Takashi Ohi — Good Vibration

I remembered picking this record up on my first trip to Okinawa at Music Punch Records. While I was actually looking for Okinawan jazz, just couldn’t resist this intense looking cover and the owner was kind enough to play it for me. Right from the opening track, a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely”, it had me.

Takashi Ohi (or Ooi) (大井貴司), is a jazz vibraphonist from Mie prefacture. While he may not have the longest of discographies, he is by no means any less accomplished. Having gained recognition early in his career by pianist/founder of The Modern Jazz Quartet, John Lewis and invited to play in the US as the sole Japanese artist on a festival lineup that included artists like Jimmy Forrest, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis etc. is more than most artists can dream of.

While I don’t heard him talked about as much as artists like Terumasa Hino or Sadao Watanabe lately, he’s very much respected by other musicians. Especially American artists who he’s had as guests on several albums, even this album his debut, Good Vibration, had John Lewis guesting on 2 of his original compositions.

One of those two compositions written by Ohi is “Blues For Mr. John”, for none other than John Lewis who also accompanies him on the piano. It’s clear upon hearing this track why for a period of time people were speculating that Lewis was enlisting Ohi to reunite MJQ. In terms of playing style, there are strong similarities to Milt “Bags” Jackson which comes through from the way he strikes and accentuates his notes. In fact, this song structurally and feel wise reminds me of Bags’ classic standard “Bags’ Groove”, though Ohi’s track and overall feel is much more laid back.

“Nica’s Dream” is possibly my favourite cut along with the Stevie Wonder cover. Mostly cause I tend to veer towards saxophone tracks, like this one which has one of Japan’s highly regarded saxophonists Akira Miyazawa taking lead. It was noted that Miyazawa had actually grown disinterested in jazz. Leaving in the ‘70s only to return in ’81, recording his comeback live album “My Piccolo” and subsequently becoming a part of this project of his own volition.

Miyazawa’s snaking sax lines and calm intensity complements Ohi’s cool vibes perfectly. Hearing them trade licks is an absolute wonder and from Ohi’s solos you can distinctly hear his own style coming through. A light but deft touch with a hint of sun kissed palm trees, likely imparted from his dad who was also a marimba player in a Hawaiian band and had taught him how to play.

“Good Vibration” may be one of my rarer pickups, there was only a solitary auction entry which had long expired when I first got it. Currently at the time of writing there are 2 copies on Discogs priced decently around USD$25, it’s worth picking up if you’re a fan of vibes lead albums.

Also for more info, check out our transcription and translation of the album’s liner notes here. It describes more about how the album came to be and Ohi’s background written by noted jazz critic Toshio Honda (本多俊夫).

Takashi Ohi is still actively performing to this day, do follow him and check out his performances if you can at his official website.

Credits:
Vibraphone & Produced By: Takashi Ohi (大井貴司)
Piano: John Lewis & Hajime Ohno (大野肇)
Tenor Sax: Akira Miyazawa (宮沢昭)
Bass: Shozo Okamoto (岡本昌三)
Drums: Keiji Kishida (岸田恵士)