GEORGE MURASAKI OKINAWA AND OOI MANABU endou no hana KV-3024

A truly fascinating and unique release from the career of George Murasaki is the focus for this entry. Murasaki, celebrated as the keyboardist and leader of the pioneering Okinawan hard rock band Murasaki, explores a completely different musical territory on this 7-inch single. We are looking at “Endou no Hana,” released on the Victor label with the catalog number KV-3024. This specific copy is a promotional sample pressing with white labels.

This single is not hard rock, but rather a project showcasing Okinawan traditional music. Both tracks are classic songs originally composed by the famed Okinawan composer Chōhō Miyara, and are given new, rich arrangements by George Murasaki himself, performed by his group “Okinawa.” The vocals for both songs are provided by Manabu Ooi.

The single features two tracks:
A: Endou no Hana
B: Tomaribune

KV-3024 stands as a very special item for collectors, documenting the deep Okinawan musical roots of a hard rock legend. It shows his versatility as a musician and arranger far beyond the confines of the heavy rock genre.