{"id":6192,"date":"2022-07-28T14:17:35","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T14:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/?p=6192"},"modified":"2022-12-18T11:49:32","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T11:49:32","slug":"music-rainbow-goblins-masayoshi-takanaka-1981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/?p=6192","title":{"rendered":"MUSiC: Rainbow Goblins, Masayoshi Takanaka, 1981"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8261.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6191\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8261.jpg 600w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8261-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8261-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8261-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A beautiful cover that really does convey the magic within.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"155\" height=\"30\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/stars_10_five-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6190\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/stars_10_five-1.jpg 155w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/stars_10_five-1-150x30.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 155px) 100vw, 155px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve always loved discovering new music. New to me, that is. I don\u2019t care how old it is. And often I find I like older stuff better than contemporary stuff anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, today is a blessed day, that way, as I\u2019ve just stumbled upon the amazing 1981 album <em>Rainbow Goblins<\/em>, by Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"594\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8257.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6193\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8257.jpg 600w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8257-300x297.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8257-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8257-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Masayoshi Takanaka, a new hero of mine!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I only found out about it today. And after listening to a few tracks on YouTube, I decided I <em>had<\/em> to buy the CD. I\u2019ve ordered a copy via Amazon, and it was a bit pricey for a skint skinflint like me, (Jap import, over \u00a320!). But it\u2019s totally stolen my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"525\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MzYD56hKF-8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-GB&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The vid\u2019 that took me over the Rainbow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, from the little else of Takanaka\u2019s stuff I\u2019ve heard since discovering this, I think I\u2019ll be buying more of his music. But I\u2019ll get to that later. For now I just want to testify to how much I dig this <em>incredible<\/em> album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently the album is a concept double album &#8211; very prog! &#8211; based upon a Children\u2019s\u2019s story, about seven \u2018rainbow goblins\u2019. The story, by an Italian (poss a Count!?), Ul de Rico, is where the cover art comes from. I\u2019ve ordered a copy of that as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"252\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8263.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6194\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8263.jpg 252w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8263-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8263-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Katsu \u2018Katz\u2019 Hoshi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have to give an honourable mention to arranger Katsu Hoshi, for the strings, and &#8211; presumably? &#8211; the incredible orchestral Prologue, which sets up this dreamy album perfectly. Is the album credit, in the name \u2018Katz\u2019 Hoshi, a sly reference to Steely Dan\u2019s Gary Katz, perhaps? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s even an English language spoken narration, by a chap called Roy Garner. For a Brit it\u2019s particularly nice to hear an English narration from beyond these shores that <em>isn\u2019t<\/em> an American or transatlantic accent. I feel right at home in rainbow goblin land!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"577\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8256.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6195\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8256.jpg 600w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8256-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is my kind of place!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The music has a childish and delightfully goofy innocence at times. But as it\u2019s all played by top notch sessionistas and jazz fusion musos, it also has a beautiful late 1970s &#8211; think Creed Taylor\u2019s CTI, but filtered through a Japanese Teletubbies filter! &#8211; sophistication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Man, I <em>totally<\/em> dig it! The music itself runs an appropriately broad and colourful gamut, from the orchestral opening, to the twinkling ambience of Rising Arch, or the hard jazz funk of Seven Goblins or Plumed Bird to the rockier edge of Thunderstorm, or the totally out there fusion of tracks like Rainbow Paradise, which morphs through several genres, and yet defies any single categorisation, this album is quite a trip! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the last category &#8211; \u2018all over the map\u2019 &#8211; after the nutty \u2018goberins, goberins, goberins, goberins\u2026\u2019 vocal intro of Seven Goblins, The Sunset Valley is almost like the kind of music and melodies you might imagine hearing piped into a Japanese shopping mall in the \u201880s! Elsewhere there\u2019s a bit of reggae (Just Chuckle), some Latin vibes\u2026 and the whole lot is sprinkled with disco fairy dust, from occasional grooves to the vocoder\u2019d vocals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I\u2019ve remarked already\u2026 simply astonishing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"599\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8258.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6196\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8258.jpg 600w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8258-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8258-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8258-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of Takanaka\u2019s \u201870s recordings feature US players, like Abe Laboriel, Harvey Mason and even the Tower of Power horns. But this amazing album is, I believe, an entirely Japanese affair. And these Kitty cats sure can play! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What a truly sublime and astonishing recording. I\u2019ve definitely found a new love. Oh, and the album artwork is perfect! And how cute is that Kitty record label logo!? I can see that I need to dive deep down the J-Jazz-Fusion wormhole!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"596\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8265.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6198\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8265.jpg 596w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8265-298x300.jpg 298w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8265-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8265-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An Insatiable High<\/em>, 1977<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FURTHER EXPLORATIONS!?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Takanaka  produced a \u2018prequel\u2019 <em>White Goblin<\/em> album, many years later. Might that be any good? I have no idea! But having listened to some stuff from his earlier albums, I\u2019m pretty sure that I\u2019ll really dig <em>them<\/em>, so his <em>Seychelles<\/em>, <em>Brazilian Skies<\/em>, and the sublimely titled <em>An<\/em> <em>Insatiable High<\/em> all beckon, as does his 1979 compilation album <em>All Of Me<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"596\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8274.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6202\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8274.jpg 596w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8274-298x300.jpg 298w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8274-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8274-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Takanaka\u2019s 1976 debut, <em>Seychelles<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"591\" height=\"599\" src=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8269.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6199\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8269.jpg 591w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8269-296x300.jpg 296w, http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/img_8269-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>All Of Me<\/em>, 1979.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019ve always loved discovering new music. New to me, that is. I don\u2019t care how old it is. And often I find I like older stuff better than contemporary stuff anyway. Well, today is a blessed day, that way, as I\u2019ve just stumbled upon the amazing 1981 album Rainbow Goblins, by Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/?p=6192\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;MUSiC: Rainbow Goblins, Masayoshi Takanaka, 1981&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[21,89,77,68,10,58,1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paGwUa-1BS","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6192"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6192"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7573,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6192\/revisions\/7573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.sebpalmer.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}