MURASAKI murasaki BMC-3004
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Artist = MURASAKI
Title = murasaki
Label = BOURBON
Catalog# = BMC-3004
Barcode = none
Release = JAPAN
Year = 1975
RPM = 33rpm
Disc Size = 12"
Number of Discs = 1
Mono/Stereo = stereo
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The Okinawan Dawn: Murasaki’s Landmark Self-Titled Debut (BMC-3004)
Today’s entry travels back to the foundational era of Japanese hard rock, focusing on the highly influential self-titled debut album by the Okinawan band Murasaki (紫). Released on April 1, 1976, by Bourbon Records (Tokuma Musical Industries), this 12-inch vinyl LP carries the catalog number BMC-3004.
Recorded in late 1975 at Tokyo’s Mouri Studio, this album represents the powerful emergence of Murasaki from the unique Okinawan rock scene. Heavily influenced by British hard rock giants like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, Murasaki forged a potent sound characterized by the dynamic interplay between heavy guitar riffs (handled here by Kiyomasa Higa and Yukio Shimoji) and the virtuosic keyboard work of band leader George Murasaki.
Produced by George Murasaki himself, the album features strong English-language vocals, reflecting the band’s origins playing for US military audiences, alongside the powerful rhythm section of Toshio Shiroma (bass) and Eiichi Miyanaga (drums). Tracks like “Double Dealing Woman,” “Devil Woman,” and the epic “Maze” showcase their signature style, while their powerful rendition of Deep Purple’s “Lazy” explicitly acknowledges their influences.
BMC-3004 is more than just a debut; it’s a cornerstone of Japanese hard rock history. It introduced the exceptional talent brewing in Okinawa to the wider nation and remains an essential document of the genre’s early development, showcasing Murasaki’s pioneering blend of heaviness, melody, and instrumental prowess.