1971 2xLP Masabumi Kikuchi “All About Dancing Mist” on Phillips

Super unusual set from the brilliant Kikuchi, which are actually five sets with five different lineups playing his “Dancing Mist” composition from “Poo Sun” in various incarnations recorded over the course of two years. While the melody remains the same, the vibe, conception, and delivery are markedly different with each. The first is pretty much an answer to the question, “What would this sound like with Joe Henderson on it?” and I think most of us already know the answer to that. It’s a monster group all around, with Hiroshi Murakami on drums, Kohsuke Mine on soprano, and Terumasa Hino doing his trumpet thing.

​The second is a live recording minus Joe and Hino. The third and possibly the most nuanced has Motohiko Hino on drums and adds Hideo Ichikawa on organ to offset Kikuchi’s electric piano in a septet format. The fourth has Sadao Watanabe on alto, the mighty Takeru Muraoka on tenor, T. Hino back on trumpet, and Yoshiaki Masuo (Guitar Workshop) slinging guitar, and it’s a burner. The Final Mist is a stripped down live closer with Mine and Kikuchi driving the bus. This is a fascinating concept record and for a long time was impossible to listen to in any format. TUFF action, a stomper every spin.