Nobuyoshi Ino - Mountain

 

The one and only solo album by bassist Nobuyoshi Ino. With an extensive, intimidating resume, including playing for Masayuki Takayanagi, and many others Japanese Jazz greats. Besides being a sideman, he has many colab albums, but this is the only one to sport his name and nobody else. Released by the amazing Better Days, so expect top notch quality. This is total 80's Jazz, and by that I mean, total ECM worship, so if  you don't vibe with "new age-y" Fusion, turn around now.

Even though it's Ino's solo album, all compositions are by guitarist Kazumi Watanabe, another well accomplished session muscian, but with a pretty successful solo carrer (pretty well known among City Pop enthusiasts). I don't really like the guy's work, but here it's all right, mostly because I like my Fusion to be atmospheric, ECM style. And if you're like me, and also like Pat Metheny, Ralph Towner, John Abercrombie, most ECM guitarists, then this is the record. Which is weird, because this is supposed to be a bassist record, right? Oh well, I guess he's used to being a sideman, which also raises the question "why release a solo record anyway"... who knows the circunstancies...

Most songs rely on acoustic guitar, bass, some synths, mostly percussion-less, soft and relaxing atmosphere, except by 'Yawning Baku' and 'Khan-Foo' which are more traditional Jazz numbers (but they don't feel out of place, especially if you're already used to Pat Metheny's records, where you can sometimes find some head-scratching curveballs, not in the good sense). 'Waterfall' is definitely the highlight, utilizing the whole bag of tricks: Acoustic guitar backing, Ambient synths, a beautiful bowed bass solo, a string quartet, then transitioning into the typical ECM style Fusion, with sax and, damn it, those guitars are total Pat Metheny rip-off... like, really! I'm done invoking his name, but listen to it, it's undeniable. Opening track 'Window' has an amazing bass solo too, as well a beautiful acoustic guitar and swirling synths, and the title track 'Mountain' is pure Ambient bliss. Closing things off is 'Seven Daffodills', only non Watanabe composition, and with only the string quartet.

Again, it's not super original, and is super derivative of the ECM catalog, but I consider it as a good thing, as I love this kinda sound (and am always looking for more of it, specially if it's not on ECM), and it's super well done and executed. If you also like your Jazz to be Ambient, check this one out