{"product_id":"masaru-imada-trio-green-caterpillar","title":"Masaru Imada Trio – Green Caterpillar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e— The Analog Vault \/\/ Essential Listening —\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eRecorded in 1975 for the legendary Three Blind Mice label, \u003cem\u003eGreen Caterpillar\u003c\/em\u003e captures pianist Masaru \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eImada\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e in peak form, balancing lyrical touch with deep rhythmic drive. Backed by a responsive trio, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eImada\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e moves effortlessly between modal exploration and swinging post-bop, with compositions that feel both relaxed and purposeful. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eThe album’s warm, intimate sound reflects Three Blind Mice’s audiophile ethos, allowing piano, bass, and drums to breathe naturally within the mix. Tracks like “Green Caterpillar” and “Straight Flash” highlight \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eImada’s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e melodic clarity and subtle harmonic shifts. Long prized by collectors, Green Caterpillar remains a cornerstone of Japanese jazz, celebrated for its musicality, balance, and timeless recording quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eThe Analog Vault\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e- Cult jazz-funk masterpiece from the Three Blind Mice catalogue.\u003cbr\u003e- Limited edition remastered reissue from the Three Blind Mice Premium Reissue Collection.\u003cbr\u003e- 180g Japanese pressing with original obi strip and faithfully reproduced artwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—\u003cbr\u003ePianist Imada Masaru was 42 years old when he recorded this album in 1975. His adventurous spirit led him to use the electric piano for the first time in a recording, and thanks to his musicianship, he made it sound like he'd been playing the instrument for years. The program opens with the title track, a sophisticated urban funk. Guitarist Kazumi Watanabe plays a big role here. It is followed by a more intricate, fusion-like \"Straight Flash.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe all-original-composition program switches gear on Side B, with Imada playing acoustic piano. \"Blue Impulse\" is a Tristano-esque blues that, at the beginning, doesn't sound like a blues until it gets going at around the three minute mark. Perhaps the highlight of the album, \"Spanish Flower\" has Imada and company exploring the passionate Spanish mood, with some Japanese\/oriental elements mixed in, in 6\/8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by Takeshi Fujii. Recorded at Aoi Studio, Tokyo, on January 20 and 22, 1975, by Yoshihiko Kannari. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.soundohm.com\/product\/green-caterpillar-lp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSoundOhm\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGreen Caterpillar \u003c\/em\u003eis a standout work from pianist Masaru Imada, blending sophisticated jazz harmony with deep funk grooves and urban flair. Recorded with a powerful expanded lineup, the album showcases Imada’s sharp compositional sense alongside tight ensemble interplay and expressive soloing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title track delivers a hypnotic, groove-driven performance, while pieces like “Straight Flash” and “Blue Impulse” highlight the group’s rhythmic intensity and dynamic range. The lyrical “Spanish Flower” closes the album with warmth and emotional depth, making this release a favorite among collectors of Japanese jazz-funk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis premium reissue is remastered and cut in Japan, pressed on heavyweight vinyl, and presented with original obi and inserts, offering an authentic listening experience that honors the legacy of the Three Blind Mice label. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzmessengers.com\/en\/107918\/masaru-imada\/green-caterpillar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eJazz Messengers\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AcBlStgERvw?si=1eWaKdJmNxaMmFj7\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVinyl tracklist:\u003cbr\u003eA1 Green Caterpillar \/\/ Written by Masaru Imada\u003cbr\u003eA2 Straight Flash \/\/ Written by Masaru Imada\u003cbr\u003eB1 Blue Impulse \/\/ Written by Masaru Imada\u003cbr\u003eB2 Spanish Flower \/\/ Written by Masaru Imada\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Three Blind Mice \u003cbr\u003eFormat: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo\u003cbr\u003eReissued: 2025 \/ Original: 1975\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Jazz\u003cbr\u003eStyle: Jazz-Funk, Japanese Jazz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: TAV Essential Listening\u003cbr\u003eFile under: Japanese Jazz \/\/ Three Blind Mice\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf2\"\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Blind Mice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46410153394334,"sku":"4547366725056","price":70.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/files\/a_d7837c21-6070-4153-8ed5-89e7e83f5731.jpg?v=1768643011","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/products\/masaru-imada-trio-green-caterpillar","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}