Colored Music: Colored Music +1 (Japan Import, Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP

Formed by Ichiko Hashimoto and Atsuo Fujimoto shortly after their previous band toured with YMO, Colored Music released this self-titled album in 1981 before going on hiatus for 36 years. Hashimoto and Fujimoto are the principle songwriters and musicians, but Colored Music features an array of session players; notably the alluring percussionist Pecker (to what degree, we’re not exactly sure) and Prism drummer Mansaku Kimura. Much of the album features Kimura’s drumming on top of the 808 and various other drum machines, creating a unique rhythmic palette inspired by the combined man & machine grooves heard on Sly Stone’s Fresh album. The top line consists of Hashimoto and Fujimoto taking turns on vocals over deep funk-inspired basslines and an omnipresent layer of celestial pads courtesy of the Roland Jupiter 4. Inspired by Roxy Music, Miles Davis, Brian Eno and Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy, the album is a colorful mix of adventurous improvisation (“Third Eye / Clear Light”), jazz-funk greatness (“Love Hallucination”), jagged post-punk guitar shrieks dressed up in rapid-fire 808 beats (“Ei Sei Raku”) and even proto-house music (“Heartbeat”). They veer from Kate Bush-inspired balladry (“Sanctuary”) to cocky blues-rock à la ZZ Top (“Too Much Money”) from one track to the next, and the moods swing just as effortlessly within the course of a single song; check out the uptempo avant-funk grooves breaking out into gorgeous piano-led cascade on “Anticipation.” 2025 Japan import pressing with previously CD-only bonus track "Giant Bird," recommended.

• clear sky blue colored vinyl
• high quality Japan import
• includes obi strip + printed foldout insert
  
• limited edition
• original release year: 1981
• music label: Nipponophone 2025

reviewed by sunrise mart 09/2018