Breeze

Studio Mule present a reissue of Breeze, originally released in 1987. One of the best and most complex Japanese jazz fusion albums, 1987's Breeze was recorded by Hiroyuki Namba, Eiji Kawamura, and Toshiro Imaizumi's band Atlas. Hiroyuki Namba is one of the most important Japanese keyboardist of the '80s with a legacy that includes Japanese cosmic classic Who Done It?/Tropical Explosion (1983), a sought-after gem by diggers. In addition to his work with his progressive rock band Sense Of Wonder, he's also known as a member of Tatsuro Yamashita's band. Eiji Kawamura is a highly respected arranger who has worked on projects by major recording artists like Kyoko Koizumi and Hideaki Tokunaga, and Atlas's third member Toshiro Imaizumi is a skilled studio musician who's also worked on major projects. The album opens with the soothing sounds of ocean waves that turn into the melancholic fusion number that is "Mediterranean Breeze", setting the Balearic mood for the whole album. "Simpatia" is an album highlight with a euphoric feel that could be Tokyo's answer to the sounds of Ibiza - an obscure Japanese gem. "After Brunch With You" is a sunny samba fusion with a playful, bright piano melody, followed by "Summer Breeze", an electric fusion jam that sounds like Holger Czukay wrote it. A track that was so ahead of it's time, it wouldn't be surprising if International Feel picked it up and released it as is. Breezy mellow tune "Never Come Into Your Eyes" is reminiscent of the sentimental feeling one gets around summer's end. Another album highlight, "Indige", is one of Japan's most unique dance tracks of the time, an electric disco stomper that sound like it could've been produced by Todd Terje. "Breeze For Siesta" features Toshiro Imaizumi's beautiful piano paying, a relaxing song that wouldn't sound out of place on ECM. "Love Beach" blends prog influences with fusion in a way only Hiroyuki Namba can do. The album ends with "Madrigl", a magical song with dramatic and melancholic moments, full of quintessentially Japanese sense of beauty.