
This is the 1975 album by composer and pianist Jun Fukamachi, a pioneer who played a crucial role during the dawn of crossover/fusion music in Japan. He began his professional music career while studying at Tokyo University of the Arts and worked on a wide range of music, from theater to film scores. Leading the 21st Century Band, Fukamachi assembled a quintet featuring some of Japan's top-notch musicians, including Shuichi Murakami on drums, Kenji Ohmura on guitar, Rei Ohara on bass, and Motoya Hamaguchi on percussion. Together, they crafted a highly technical crossover jazz-rock sound that rivals Weather Report. Fukamachi utilized various instruments, including acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mellotron, Mini Moog, Arp Odyssey, and numerous synthesizers to create his unique musical universe. Ponta's drumming is also extraordinary. The standout track is the title piece “Rokuyu” on B1, which spans a staggering 18 minutes and 40 seconds.
Meikyu = 00:00
Hateruma = 06:01
Shin-Ku = 12:50
Rokuyu = 22:24
Drums, Timpani – Ponta Murakami*
Electric Bass – Rei Ohara*
Electric Guitar – Kenji Omura
Engineer [Recording] – Norio Yoshizawa
Liner Notes – 深町 純*, 村井邦彦*
Management [Band Manager] – Teruya Mae
Percussion – Motoya Hamaguchi
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Dennis Stock
Piano [Acoustic Piano], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes Electric Piano 88], Synthesizer [Solina, Mellotron String Ensemble, Mini Moog, ARP Odyssey, Yamaha SY11], Clavinet [Horner Clavinette D6], Talkbox [Talking Box] – Jun Fukamachi
Producer – Seizo Shimokobe, Shoro Kawazoe
Producer [Assistant] – Shunsuke Miyazumi
Sopranino Saxophone [Electric] – Ken Muraoka