Masayoshi Takanaka -- tell me more!

[IMWeasel]

I just kind of discovered him recently -- Anyone here a fan of this japanese fusion guitarist? Can anyone tell me more about him?

[aith01]

Yes!! I don't know much about him, but I've got a few of his albums (some studio, and the two Super Collection 2-disc sets for the Kitty Years and EMI Years).

夏・全・開 (Natsu zenkai) is really good. I tracked down a used vinyl copy because I liked it so much. It has the tracks "Paradizzy" and "Eyelands", which are two of my faves. But that whole disc is good from beginning to end IMO. Really fun and enjoyable city pop with some jazz fusion elements.

What have you heard by him so far? I don't want to go on about stuff you might have already heard.

[Progbear]

I mainly know of him via his work with his early bands Flied Egg and Sadistic Mika Band, but the Youtube algorithm has been boosting his solo albums, so maybe I should give one of those a try some day.

[moecurlythanu]

I have Rainbow Goblins Story on 2LP and CD. They are not identical. I'm not a Fusion guy, but there are Proggy elements, and it's a solid album. I've never regretted getting them.

[progcd54]

He is a master guitarist of fusion/prog and I am a huge fan going back many years. He bagan his career in the prog band Flied Egg. Granted a few of his later solo released were less fusion and really should be avoided.

Rainbow Goblins is a masterpiece. The video "Rainbow Goblins Story (Live At Budokan) 1981" is stunning. Unfortunately it was only released on laserdisc...maybe VHS. No DVD that I know of. The story/narration is a bit childish, but the music is awesome. You can watch it on YouTube https://youtu.be/vxD4Wbd_Fuo

[interbellum]

I only have Super Takanaka Live!, originally released in 1980. I had it on tape for many years and was happy to find a CD (the re-issue from 1990), so after my taperecorder quit services I could play it again with pleasure. Not a huge fan, but enjoyable fusion.
He has his own youtube-channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxS...rw?app=desktop

[IMWeasel]

Yes!! I don't know much about him, but I've got a few of his albums (some studio, and the two Super Collection 2-disc sets for the Kitty Years and EMI Years).

夏・全・開 (Natsu zenkai) is really good. I tracked down a used vinyl copy because I liked it so much. It has the tracks "Paradizzy" and "Eyelands", which are two of my faves. But that whole disc is good from beginning to end IMO. Really fun and enjoyable city pop with some jazz fusion elements.

What have you heard by him so far? I don't want to go on about stuff you might have already heard.

Ive only just watched clips and stuff on youtube, I dont own any albums, but I was interested in Rainbow Goblin

[IMWeasel]

He is a master guitarist of fusion/prog and I am a huge fan going back many years. He bagan his career in the prog band Flied Egg. Granted a few of his later solo released were less fusion and really should be avoided.

Rainbow Goblins is a masterpiece. The video "Rainbow Goblins Story (Live At Budokan) 1981" is stunning. Unfortunately it was only released on laserdisc...maybe VHS. No DVD that I know of. The story/narration is a bit childish, but the music is awesome. You can watch it on YouTube https://youtu.be/vxD4Wbd_Fuo

Is the later stuff more like japanese city pop then? getting curious about that stuff too heh

[aith01]

Ive only just watched clips and stuff on youtube, I dont own any albums, but I was interested in Rainbow Goblin

I haven't heard the whole of that album (yet), but there are some tracks from Rainbow Goblins on one of the CD sets I've got, IIRC.

Is the later stuff more like japanese city pop then? getting curious about that stuff too heh

There is some great stuff in the city pop genre. Some of Takanaka's music falls into that category I think, although still with his fusiony guitar stylings.

[Dana5140]

I have Rainbow Goblin, and I like it but it does not have the heaviness that I really love in fusion music. Still, he is a very talented player!

[IMWeasel]

very much appreciate all the replies! Watched another live video this morning from 2011, it was really good stuff!