Teruo Nakamura - Part 1

Hey there - I'm finally back at it after a little break from reality. Today I want to look at a very talented bassist in Teruo Nakamura. Not only did he release a few great fusion albums in the 70s, he also surrounded himself with great players. 

First up for today, released on Three Blind Mice, we have 1973's Unicorn. Recorded in two different sessions, it looks like Teruo used different personnel throughout the process. On electric and acoustic piano we have George Cables, Hubert Eaves III and John Miller. On soprano and tenor saxes we have Steve Grossman and on trumpet we have Charles Sullivan. On percussion we have Alvern Bunn, Keiji Kishida and Ronald Jackson. And finally on drums we have two greats in Alphonse Mouzon and Lenny White. 

This one starts off with a great groove in Nakamura original "Unicorn Lady." Grossman's soprano sax adds a great element to the tune. Two of my favorite tunes are Eaves III compositions in "Understanding" and "Umma Be Me." Both feature vocals from Sandy Hewitt and I've included instrumentals for each. Grossman tune "New Moon" is also another gem featuring great playing from Grossman himself as well as Cables on the acoustic piano. If my ear serves me right I believe Grossman plays both his tenor and soprano here. According to Discogs, Cables also plays piano on the closing tune "Derrick's Dance." But considering it's a John Miller tune, I think this might be a mistake. Either way, a great tune to close out the album.

Three years later in 1976, Teruo released his next album on Polydor, appropriately title Rising Sun. The same name his band would eventually adopt. Teruo Nakamura and The Rising Sun Band. Grossman joins again on tenor and soprano, although Carter Jefferson also lends support on the soprano on the opening and closing tunes. Jefferson plays beautifully. Please check the link for a complete breakdown of the personnel. Again we have a variety of players that differs from tune to tune. 

Favorites here would be the bouncy tune "Cat" where Grossman shines as usual, as well as the very funky "Red Shoes" that features great synthesizer play from Lonnie (not Liston) Smith. "Precious One" is also another great one that has great tempo changes throughout. This one closes with the super fun and funky "Sweet Peas & Collard Greens" and we're 2 for 2 so far on excellent albums from Nakamura. 

I have a few more to share - stay tuned.