Led by Hisaaki Kanzaki, these three “lost” albums by fusion outfit Kanzaki on the Road mark their first-ever CD reissue 45 years after their original release.
In the brief period from 1980 to 1981, the jazz-fusion group Kanzaki on the Road led by alto / soprano saxophone player Hisaaki Kanzaki released three original albums. Those three titles — Open My Road (’80), Little Road Gang (’80), and Long Romantic Road (’81) — are reissued for the first time. Meaning, this is their first-ever CD release, 45 years later. While the band disbanded when Kanzaki moved to the U.S. in the mid-80s, he remained active after relocating in L.A. releasing of his solo album Kanzaki (’88), reaching No. 9 on the jazz charts with a cover version of his song “So Far Away”, and writing “Baby, Baby” for a Diana Ross recording session.
Unfortunately, Kanzaki on the Road never reunited, and although repeated offers to reissue these three titles on CD had been made over the years, Kanzaki never consented to the reissue. However, last year’s 45th anniversary brought about turnaround in the situation. Naturally, the reissued versions are remastered from the original masters as high-fidelity UHQCDs (playable on the standard CD players).
The common thread across these three titles is accessible melodies and the sound as refreshing as their album covers. Despite being studio recordings, the vibrancy of the band’s live performances at venues like Roppongi and Shinjuku Pit Inn is still there.
While the band’s lineup changed slightly from album to album, Hiroshi Irie (keyboards), Kiyotsugu Amano (guitar) remained as core members with guest appearances by Mike Mainieri (vibraphone), Yoshihiro Naruse (bass) and June Yamagishi (guitar). In addition, Hiromasa “Colgen” Suzuki of the Players provided arrangements for a few songs; it’s a real pleasure to keep an eye on the eminent members while you listen. As a bonus, each CD includes one track from the 2009 album Asian Soul Brothers ft. Kanzaki & Michael Paulo, a unit formed by Kanzaki and Michael Paulo.
