Ryo Okumoto / Makin' Rock

The 2009 first release of "Light Mellow Choices" will be the Japanese hard-fusion masterpiece, Ryo Okumoto's 2nd leader album "Makin' Rock".

Osaka born Keyboard player, Ryo Okumoto became known in Japan when Ryo toured with a Japanese group called "Creation" and recorded on their album "Best of Creation" in 1978. The next year Ryo toured with the legendary, "Kitaro" and recorded on Kitaro's album, "Live in Parco." In February 1980, Ryo's first leader album, "Solid Gold" with Canyon Records was released. He recorded this album at Air Studio in London with well-known musicians including Richard Baily (drummer for Jeff Beck). Only 2 month later, Ryo released his 2nd leader album, "Makin' Rock", which was recorded at Sound Labs Studios in Hollywood, having the best musicians : David Foster, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro and Neil Stubenhaus.

Since 1994, Ryo Okumoto has been best known for his lasting tenure in the American progressive rock group Spock's Beard, but he has done a lot of different things before he joined. His track record includes recording sessions and live performances with pop and R&B artists like Peabo Bryson, Phil Collins and Aretha Franklin on the one hand. Some of AOR/Melodic Rcok freaks might recall his 2002 solo effort "Coming Through" again featuring Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips and Bobby Kimball.

If I would discribe the music on "Makin' Rock" album very simply, it would be a kind of hard-progressive fusion, which I feel is very close to Karizma's or Los Lobotomys'. Someone says that the perfectness of the album outstrips Greg Mathieson Project's legendary live session recordings "The Baked Potato Super Live" (1982) featuring both Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather. Steve Lukather also dedicated his songwriting talent on 2 tunes and, Jay and David also arranged several tunes. Therefore, it should be worth buying for all of TOTO / Airplay fans.

• Label : Vivid Sound, Japan <VSCD3376> (Original: See Saw / Pony Canyon, Japan <C28R0053>)
• Rerelease Date: January 21, 2009 (Original Release: April 21, 1980)
• Ryo Okumoto:  Fender Rhodes Ryo Okumoto; Piano, Fender Rhodes, Obx, Arpsynthesizer,Vocorder＆Vocal
• Musicians:
• • Drums: Jeff Porcaro
  • Bass:Neil Stubenhaus
  • Guitars: Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon
  • Piano: David Foster
• Tracks:
  1. Keep On Rockin'
  2. Crystal Highway
  3. Solid Gold
  4. L.A.Express
  5. Freedom
  6. Original View Plus
     
  7. Mystery White
  8. Morinig Joint

Comments

[Andrei Sandor]

I'd pay to have a copy of this one!
write me: [email protected]

Thanx!