Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Munetaka Inoue and the Sharp Five - Haru No Umi
 | Munetaka Inoue and the Sharp Five play eleki - sort of. Their music is much more traditional than that implies, though the lineup is all eleki. This album is from 1968, and the music within is very artful and sophisticated. Simply superb! |
Picks: Haru No Umi, Rokudan, Chidori No Kyoku, Yakkosan, Etanraku, Gion Kouta, Kiyari Kuzushi, Sanosa Bushi, Haru No Umi
Track by Track Review
Eleki (Instrumental)
Slow and dramatic, with occasional tortured notes, "Haru No Umi" has the arranging sophistication of classical, and the guitars are delicate and superb! At almost seven minutes, it's a long and beautiful track. In some ways, it lies between eleki and progressive rock. About three minutes in, the band shifts into high gear, double picking and pumping out a rhythmic backtrack. Superb!
Eleki (Instrumental)
"Rokudan" is a haunting, more or less easy listening track with a bit of pomp and a lot of lovely sound. Quite nice, and traditionally based.
Eleki (Instrumental)
Fast and spunky, with rich rhythm and a splendid melody, "Chidori No Kyoku" rocks in an easy manner, and when the muted lines arrive, it gains charm and personality. There are some stinging whammy chords and double picked rampages too!
Eleki (Instrumental)
A cool jazz bass line and pumping churchy organ support very tasteful guitar. Stinging whammy chords add spunk. "Yakkosan" is an unusual song, both from a writing and arrangement standpoint. In some ways. it's kind of Doors-like.
Eleki (Instrumental)
"Etanraku" is exotic, tribal, and captivating. It drips jungle island scenes with big camp fires and undulating maidens in grass skirts. Very sensual and mysterious. Superb!
Eleki (Instrumental)
"Sakura Sakura" is perhaps the most traditionally eleki number her, with swirly organ and light guitar playing a fluid Japanese melody. The organ is haunting at times. While it's quite pretty, it's not particularly memorable.
Eleki (Instrumental)
The first half of this slow number is almost spooky in its floating ambiance and delicate performance. About half way, it doubles its tempo and begins to aurally remind me of The Beacon Street Union. Dramatic, pre-psychedelic, and engaging, with pure eleki art and strong visuals.
Eleki (Instrumental)
Opening with a monk's chant, "Kiyari Kuzushi" eventually unfolds with lovely wisps of melody before becoming classic eleki elevated by sophistication. This is really cool, contains some double picked lines, and the complexity of European prog.
Eleki (Instrumental)
This mid tempo number flows like water from a romantic fountain. The guitar lines are very artful and genuine. The spooky organ adds to the effect, and the bass line is really good!
Eleki (Instrumental)
Artful drama and traditional Japanese stylings open this track. It's hard to imagine eleki as high art, but "Haru No Umi" illustrates just how it's done. This is almost hypnotic in it's structure and artistry. By the half way point, flying double pick guitar rides against muted surf rhythms in a spectacular display of talent. Wow!