog chocked full of jazz-rock gems, I have a few albums to share. Takeshi first started playing professionally at the young age of 16 years old. Looks like he first popped up on some compilations in 1956. We will begin our journey closer to my wheelhouse in 1970. 

Sound LTD. was released on the Express label as Takeshi Inomata and Sound Limited. Supporting him here are some excellent musicians in guitarists Ryo Kawasaki and Shigenori Kamiya, trumpeters Shunzo Ohno and Takashi Kumagai, trombonists Shigemichi Domoto and Takashi Imai, flautist Toshiaki Yokota, saxophonist Takao Uematsu, organist Yusuke Hoguchi and bassist Jun Suzuki. 

We'll hear a lot of covers as we go and this one is no exception. This one starts off wonderfully with the first full tune, "South California Purples." It has a bluesy, soulful jazz-rock feel to it with the organ and sax standing out. "It Better End Soon" is also another good one - both from Chicago keyboardist Robert Lamm. A nice rendition of classic, "God Bless The Child" is also here. With a nice change midway through. 

One other thing to point out is that "Pacific C-55" is a mostly forgettable track but does feature a full on train whistle at the beginning of the tune. Something to keep in mind if you're listening late at night, etc. Overall, a pretty solid album.

Next up for us, released on Columbia again in 1970, we have Sounds Of Sound LTD. The same band returns and this time around we have all originals from within the group. Only exception being the excellent "Monster" which is a Norio Maeda tune; a pianist Inomata has worked with who also handled some of the arrangement for the previous album. 

This one jumps right out of the gate with "Theme - Mustache" which has a nice groove to it and channels a little "Hey Jude" towards the end. Also includes a nice drum solo from Inomata. Imai tune "Joint" is also solid with the same bluesy groove we've heard a lot of. We get a little more scattered on "Scotland Scene" before a peaceful close with "Theme." Another pretty solid outing. 

The 3rd album we'll listen to today is from 1971, again released on Express and titled, New Rock In Europe - Sound LTD. 2. The same band returns with the exception of guitarist Kimio Mizutani replacing Ryo Kawasaki. 

This one starts off with one of my pet peeves of jazz: Beatles covers. "Something" is a tune I've seen a few times on Japanese jazz albums. If you're a Beatles fan, you might enjoy it. In my opinion, this one doesn't really start until about the midway point of "Mustache." "Barabajagal" might be the best tune here and features a great Inomata drum solo. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" features great playing from Yokoto on flute but the track abruptly ends. Likely a problem with this copy. "Greensleeves" follows and while we've all heard this tune a million times, Uematsu plays wonderfully on the soprano sax on this rendition. Good stuff. 

I have 3 more albums to share. Stay tuned. Enjoy!