MASAHIKO TOGASHI — Session In Paris, Vol. 1 "Song Of Soil" (review)

MASAHIKO TOGASHI — Session In Paris, Vol. 1 Album · 1979 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Masahiko Togashi's "Song Of Soil", recorded in Paris in 1979 and reissued in France by Wewantsounds just a few months ago, is most probably his best known album in the Western world. Percussionist Togashi was one of the cornerstones of Japanese free jazz in the late 60s. In 1969 Togashi lost the use of his legs in an accident, but he developed a new drum kit and returned to playing.

Well known in Japan from his collaboration with leading domestic artists (Sadao Watanabe, Masabumi Kikuchi, Masahiko Satoh among many other), Togashi played with some leading Western jazz artists who were visiting Japan as well (Gary Peacock, Richard Beirach, Steve Lacy, etc). "Song Of Soil" is recorded on Masahiko's rare tour in Europe with two jazz greats, trumpeter Don Cherry and bassist Charlie Haden.

Originally released in Japan in 1979, this album contains six Togashi compositions, all loose and very percussive. Don Cherry improvises freely over dense Masahiko drumming, plays a lot of flute too. Haden's acoustic bass is very wooden and physical. Masahiko's compositions are rooted in Japanese folklore as well as his rhythms, but the music in whole is too bulky and not all that memorable. In fact, the album sounds more like it comes from the late 60s, not 70s. The sound quality of the reissue is excellent, so fans of Togashi and the freer side of Cherry and Haden can find some interesting moments here.
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