Makoto Moroi (1930-2013), his name is well-known early electronic works at NHK electronic music studio, composed numerous works for Japanese traditional instruments during the 1960s and 1970s. His most notable works include "Chikurai Gosho" (1964) and "Uitenpen" (1973), with "Symphonia for S.M. ― Shin" (1972) considered his crowning achievement. On the other hand, this piece, "Kaikou,” had not been revisited since it was broadcast on NHK FM's "Contemporary Music" program on November 2, 1975.

As indicated in the subtitle, "Five Concerto Movements for Noh Flute, Percussion, and Contrabass”, the performance features a group of traditional Japanese instruments centered on the nohkan, alongside Yasunori Yamaguchi, a leading performer of contemporary percussion music, and Masahiko Tanaka, a contrabass player with the NHK Symphony Orchestra who has also released LPs and CDs of contemporary works. The title "Kaikou” appears to refer to the fusion of traditional Japanese music and contrasting 
instruments. The pairing of the high-pitched nohkan with the deep tones of the contrabass, along 
with the juxtaposition of robust taiko drums and hand drums against modern percussion instruments 
such as the glockenspiel, snare drum, and bells, contributes to enriching the overall soundscape 
with a broader range of sound textures. There have been several attempts of this kind in the past. 
Still, the exquisite sense of fusion in this work, which goes beyond a mere encounter, can be 
regarded as the true hallmark of Moroi's compositions for traditional Japanese instruments.

This recording was made on an open-reel tape that was handed directly to us around June 2011, before
Moroi's passing. It is believed to be a direct copy made for the composer's  personal archive from 
the broadcast master tape.