Samurai - Kappa (1971) [Japanese Ed. 1998 + 2007]

Samurai - a Japanese group led by vocalist/flautist Miki Curtis. They went to Europe in late 1967, picking up some European members and thus becoming half-Japanese. In London they recorded a single and their debut album, the double-LP ‘Samurai / Kappa’ a.k.a. ‘Miki Curtis & Samurai / Green Tea’ [German Metronome, 1970], as well as a single only released in Italy. They should not be confused with the UK group of the same name, who released a self-titled LP on Greenwich in 1971.

This was not the British band with Dave Lawson, but a Japanese one. They moved to Britain in the late 60's, and got a contract with Philips. They were also joined by several British members and released a couple of albums. "Kappa" from 1971 reveals a band in the heavy-progressive vein and with a thing for lengthy jams and improvisations. This is especially apparent on the instrumental 22-minute "King Riff and Snow Flakes" that takes up the whole of side 2. Heavy guitar and organ dominates the sound, and literally every musician in the group is allowed to stretch out. The first side is a lot more structured and song-oriented, although the 10-minute opener "Trauma" also features lengthy improvisations. "Same Old Reason" is a strong tune with harpsichord and nice themes. The ballad "Daredatta" is sung in Japanese and dominated by the flute of Miki Curtis. "Vision of Tomorrow" is a straightforward and traditional 70's hard rock song. Overall, quite solid and enjoyable stuff if you're into early 70's heavy progressive rock with lengthy solos and instrumental passages.








Track Listing

01. Trauma (10:18)
02. Same Old Reason (2:49)
03. Daredatta (3:38)
04. Vision Of Tomorrow (3:52)
05. King Riff And Snow Flakes (22:28)



Many thanks to the original uploader: uta5erika5






Track Listing

01. Trauma (10:17)
02. Same Old Reason (2:49)
03. Daredatta (3:38)
04. Vision Of Tomorrow (3:50)
05. King Riff And Snow Flakes (22:22)



Many thanks to the original uploader: havefun6699

Produced by Miki Curtis & Samurai

The Band

• Miki Curtis: Vocals, Flute
• Joe Dunnet: Guitar
• Yamauchi Tetsuo: Bass
• Harada Yuji (later-Far East Family Band): Drums
• John Redfern: Organ
• Hiro Izumi: Guitar, Koto
• Mike Walker: Vocals, Piano
• Graham Smith: Harmonica