YAMAMOTO, KYOJI horizon SM25-5052

Expanding the Horizon: Kyoji Yamamoto’s Debut Solo Album (SM25-5052)

Let’s explore the debut solo album from legendary Japanese guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto, best known for his groundbreaking work with Bow Wow and Vow Wow. This is “Horizon,” released on SMS Records with the catalog number SM25-5052. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

Issued on May 25, 1980, this 9-track, 12-inch vinyl LP marked Yamamoto’s first full-length step outside of his band Bow Wow. Produced by Yamamoto alongside Yoshimi Ueno and Yoshinori Igishi, “Horizon” arrived during a period when Bow Wow might have been exploring different musical directions, offering Yamamoto a chance to pursue his own musicality and potentially vent some creative frustrations.

The album showcases Yamamoto’s versatility, moving beyond straightforward hard rock into areas of progressive rock and crossover styles. It features a dynamic mix of instrumental tracks and songs with vocals (some featuring English lyrics by Judy Anton). Yamamoto handles guitar, keyboards, and some vocals himself, backed by the high class rhythm section of Naoki Watanabe (bass) and Atsuo Okamoto (drums), with Maki Tashiro adding further keyboard textures.

Noted for its particularly raw and direct guitar sound – perhaps the most “live” sounding of Yamamoto’s career – the album focuses less on flashy tricks and more on solid, foundational guitar technique and emotive playing. Tracks like “Solid Movement,” “Mars,” “Crush The Rock,” and the title track highlight his expressive guitar work and compositional range outside the constraints of his main band.

SM25-5052 is a crucial document for understanding the full scope of Kyoji Yamamoto’s musical vision early in his career. It captures his virtuosity, compositional ambition, and desire to explore different sonic territories, backed by exceptional musicians. It’s an essential listen for fans of his work and Japanese rock history.