[Japan] TOSHIYUKI MIYAMA & THE NEW HERD - 1980 - Big Stuff: T. Miyama & New Herd Plays Chikara Ueda

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TOSHIYUKI MIYAMA & THE NEW HERD - 1980 - Big Stuff: Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd Plays Chikara Ueda [Smooth Jazz]


00:00 - A1. Samboogie
07:57 - A2. Big Stuff
13:59 - A3. Sunset Valley +
20:14 - B1. Mystery Cat
25:39 - B2. Walking Stone
29:32 - B3. Mas Quero Dançar (But Dancing)
34:37 - B4. So Fine

**Big Stuff: Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd Plays Chikara Ueda** is a 1980 progressive big-band LP led by clarinetist-bandleader Toshiyuki Miyama, featuring seven compositions by noted arranger/composer Chikara Ueda and performed by Miyama’s New Herd augmented with electric guitar, electric piano, and guest percussionists.

The album fuses traditional big-band charts with late-’70s jazz-fusion textures — driving guitar cuts, punchy brass voicings, and groovy rhythms — underscoring Ueda’s flair for modern orchestration.

All seven tracks are composed, arranged, and conducted by Chikara Ueda — an influential Japanese composer/arranger and music critic — who also contributes keyboards and synthesizer on this session. This release sits firmly within Toshiyuki Miyama’s series of adventurous “New Herd” projects, highlighting his shift toward more electrified, fusion-inflected big-band writing.

Chikara Ueda brings a fusion sensibility to the New Herd’s brass-heavy sound, layering tight horn lines over rhythmic electric guitar riffs and syncopated percussion. The overall vibe recalls Japan’s late-’70s jazz-fusion movement, with episodes of driving funk (**“Big Stuff”**), Brazilian-tinged grooves (**“Mas Quero Dançar”**), and atmospheric electric piano passages. Guest stars like drummer Hideo Yamaki and tenor-saxophonist Yasuaki Shimizu add fiery solos, the latter at a peak of creative output in 1980 (simultaneously recording solo and pop projects).

Tracklist (all composed/arranged by Chikara Ueda)

A1. Samboogie
A2. Big Stuff
A3. Sunset Valley
B1. Mystery Cat
B2. Walking Stone
B3. Mas Quero Dançar (But Dancing)
B4. So Fine

Key Personnel

Toshiyuki Miyama – conductor, superviser
Noboru Muramatsu & Shinji Nakayama – alto sax & clarinet
Haruomi Ishimatsu – baritone sax
Yasuaki Shimizu – tenor sax & flute
Hideo Kamimura – cornet (guest)
Hideo Yamaki – drums (guest)
Yasuhiko Tachibana – electric bass
Takao Naoi – electric/acoustic guitar (guest)
Kiyoshi Takano – electric piano
Yoshinori Nohmi – percussion (guest)
Additional trombones, trumpets, reeds rounding out Miyama’s 18-piece ensemble.

Release Details

Label: Electric Bird (SKS-8015)
Date: April 21, 1980 (Japan)
Format: 12" vinyl; approx. 40 min runtime