Since I started with Fuzzy Sun I slowly tumbled into this neverending hole that is Japanese psych and noise. I made list with a huge load of Japanese bands called ‘The Cosmic Side of Japan’ and I tried to make some sort of guide through the releases of Acid Mothers Temple and its offshoots (wich was really difficult). Kawabata Makoto (speedguru) plays a big role in this whole scene, he is a founding member of Acid Mothers Temple and played in a lot of bands. And since 1978 Kawabata has been releasing albums under different names. You can expect everything on the psychedelic spectrum. In this post I want to highlight a couple of albums, not all of them because it is just too much to grasp.
Kawabata Makoto: That Awaking : Good-bye Me
This is one of the latest studio releases, out since May 2020. Two tracks over half an hour and they are quite exceptionnal. In these Kawabato gives us epic guitarwork over a psychedelic ambient atmosphere.
Nishinihon 西日本: If You Smell What Art Rock is Cookin! アートロックの新鋭
Nishinihon is Tsuyama Atsushi (vocals, electric bass, acoustic guitar),
Ichiraku Yoshimitsu (drums, percussion) and Kawabata Makoto (electric guitar) and this my be my favourite band in this whole post. Nishinihon is wilder and very powerful. Recorded in 1999.
Kawabata Makoto: Mizu Naranu Ao Ni Sae 水ならぬ青にさへ
The original CDR (limited 100) released from Acid Mothers Temple on Jan 1998. This release is filled with guitarnoise but still has an out of this world calming vibe to it.
Kawabata Makoto & The Mothers of Invasion: Hot Rattlesnakes
Mothers of Invasion is Kawabata on guitars, Tsuyama Atsushi on bass and
Ichiraku Yoshimitsu on drums. This spacey stuff was recorded it in London during the Acid Mothers Temple UK tour 2001.
Kawabata Makoto: Your Voice From The Moon
This release is also quite interesting because it let us hear Kawabata on Electric Comp Synthesizer model-101 and it makes me even more sure he is not from earth.
NANI∞GURU: VOVIVIZM episode 1.5 (Remastered)
The original cassette tape was released by Swap Meat Records for NANI∞GURU’s European tour 2019. NANI∞GURU guitarist Kawabata Makoto and drummer Satoshima Nani from Acid Mothers Temple. This release is uptempo filled with guitar solos and is more easy to listen to.
PIkacyu-Makoto 光宙★魔呼斗: Live & Rare
This is PIKA from Osaka primitive wild girls duo Afrirampo and Makoto Kawabata. This release has two live versions and two special tracks.
PIkacyu-Makoto 光宙★魔呼斗: OM Sweet Home : We Are Shining Stars From Darklside
I like this duo very much, they have made some really great released together and this one is a really good one. Originally released in 2011.
Zoffy: Not “Very Very Famous Songs” vol.1
Formed by Tsuyama Atsushi (Psyche Bugyo, Omoide Hatoba, ex.Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.) and Kawabata Makoto in 1998. Zoffy is well known as playing innovative comical covers of famous songs, but they also play improvised fake trad. & folk music too.
Kawabata Makoto: Yuga Hiku
Yuga Hiku was recorded in 1993 is highly hypnotic filled with weird sounds all made by Kawabata.
AFRIMAKOTO あふりマコト: AFRIMAKOTO
Afrimakoto is Oni and Pika from Afrirampo and Kawabato. This is the latest studio recording session on 14th September 2020. Everything is completely improvised and is a real fun listen!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB4ceM1ygPEMWu3_-2-d83w?view_as=subscriber
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