Heat Check: Electro Keyboard Orchestra (1975)

Electro Keyboard Orchestra “Self Titled” (1975)

Released in Japan in 1975 on Columbia, Electro Keyboard Orchestra is a brilliant slice of Japanese jazz-funk built around an extraordinary lineup of eight keyboard players — Masahiko Sato, Masao Yagi, Hiromasa Suzuki, Yuji Ohno, Kentaro Haneda, Hideo Ichikawa, Shigehito Ohara and Sadayasu Fujii — backed by guitarist Ken Yajima, bassist Akira Okazawa and drummer Shuichi Murakami. Recorded using around 20 Korg synthesizers, the album has a futuristic, psychedelic feel, with thick layers of analogue keys, deep grooves and a distinctly cosmic 1970s atmosphere. Tracks such as “The Heated Point” and “The Soaring Seagull” have since become favourited among Japanese jazz, funk and hip-hop diggers; the album is also known to have influenced the sampling culture surrounding Japanese rare groove. This is a must have LP for any serious music collector, especially fans of Japanese jazz, funk and fusion grooves.

I recently had a copy in stock but no surprise it went quick. Keep any eye out for any future copies to pop up and don't hesitate if this is something that's been on your "wants" list. For now I've added the album to my Youtube channel for your listening pleasure but again the Vinyl is definitely worth hunting down. It did get a limited reissue in 2022 but even that's becoming really rare now.