More Info
WEWANTSOUNDS embark on a major reissue programme of Makoto Kubota’s three Sunset Gang albums recorded in the 70s with Haruomi Hosono for the Showboat label. These cult albums feature his blend of Japanese folk, blues and R&B blended with Hawaiian, Okinawan and New Orleans influences. The reissues are done in collaboration with Makoto Kubota and come with original artwork and audio newly remastered by Kubota himself.
A year after the release of their highly-acclaimed album ‘Hawaii Champroo’ in 1975, Makoto Kubota and The Sunset Gang reunited at Sounds of Hawaii studios with co-producer Haruomi Hosono to record a new album, ‘Dixie Fever’. They used pretty much the same ingredients that had made the success of Champroo - an effortless mix of Japanese folk and American roots music with some tropical influences.
As per previous releases ‘Hawaii Champroo’ and ‘Sunset Gang’, ‘Dixie Fever’ includes a mix of original compositions and covers, such as The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Wild About My Lovin’ and a funked up version of Ralph McTell’s ‘When i Was a Cowboy’. The Gang’s usual musicians (Keni Inoue on guitar, Yosuke Fujita on slide guitar and Takashi Onzo on bass and keyboards) are augmented Tin Pan Alley drummer Tatsuo Hayashi, Motoya Hamaguchi on percussion and New Orleans pianist and Dr. John friend, Ronnie Barron. One of the highlights of the album is undoubtedly ‘Hoshikuzu’ (Stardust) which has become a cult classic over the years on the international City Pop. WEWANTSOUNDS presents this album for the first time internationally.
Tracklist
Dixie Fever / Wild About My Lovin’ / Rakuda Blues (Camel Blues) / Heart No Melody / Hoshikuzu (Stardust) / Chinatown Blues / Captain Banana / When I Was A Cowboy / Hitotu Dake Hikaru Mono