Kubota,Makoto/The Sunset Gang - Sunset Gang (Sealed) (LP)

MAJOR REISSUE OF MAKOTO KUBOTA'S SUNSET GANG ALBUMS RECORDED IN THE 70S WITH HARUOMI HOSONO FOR THE SHOWBOAT LABEL AND FEATURING HIS BLEND OF JAPANESE FOLK, BLUES AND R&B WITH HAWAIIAN, OKINAWAN AND NEW ORLEANS INFLUENCES. THE ALBUMS ARE RELEASED IN COLLABORATION WITH MAKOTO KUBOTA AND COME WITH ORIGINAL ARTWORK, REMASTERED BY MAKOTO KUBOTA HIMSELF. Wewantsounds is delighted to continue its Makoto Kubota retrospective with the reissue of "Sunset Gang" recorded in 1973 for Showboat. The album, co-produced by Kinji Yoshino (Haruomi Hosono, Akiko Yano, Sachiko Kanenobu) and featuring Hosono, Minako Yoshida and Taeko Ohnuki, was released as Kubota had just recorded his classic first solo album, 'Machibouke'. It marks the start of the group's unique sound mixing Japanese music with R&B, Blues and New Orleans influences, a sound that would have a lasting impression on the Japanese music scene. This is the first time the album is released outside of Japan, remastered by Makoto Kubota himself and featuring original artwork with OBI and 4 page insert. Makoto Kubota's trip to the US' East and West Coast at the dawn of the 70s had been ear-opening. After a few years playing with Les Rallizes D?nud?s, he had travelled there to soak up the music and the cultural revolution that was happening all around the country. Upon his return and after recording his solo album 'Machibouke' for the Express label, he set to record a second album with likeminded musician to emulate the sound he had witnessed during his US trip. Kubota gathered fellow musicians in the studio with producer Kinji Yoshino, alongside a few guests including Haruomi Hosono, Tatsuo Hayashi and Takashi Matsumoto from Happy End/Tin Pan Alley galaxy to record nine tracks inspired by R&B, soul, blues and tropical influences. From the bluesy 'Kawa wo Kudatte' and 'Sunset Sunset' to the Southern groove of 'Louisiana Mama' and the Grateful Dead-like feel of "Bang Bang Bang/Yukake Blues, the album is a superb mix of laid back music and an hommage to American roots music. The album marks the start of a musical odyssey Kubota and his musicians would develop further in subsequent albums by the Gang. Sunset Gang represent one of the key stones in this edifice which Wewantsounds is delighted to release for the first time outside of Japan. Tracklist 1. Tasogare No Make Love Company 5.11 2. Kobune No Tabi (Boat Trip) 5.14 3. Louisiana Mama 2.58 4. Kawa Wo Kudatte (Going By The River) 5.22 5. Sunset Sunset (instrumental) 5.07 1. Itoshi No Marie 4.30 2. Shikemoku Kurashi 3.29 3. Kaette Okure 4.07 4. Bang Bang Bang Yuyake Blues 8.35 Streaming link https://bit.ly/3pIUXFI