KAZUMI WATANABE, HUGE FLYING IN 1980

TOCHIKA (1980) is apparently Kazumi Watanabe’s epoch making steps to the world.

Mike Mainieri, Marcus Miller, Tony Levin, Peter Erskine, Steve Jordan, Michel Brecker and others.

Just privately talking, I like Peter Erskine more in drums. (maybe Peter is more jazz oriented).

Furthermore, again privately, I like Omar Hakim who joined in TOCHIKA Japan tour.

with Mike Mainieri, Warren Bernherdt, Marcus Miller and Omar Hakim.

Omar Hakim was introduced by Marcus Miller to Mike Mainieri, of course before he joined Weather Report !!

(for reference, the same members were gathered again in 2010 as reunion after 30 years at Tokyo Jazz 2010.)

Then, the next was STEPS, SMOKING IN THE PIT (1980). Even though Kazumi joined it as a special guest, however, clearly one of a key member (all persons were the KEY!!).

The important point is that it was recorded by Japanese label, BETTER DAYS. The key person has coordinated from TOCHIKA- TOCHIKA Japan Tour- STEPS SMOKING IN THE PIT !!!