LIVE REVIEW: Masayoshi Takanaka Brixton 02 Academy 31.3.26

From bargain bucket to global renascence Masayoshi Takanaka return to the UK shores might be 50 years in the making but with 2 sold out shows at famed Brixton 02 Academy there’s a distinct buzz of activity around the venue prior to the show, everyone eagerly anticipating an appearance of a surfboard guitar.

Takanaka’s history hasn’t always been as high profile. Born in Tokyo in 1953, he began his professional career in 1971 playing guitar and bass guitar in prog rock band Flied Egg, later joining Sadistic Mika Band as guitarist. 1976 saw him release his first solo album Seychelles, from then on he’s gone on to release some of the best loved jazz records from Capital of the East with Rainbow Goblins being a firm fan favourite. Collaborations have seen him matched with Lee Ritenour Santana, Narada Michael Walden plus Sheila E. A resurgence in the mid 2010’s came via a social media presence, with a video showing him playing in a gorgeous blue sea saw mass streaming.

Back to tonight in Little Jamaica the time before stage time is met with a number of loud whoops and salutations from the packed out audience, when the lights dims and his band file onto stage an almighty roar is then reserved for Takanaka as he strides on stage dressed in his signature red suit with black bow tie, guitar in hand, ready to serenade the crowd with set opener Blue Lagoon. It’s quick to spot his stunning playing will be cheered from the rafters by everyone, all in attendance want him to know just how much he is adored on these shores.

His band comprising Nobu Saito percussion, Akira Okazawa bass, Masahiro Miyazaki drums, Kaoru Inoue keyboards, Rina Takamoto keyboards, and chorus group AMAZONS aka Kumi Saito, Tomoko Yoshikawa are also a delight to behold, each getting their chance to shine, Takanaka pleased to show off his band mates whilst he takes a breather on a large onstage sofa, AMAZONS warm up the crowd with their Supremes like dance routines, buts it’s the frontman everyone is here to see. His playing is aka Santana, with flourishes of raw Jimmy Page with a dollop of exquisite Earl Klugh, all mixed together for some arresting showmanship on the likes of Tokyo Reggie, Shake It, Taj Mahal, Kurofune (Kaei 6-nen 6-gatsu 4-ka) plus the curtain call of Jumping Take Off with the famed surfboard guitar getting an outing before the final blissed out You Can Never Come To This Place leaves the throngs to drift out into the night waxing lyrical about a memorable night in the big black smoke watching a jazz, funk, rock master.

Masayoshi Takanaka can be found here