1971 WL promo Takeshi Inomata “Guts The Drum” on Express

I don’t generally dig these JP comps packed with American rock covers, but sometimes the players transcend the form. I mean, if Kimio Mizutani is slanging guitar on it, I’m sold, period.  And if Mr. Inomata swings by to lend his name, style, arrangements, and KILLER rhythms, I am also pretty much sold regardless. For that matter, how does any thinking man NOT buy a record called “Guts The Drum” on the spot at any price? Or even “ガッツ・ザ・ドラム” , or Gattsu za doramu”? In any case, all of the covers have interesting elements beyond being a ’71 JP wedding band, and many of them BURN when they turn into freeform layouts and totally forget the melody, which everyone was bored with three decades ago anyway. Fortunately, we drop Keef, Mick, Elton, and Fogarty for the third section, and it’s all Norio Maeda, and, friends, that’s where you make your money. Plus, the art! I dunno, I really dig this record, a rare bird all the way around, and a fun time on a Sunday afternoon for sure. Oh yea.