Ryozo Band — Gerb / Side Trip

Ryozo Band’s Gerb/Side Trip single was a random pick up while out digging at Manhattan Records back around 2016/17. Had no idea what music was on it except that cover was hella sweet. Absolutely no regret when I went home and played it, it was smooth haze-filled acid jazz.

Ryozo Obayashi (大林 亮三) a bassist from Fujisawa, Kanagawa grew up in the local band scene being exposed to multiple genres from funk, soul to reggae. In 2015 as the leader of his own band, Ryozo Band, he had recorded his first 45 release produced by DJ MURO. He’s since gone on to do session works, supporting underground artists and playing overseas from London to Paris.

Side A

For fans of Medeski, Martin & Wood and you can definitely hear their influence in the keyboard work and overall groove. Bass is smooth and funky while maintaining the cool, laid back vibe of the tracks. The drums have a solid kick which blends itself well with hip hop. No surprise this 45 was noted to be popular with local DJs at the time, its even got the co-sign from Flea Market Funk’s DJ Prestige!

Side B

Rittor Music’s Kenichiro Kawahara (河原 賢一郎) had described that if the Grammys had a “Song So Good It Makes You Sit Down and Cry” award this would’ve won in 2016. I couldn’t agree more.

This 45 has been out of production for awhile so you may need to dig around for a copy. Also follow Ryozo Obayashi online for more of his recent works.

Credits
Production/Composition: Ryozo Obayashi (大林 亮三)
Direction: Yuichiro “YUYA” Ozawa

Keyboard: Kei Okada
Drums: Hideyuki Osada (長田 英之)
Bass: Ryozo Obayashi (大林 亮三)