Masayoshi Takanaka - Guitar Wonder - SHM CD

Masayoshi Takanaka - Guitar Wonder (1996) is one of those albums that just hits different. Not your typical jazz-rock fusion, but something smoother, more playful. You press play and suddenly you're in a sunlit Tokyo street from the 80s, even if you've never been there. The guitar tone? Crisp. Clean. A little flashy, yeah, but never overdone. Takanaka doesn't show off for no reason-he's got style with purpose. First track, "Guitar Wonder," sets the mood right. Breezy, upbeat, melodic. It's like he's saying, "Relax, I got you." Then "Señor" comes in-twice, actually, two versions on the album. That might sound redundant, but nah, it works. One feels live, raw; the other polished. Both got groove.

The Latin influence is strong here. Not fake exoticism, either. Feels respectful, inspired. You can tell he studied the vibe, not just copied it. "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor" stands out. A cover, sure, but Takanaka makes it his own. Acoustic layers, soft percussion, subtle electric lines weaving through. It's emotional without being dramatic. Like a quiet memory you didn't know you had. "Star Sauce" (translated as "Star Sauer") is another favorite. Weird name, I know. But the track? Smooth ride. Funky bass, light keys, guitar dancing on top. Pure instrumental joy. Not everything's perfect though. "More Harley" is only 1 minute 7 seconds-basically a skit. Feels like filler. And while "Harley A Go Go" is fun, it's a bit too campy. Like soundtrack music for a retro scooter ad. Doesn't ruin the flow, but kind of sticks out. Production-wise, it's clean. Maybe too clean? Some might say it lacks grit. Everything's so balanced it almost feels sterile at times. But that's probably the point. This isn't garage rock. It's polished city jazz with a wink. Recorded at Studio Terra, mastered at On Air Azabu-places known for precision. You can hear it. Takanaka produced this himself. Makes sense. No one else could shape this sound exactly right. He's not just a guitarist-he's a curator of moods. The way tracks flow into each other, the pacing... thoughtful. Even when it's fast, it never feels rushed. Side note: the album art? Simple. Just text. Kinda underwhelming. After hearing the music, you expect something vibrant. Maybe palm trees, neon, a guitar on a beach. Instead, it's plain. But whatever. The sound carries it. What's weird is how current it feels. Made in '96, but doesn't sound dated. No cheesy synths or overproduction traps many fell into back then. It's timeless in a quiet way. Not revolutionary, but deeply satisfying. Ended up listening twice in a row first time. Didn't plan to. Just slipped into the second run like nothing. That says a lot. Funny thing-after finishing, I looked up "Takanaka" meaning. Turns out it roughly translates to "tall middle." Fitting, maybe. He's not extreme in any direction. Not too jazzy, not too pop. Not too wild, not too tame. Just right in the middle-and somehow, that's where the magic lives.