Kosuke Ichihara & 3L - Now Sound '75 (1975)
Now Sound '75 has the cool title, but the band name has been something of a mystery until recent times. Technically known as 市原宏祐 と 3L, the former translates to famed jazz saxophone & flutist Kosuke Ichihara, and the 3L denotes the recognizable Love Live Life. So the album really belongs to Ichihara, rather than the latter. We'll explain later...
As for the music, when I hear the term deep groove, this is exactly what the term means to me. Often times what it becomes is a catch-all term for funk, disco, or even straight out jazz. None of that here, as you'll need to put a jacket on since the music is so cool. Slow churning rhythms, with some splendid flute lines, atmospheric sax, and a smattering of fuzzy electric guitar that is always tasteful, never overbearing. Grab a tumbler, drop in some ice, pour a thimble full, close your eyes, and nod your head. Yea sure, put on a derby hat too. A couple of the tracks are of the smoky jazz variety, so much so, one gets cancer from the second hand cigarettes the vinyl puffs out of the grooves.
Ownership: 2017 HMV (LP)
Satsujin Jissho [Ten Chapters of Murder]. (1974)
I've known about Love Live Life + 1 for many years, but wasn't aware the group had a second album until recently. It's a concept album about various incidents of nefarious killings (anything from the St. Valentine's Massacre to the Holocaust). Musically the mood doesn't really fit the concept, as it's a real hodge podge of sounds. Anything from instrumental funky wah wah cop show themes, to avant garde indigenous music, to ragtime jazz is featured here. Whatever it is, it's definitely underground 1970's Japan - where anything goes! Honestly it doesn't remind me of the other LLL+1 album at all, and should be strictly considered on its own. Plenty of psychedelic guitar to keep an underground rock fan interested - but be prepared for many changes in style.
No CD reissues for either as of 3/4/25.
I've known about Love Live Life + 1 for many years, but wasn't aware the group had a second album until recently. It's a concept album about various incidents of nefarious killings (anything from the St. Valentine's Massacre to the Holocaust). Musically the mood doesn't really fit the concept, as it's a real hodge podge of sounds. Anything from instrumental funky wah wah cop show themes, to avant garde indigenous music, to ragtime jazz is featured here. Whatever it is, it's definitely underground 1970's Japan - where anything goes! Honestly it doesn't remind me of the other LLL+1 album at all, and should be strictly considered on its own. Plenty of psychedelic guitar to keep an underground rock fan interested - but be prepared for many changes in style.
No CD reissues for either as of 3/4/25.
9/3/10 (review)
12/21/18 (new entry)
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