Masabumi Kikuchi Quintet

On this recording, one can hear both resolve and farewell. Just before departing for the United States, Masabumi Kikuchi pours himself into these now-legendary compositions. Gifted with a singular artistic voice and a keen sense of his time, Kikuchi established himself as a pianist of international stature. In 1973, he relocated his base of operations to New York. Recorded immediately before that move, End For The Beginning captures a studio live performance held in front of invited fans, documenting a pivotal moment in his career.

During this period, Kikuchi was exploring innovative sounds through the use of electric instruments and unconventional ensembles. Yet on this album, he returned to a more traditional format: a two-horn frontline backed by a piano trio. The program consists entirely of five original compositions by Kikuchi himself. The determination surrounding his imminent departure fuels the music's intensity, while the sense of farewell evokes a distinctly Japanese emotional depth. Masterpieces such as “Shuuu”, “GinKai”, and “Green Dance” emerge like waves from beyond an atmosphere charged with tension and anticipation. The quintet is Kikuchi on piano, Kohsuke Mine on soprano saxophone and percussion, Hideo Miyata on tenor saxophone and flute, Yoshio Suzuki on bass and Hiroshi Murakami on drums.

Japanese reissue by Universal Music. Recorded at Victor Studios in March 1973.