Stomu Yamashta Seasons The Island Albums 1972 1976
7CD Box Set / Esoteric Recordings / Cherry Red Records
Please watch the video above for the full review
At the time I put the video together for this I was still dipping in and out of the box set and main two albums I was familiar with were ‘Go’ and ‘Go…Live From Paris’
This is a thrilling box set that gives me the chance to explore an artist that I missed out on first time around and dive into so many styles of music. My 13 years old self was busy listening to Slade and T -Rex in 1972 and would have not have coped with something like this this back then. Here I am 50 years later just loving everything about it.
Floating World (1972) is the most experimental to me and it is amazing to think Island Records took a chance with this when music fans at the time were probably less open minded than they are now. The Man From the East (1973) has some wonderful and moving music especially with tracks such as like Memory of Hiroshima and Mountain Pass.
Freedom is Frightening (1973) is a jazz fusion tour de force and has become my favourite in the box set.
One by One (1974) is also quite experimental with classical overtones and some exquisite violin playing from Hisako Yamashta who is also Stomu’s wife. There is also some great funk based grooves as well!
Raindog (1975) follows a similar path until we get to Go (1976) which takes the music to a whole new level.
Go also features Steve Winwood, Klaus Schulze, Al /Di Melola and Pat Thrall. This is ambient, funk, PROG, Jazz, you name it it is just brilliant.
The box set finishes on a high with the double live album Go…Live in Paris (1976)
The sound quality is 10/10 as is the very informative 40 page booklet.
Highly Recommended
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
