Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd - Nio & Pigeon
Imagine being in a record store in the 70s, flipping through the crates and catching a glimpse of this album staring right back at you. It’s undeniable that in any era you’d probably pick this up and at least have a look over it. Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd are one of Japan’s most heralded jazz bands having won multiple national jazz awards for their works. Having a massive discography dating all the way back to 1965 and are still actively performing to this day although with a different lineup. Their original guitarist Yamaki Kōzaburo (山木幸三郎) had been actively performing with them till his passing in 2018 and would’ve turned 90 today!
My first encounter with this album was spotting it from the line up of Japan’s own take on Record Store Day aptly named レコードの日 (Rekōdo No Hi) which occurs every year around November. Knew absolutely nothing about it except that I loved the cover art, fortunately Terminal Passage (a YouTube channel you will hear me referencing from time to time) had the album uploaded.
Majestic horns herald the album opener “Hide & Seek” followed by a peculiar assortment of…sounds. Upon reading the liner notes I’d learnt they had used a variety of children’s toys from rattles to toy drums creating an almost Indian classical raga vibe to the opening which glued me into the track. As the music progresses it unfurls into a big band explosion from the layering of multiple instruments in various arrangements slowly breaking down and building back up. The song is perfect for getting your day started as it gives off a strong in the morning getting ready for school vibe akin to its title.
Jazz critic Koyama Kiyoshi’s (児山紀芳) favourite track off the album happens to be its title track, “Nio & Pigeon”. A straight ahead big band jazz number that disproves the old adage that Japanese jazz can’t swing, harkening back to a very Duke Ellington-esque style. Composer Yamaki had used the image of downtown Asakusa where he grew up as inspiration for this track and it shows through as you can feel the energy and excitement his composition is recalling. Truthfully this might not be one of my favourite tracks as it is quite contemporary sounding past it’s intro but it certainly is a solid swinging number.
One of the longer tracks off this album and also its closer is “Adult’s Day”, starting off rightfully mysterious and more mature sounding compared to the rest of the album. What I enjoyed most about this track is its clever integration of Japanese traditional scales which I find to be smooth. Also Yamaki’s guitar and Kunisada’s bass on this is hella funky, definite shades of funk influence coming through with the use of wah and filter effects.
“Nio & Pigeon” is a definite must listen considering the strength and intricacy of its compositions and arrangements. Given my limited knowledge I do feel this could be considered a gateway album into their extensive discography being quite accessible in terms of sound. As some of their other albums tend to veer much closer to Sun Ra territory of free and spiritual jazz, which you can say is a testament to their adaptability and musicianship.
If you’re interested in reading the full album liner notes in Japanese and English, we have it translated here.
The 2019 reissue to this album is still available on HMV Japan, as part of their own J Jazz reissue campaign. Also check out the modern incarnation of The New Herds here, and do attend their live gigs once it is available again!
Tracklist
SIDE A
01． かくれんぼ Hide And Seek
02． 狐の嫁入り行進曲 A Sun Shower Parade
03． 艶歌に対する悲しみ Grief For Enka
04． 仁王と鳩 Nio And Pigeon
05． 白鳥のねむるとき When A Swan Goes To Sleep
SIDE B
06． 隅田川の流れ Stream Of The Sumida River
07． 祈願美 Dedications To The Humble Prayer
08． 成人式 Adult’s Day
Credits
Liner Notes: Koyama Kiyoshi (児山紀芳), Yamaki Kōzaburo (山木幸三郎)
Arranger/Composer: Yamaki Kōzaburo (山木幸三郎)
Musicians:
Miyama Toshiyuki (宮間利之): conductor
Oguro Kazumi (小黒和命): alto sax, alto clarinet, clarinet, flute, tambourine, bell (toy)
Nakayama Shinji (中山進治): alto sax, clarinet, flute, clapper (toy), siren (toy)
Maeda Shoji (前田章二): soprano sax, tenor sax, clarinet, flute
Saito Kiyoshi (斎藤清): soprano sax, tenor sax, clarinet, flute, kachi-kachi (toy)
Matsui Miki (松井三樹): baritone sax, bass clarinet
Hatori Koji (羽鳥幸次): trumpet, melodica
Murata Bunji (村田文治): trumpet, drum (toy)
Sano Kenichi (佐野健一): trumpet, siren (toy)
Fujisaki Kunio (藤崎邦夫): trumpet
Kataoka Teruhiko (片岡輝彦): trombone, drum (toy)
Uetaka Masamichi (上高政通): trombone, kachi-kachi (toy)
Tokura Seiichi (戸倉誠一): trombone, bell (toy), drum (toy)
Aoki Takeshi (青木武): trombone, trombone (bass), guilo (toy), siren (toy)
Imashiro Yoshinobu (今城嘉信): piano, celesta, gong, gara-gara (toy)
Kunisada Masao (国定正夫): bass
Hiromi Masaru (広見優): drums, percussion
Yamaki Kōzaburo (山木幸三郎): guitar, maracas, kachi-kachi (toy)
