Born in 1953 in Shibuya, Tokyo, and celebrating his birthday today, Kazumi Watanabe is a city-style guitarist who, during his high school years, was upperclassman to Fuyuki Moto (who reportedly influenced his musical development).
As Watanabe's fourth release as a bandleader, Milky Shade was his first album under the quartet format, after previously performing in quintet lineups. For this 1976 release, he welcomed Czech-born bassist George Mraz, known for his time as a regular member of groups led by Oscar Peterson and Tommy Flanagan, and also known for his love of Japan. Additionally, the quartet included Fumio Karashima and Motohiko Hino.
The album features original compositions by Watanabe, including the later-reprised "Mirrors" (B1) and the title track, both excellent pieces. This was also the first time Watanabe used his trademark Alembic solid-body guitar in a recording. Karashima played electric piano throughout the entire album. The sound hints at the crossover direction that would come to define Watanabe's later works, such as "Olive's Step" (1977) and his activities with the KYLYN band.
1953年東京都渋谷区生まれで
本日が誕生日。高校時代はモト冬樹のハイコー(実際音楽の影響を受けたそう)だったりするシティー派ギタリスト、
渡辺香津美のリーダー作としては通算4枚目で本作まではクインテット編成でしたが、オスカー・ピーターソンや
トミフラのグループにレギュラーメンバーとして在籍した経歴を持ち、親日家としても知られたチェコ出身ベーシスト、ジョージ・ムラーツを迎え辛島文雄、日野元彦のカルテット名義では初となる76年リリース作「ミルキー・シェイド」
全曲香津美氏のオリジナルで、後に再演されるB1「ミラーズ」やタイトル曲等好曲を収録！
トレードマークとも言えるアレンビック製のソリッド・ギターを録音で使用したのは本作が初で、辛島は全編でエレピを演奏。以降のアルバム
「Olive's Step」('77)やKYLYNでの活動で志向してゆくクロスオーバー路線を予感させるサウンドでス。
