{"product_id":"masabumi-kikuchi-quintet-end-for-the-beginning-japanese-import","title":"Masabumi Kikuchi Quintet - End For the Beginning [Japanese Import]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn this recording, one can hear both resolve and farewell. Just before departing for the United States, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMasabumi Kikuchi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e pours himself into these now-legendary compositions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGifted with a singular artistic voice and a keen sense of his time, Masabumi Kikuchi established himself as a pianist of international stature. In 1973, he relocated his base of operations to New York. Recorded immediately before that move, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnd For The Beginning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e captures a studio live performance held in front of invited fans, documenting a pivotal moment in his career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring this period, Kikuchi was exploring innovative sounds through the use of electric instruments and unconventional ensembles. Yet on this album, he returned to a more traditional format: a two-horn frontline backed by a piano trio. The program consists entirely of five original compositions by Kikuchi himself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe determination surrounding his imminent departure fuels the music's intensity, while the sense of farewell evokes a distinctly Japanese emotional depth. Masterpieces such as “\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShuuu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e”, “\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGinKai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e”, and “\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreen Dance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e” emerge like waves from beyond an atmosphere charged with tension and anticipation. Each performance unfolds with remarkable focus, lyricism, and power.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA work of striking conviction and emotional resonance, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnd For The Beginning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e stands as one of the defining achievements of Kikuchi's career and a fitting summation of his artistic vision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eText by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS \/ DEEP JAZZ REALITY)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl LP","offer_id":59937543455065,"sku":"SDZ-54748","price":59.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/369_20261012_1132_103446_152_p_500_Masabumi_Kikuchi_Quintet_End_For_The_Beginning_PROT-7934_cover_art_obi_A_004.jpg?v=1792153257","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/masabumi-kikuchi-quintet-end-for-the-beginning-japanese-import","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}