{"product_id":"kimiko-kasai-herbie-hancock-butterfly","title":"Kimiko Kasai \u0026 Herbie Hancock - Butterfly","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e— The Analog Vault \/\/ Essential Listening —\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOrginally intended as a Japan-only release in 1979, this beautiful album initially went unnoticed outside the county - until word of mouth justifiably made\u003cem\u003e Butterfly\u003c\/em\u003e one of the most coveted rarities in the world in subsequent decades. Fortunately Kimiko Kasai's legendary collaboration with Herble Hancock was reissued by Be With Records in 2018, ensuring this LP receives the wider recognition it deserves. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded in Tokyo, \u003cem\u003eButterfly\u003c\/em\u003e showcases the lauded Japanese chanteuse leading six vocal versions of the jazz-funk pioneer's compositions, punctuated by highlights such as a fantastic cover of Stevie Wonder's \"As\". Featuring drummer Alphonse Mouzon, organist Webster Lewis and guitarist Ray Obiedo - alongside the Headhunters Bennie Maupin on saxophones, Paul Jackson on bass, Bill Summers on peroussion, and Hancock himself on keyboards, synthesiser and vocoder - \u003cem\u003eButterfly\u003c\/em\u003e is a classy subliminal listen. — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eThe Analog Vault\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFirst ever official reissue of the positively sublime and very rare \u003cem\u003eButterfly \u003c\/em\u003eLP, recorded in Tokyo in 1979 by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to its super-rare status as a Japan-only release, this exquisite collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time, despite incredibly inspired performances from Kimiko, Herbie and the supremely talented musicians assembled for the project. From heavenly drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis to bassist Paul Jackson, reedman Bennie Maupin and the master percussionist Bill Summers, the legendary performers crafted amazingly good vocal versions of Herbie \/ Headhunters jazz-funk. Unsurprisingly, it has been heavily in demand for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LP opens with Kimiko’s highly desirable version of “I Thought It Was You”, an elegant take on Herbie’s own anthem. Other superb re-workings include the delicately soulful “Butterfly”, jazzy groover “Sunlight”, the smooth and sexy “Tell Me A Bedtime Story” and the beautiful ballads “Maiden Voyage” and “Harvest Time”. A wonderful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn’t be missed, the set closes with a jaw-dropping version of Stevie Wonder’s “As”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of this hitherto unavailable masterpiece. The stunning artwork which adorned the original jacket - complete with OBI strip and sumptuous 4 page folded insert - has been faithfully restored. Simon Francis’ sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Essential. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bewithrecords.com\/products\/kimiko-kasai-with-herbie-hancock-butterfly-lp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBe With Records\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReissues from Herbie Hancock's jazz-funk catalogue are always welcome, and few more so than Be With Records's vinyl-only edition of this long-neglected beauty. Recorded in Tokyo in 1979, it is comprised in the main of vocal versions of six Hancock originals and was singer Kimoko Kasai's fourth CBS-enabled collaboration with a leading US jazz musician—following Satin Doll with Gil Evans in 1972, In Person with Oliver Nelson in 1974 and Kimoko Is Here with Cedar Walton in 1975. The line-up includes Hancock on keyboards and synthesisers (and the era's signature vocoder), and the Headhunters's Bennie Maupin on saxophones, Paul Jackson on bass and Bill Summers on percussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eButterfly\u003c\/em\u003e was originally released in Japan only. In the less well-connected world of the late 1970s and early 1980s, this meant the album slipped unnoticed past most listeners in Europe and the US. But it is on radar now. And better late than never, for the performances are as classy as the set list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not revolutionary jazz-funk, as Hancock's own Head Hunters (CBS, 1973) was and Future Shock (CBS, 1983) would be. It is music with which to soothe a furrowed brow or two. There are elegant contributions from Hancock, Maupin on soprano and tenor saxophones and Webster Lewis on organ and acoustic piano. The trio float over sumptuous grooves laid down by Jackson, Summers, guitarist Ray Obiedo and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Along with the Hancock originals, some with lyrics written by Hancock's sister Jean, the album includes Stevie Wonder's \"As\" and Graselli \u0026amp; Malanet's \"Head In The Clouds.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is not one dud on the album. Highlights include the soulful title track and \"Sunlight,\" the ballads \"Maiden Voyage\" and \"Harvest Time,\" and Wonder's \"As.\" — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutjazz.com\/butterfly-kimoko-kasai-with-herbie-hancock-be-with-records-review-by-chris-may\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eAll About Jazz\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"600\" style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/2xbDI0ItU5LUmk2HvFKUcw?utm_source=generator\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVinyl tracklist:\u003cbr\u003eA1 I Thought It Was You \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock, J. Cohen, M. Ragin\u003cbr\u003eA2 Tell Me A Bedtime Story \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock, J. Hancock\u003cbr\u003eA3 Head In The Clouds \/\/ Written-By – D. Graselli, M. Malanet\u003cbr\u003eA4 Maiden Voyage \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock, J. Hancock\u003cbr\u003eB1 Harvest Time \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock, J. Hancock\u003cbr\u003eB2 Sunlight \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock\u003cbr\u003eB3 Butterfly \/\/ Written-By – H. Hancock, J. Burvick\u003cbr\u003eB4 As \/\/ Written-By – S. Wonder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Be With Records\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered\u003cbr\u003eReissued: 2018 \/ Original Release: 1979\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Jazz, Funk \/ Soul\u003cbr\u003eStyle: Soul-Jazz, Female Vocals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: TAV Essential Listening\u003cbr\u003eFile under:  Jazz \/\/ Japanese Jazz\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Be With Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41456570859678,"sku":"5050580687448","price":60.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/products\/0f2bbddc1dbcf15b24abcae65e2aef9c7ebafe0e.jpg?v=1646292375","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/products\/kimiko-kasai-herbie-hancock-butterfly","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}