Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo - Uganda (1972)
Artist : Akkira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo
Album: Uganda - Afurikan Rokku No Yoake
Released : 1972/2008
Label: Tiliqua (TILAR5012)
Genre : Psychedelic Rock
The start of a new series focusing on lost and obscure sonic
treasures birthed out of the underbelly of Japan's New Rock
revolution during the period 1969~1978 is spearheaded by the
long announced reissue of one of the rarest discs to seep out
of that seedy incestuous scene.
Ishikawa Akira & Count Buffalo's Uganda -- Afurikan Rokku no
Yoake originally saw the light of day on February 5th, 1972 on
Toshiba Records as part of their 4 Channel Q.M. Sound series
but quickly sank into the depths obscurity, making that only a
handful of copies were actually sold while the remaining stock
was withdrawn due to very depressing sales and eventually
melted down and destroyed. The disc remained a well kept
secret for all these years and only a small circle of die-hard
music lovers have ever seen an actual original copy, making it
these days one of the most treasured and hunted down Japanese
rock artifacts.
A couple of years ago a bootleg LP edition of the LP came out,
sadly sounding quite mediocre but nevertheless rejuvenating a
new awareness for the album. Still rumors as to who were the
actual performers on the album floated around freely since the
group was simply listed as Count Buffalo with no detailed
breakdown of who actually played on the album, and as a result
there has been much fevered speculation over the years.
Therefore, Tiliqua Records thought it wise to release this
sonic gem properly, hunt down the lisence, unraveled the legal
entanglements, acquired access to the original mastertapes and
subsequently also taking on the quest to track down the actual
players involved. So now, with this fully authorized reissue
we can finally reveal the full line-up or the key players
involved and add some insight into the record's background
thanks to the kind participation of Uganda's composer Mr.
Muraoka Takeru.
Musically speaking, Ishikawa Akira & Count Buffalo's Uganda --
Afurikan Rokku no Yoake is vicious psychedelic whirlwind
monster of a disc where primitive Afro-spiritual and tribal
ethnic percussive blow-outs cross-pollinate with lysergic New
Rock fuzz-a-delic dementia and stirring up enough dust and
boulders like two-barreled guns coming out of the demon hole.
Still, Uganda is more than just that and although it is
deceptively intense, it is simultaneously casual in feel yet
meticulous in its musical detail and lyrical economy. And seen
in retrospect I can now proclaim that this album stands
shoulder to shoulder with the best records of that golden era
and it was one of Japan 's 1970s underground scene's defining
moments. In short it is a totally lethal slide that does not
fail to create an arresting listening experience.
As is the case with all of Tiliqua Record's releases, this one
is also crafted out with meticulous care and eye for detail.
The CD comes housed in a miniature version of the actual slim
cased LP box set, complete with obi and extensive 8-paged
Japanese/ English liner notes, illustrated with some archival
footage. One time only very limited press, housed in a sturdy
hard card mini-LP styled slim box set styled gatefold jacket.
Digitally remastered from the original master tapes and graced
with faithfully reproduced artwork (although slightly adapted
for the single CD box set version) and obi. One time limited
press due to the nature of the box set jacket. (tiliqua-records.com)
Tracklist:
1. Wanyama Na Mapambazuko [11:42]
2. Na Tu Penda Sana [09:23]
3. Vita [07:43]
4. Pigmy [07:46]