dreadpirateroberts
Aside from her obvious skill as a piano player, Toshiko Akiyoshi is one of the best modern big-band arrangers you will hear. 'Discovered' by Oscar Peterson in the 50s, it was some time before she would meet, marry and team up with tenor saxophonist Lew Tabackin and form a Big Band.
'Kogun' is their first release, in 1974, and it does everything you want a Big Band album to do. It sounds full, the tempo snaps, the solos are satisfying, the arrangements often go somewhere unexpected and there is, at times, a dose of something else completely when Akiyoshi incorporates traditional Japanese music into the sound.
The album opens with 'Elegy' something of a hard bop/big band track where we hear some nimble piano playing as Akiyoshi takes center stage by opening the song with a solo. This is wonderful but all to brief, as throughout the album her piano is used more for accompaniment, as she focuses on arrangement and (I imagine) conducting the band. That in itself is not meant to detract from the album, I simply found myself wanting more of her solos. 'Kogun' then switches gear with the brooding 'Memory' a ten-minute exploration of sombre territory, with muted trumpet and almost hesitant flutes featuring over sometimes menacing crescendos from the rest of the band. It also incorporates some clipped and processed spoken word that makes for a fascinating inclusion to the piece.
The title track is next, where the influence of Japanese music is clear. Here the fusion of styles dazzles the listener in a song with such a tonal range that it almost feels like a film score - if you search out any song from this album to hear before making a decision on a purchase, start with this one. 'American Ballad' is more in the tradition of older, war-time ballads but is treated to some lively moments. Closer 'Henpecked Old Man' matches the snappy tempo of the opener and is bit of a showcase for sax soloing and should keep your foot tapping.
'Kogun' is defined in part by the arrangements and the horns, but also by the sound of the flute, which plays a really important role in the songs - especially in helping to convey the otherworldly moments that the album carries off so well. Highly, highly recommended for fans of Progressive Big Band - and though this album is essential if you're interested in Akiyoshi, I'd actually start with the follow up 'Long Yellow Road.' That said, 'Kogun' shouldn't disappoint either.