Hiro Tsunoda, Tairyoku Band

Hiro Tsunoda began his career as a jazz drummer in the mid-1960s, studying under Masahiko Togashi and playing professionally in the groups of Masahiko Sato and Sadao Watanabe. In the mid-1970s, Tatsunoda played back-up for Maki Asakawa at Aketa's and hit it off with Shoyuki Akutagawa, with whom he had a series of sessions. This album is excerpted from the recordings made during this period. As Tsunoda says, "It is not unusual for one song to last 30 to 50 minutes," and the performance is thoroughly hot and intense. The performance is hot and dense, with a sense of explosion and drive. The drum solo by the demi-god is heavenly. Originally released in 1978. World's first CD release, digitally remastered in 2019. New commentary included.