Words by Justin Turford
Now this is special. The always brilliant Wewantsounds label is going to reissue this cult live LP by Japanese master drummer George Otsuka and his quintet and it is a sublime and wild ride. Recorded live on 19th July 1975 at the Nemu Jazz Inn (the superlative ‘Dance Of Magic’ by Norman Connors, Eddie Henderson and Gary Bartz was also recorded on the same occasion!) and it is a masterclass of mid-70s jazz expression. Driven hard by Otsuka’s blistering drumming and the Fender Rhodes wizardry of Fumio Karashima, the four tracks swerve between fusion, modal and Brazilian jazz with breathtaking virtuosity. Originally released on the cool as fuck Japanese imprint Bellwood and remastered from the original tapes, this record is one hell of a reissue.
Regarded as one Japan’s greatest ever drummers, Otsuka had a fifty year recording and playing career that saw him at the top of his game from the 1950s and with this quintet he was burning hot. Their version of the Steve Kuhn penned ‘Something Everywhere’ is white hot energy with the Otsaku’s drumming and Norio Ohno’s percussion bewildering in it’s power, the soprano sax of Shozo Sasaki roaring, Karashima’s fingers all over the keys and the modal growl of bassist Mitsuaki Furuno delivering a jazz dance moment for athletes only. The lovely ‘Little Island’ which was written by Karashima is a lilting modal blues piece taken out of it’s reverie at points by the abstracted percussion section. The quintet’s version of John Coltrane’s ‘Miles Mood’ is nuts. Always teetering on the edge, the playing by everyone is giddy yet still impregnable with an extravagant drum solo by Otsuka that really captures his multi-limbed brilliance.
Lastly and most definitely not least is their exceptional version of Minnie Riperton’s evergreen classic ‘Lovin’ You’ and what a gorgeously unique take on the song it is. Bassist Mitsuaki Furuno’s groove-heavy fingers control the pace and melody of the piece as the rest of the band get loose around him, magnificent.
George Otsuka sadly passed away in 2020 so didn’t manage to witness the reissue of this perfect moment of his life being returned to but for us, the record is a magnifying glass on a master musician scanning the heights.
RELEASED ON MARCH 26TH 2021 ON WEWANTSOUNDS
PRE-ORDER HERE! https://wewantsounds.bandcamp.com/merch/george-otsuka-quintet-loving-you-george-special-lp-edition-black-vinyl