REVIEW: Miyasaka + 5 - Animals Garden album review

Released originally back in 1979 Animals Garden has been steeped in legendary status for the exquisite music on show but also for the hike in prices people have been paying to try and grab a piece of the action.

Recorded by drumming band leader Takashi ‘Bear’ Miyasaka including Hiroshi Itaya on trombone, Tsgaki Hiomichi on piano, Genji Sawai on oprano and tenor and Koiche Matsukaze on alto and tenor, the aforementioned produce visionary results. The 4 tracks featured go over the 10 minute mark but this doesn’t send the listener to sleep, rather the collection on show drifts into the realms of jazz heaven. The title track is full of twists and turns that surprise and fill the listener with thrills, dips and highs that identify as a cousin to another jazz great My favourite Things by John Coltrane.

There are similar delights on the rest of the tracks. Ballard of Mammoth slops forward producing a spectacular attractive jazz tune, Dog’s Dance might be better rebranded as dogs shuffle with the pace of the first 2 numbers being brought down a peg or two as a more mature sounds breaks forth. The last track Pecker’s Blues bring the pace down to an even keel similar to Bobby Hutcherson’s Procession, slow and meaningful, the sort of music to fill the air on a quiet night in, watching the stars form in the nights sky.

BBE Records have yet again released a marvellous archive find, available via vinyl, CD and download, the record is a fantastic jazz album to rival any on the market.

Animals Garden is available to purchase via the BBE Records site