Akira Otsuka - Upcoming New Release!

**AlanN** · Jan-10-2012, 5:40am

Very excited about this, 11 years! in the making, to be released on Tom Mindte's Patuxnet Records. In speaking with Akira, he says it should be available in 2-3 weeks and will feature the following: (what a lineup...)

Guitars: David Grier, Chris Stifel (Acoustic Outlet, Boney Fingers, Bill Emerson's Sweet Dixie band), Al Petteway, Bill Kirchen, Kenny Smith, Tony Rice, Phil Rosenthal
Banjos: Mike Munford, Eddie Adcock
Fiddles: Rickie Simpkins, Phil Bloch (Grazz Matazz), Janice Martin (check her out on Youtube with 'Janice Martin silk')
Bass: Johnny Castle (Second Generation, Bill Kirchen, Nighthawks), Jason Moore (Mt Heart), Fred Smith (Grazz Matazz), Tom Gary
Vocals: Josh Otsuka, Rick Watson, Chris Stifel

For me, he has been a huge influence over decades. He was a trendsetter back in the day as a young man, playing the bluegrass music with ahead-of-the-curve virtuosity, fire and creative ideas not seen then. And frankly, he showed lots of guts to break into the U.S. as a Japanese mandolin picker. Outside of the classical realm and Dave Apollon, I can't think of another foreign-born picker who has made such a name for himself. And am proud to say I have all of the Bluegrass 45 records (including the first - with Take 5), the Grazz Matazz, as well as numerous records he guested on - Bill Rouse, Cliff Waldron, Fred Geiger, others. And am shamed to say I *still* can't pick Delinquent Minor like it should be...

**mandopete** · Jan-10-2012, 9:37am

Coolness!

Hey Alan - Akira is going to be at Wintergrass this year with Bluegrass 45. You oughta come out. We planning a mando session for Saturday night as well.

**AlanN** · Jan-10-2012, 10:09am

That sounds like a good time to be had, Pete. Maybe he'll have The Duck with him. Quack, quack.

**Justus True Waldron** · Jan-11-2012, 12:57am

Go Tom Mindte & Patuxent! Oh and Akira too! I'll be honest, being a young guy I never really heard much of him before... but I watched his youtube videos talking about his mandolins the other day, and I like his style and tone, very clean... I'm excited to hear this!

**swampstomper** · Jan-11-2012, 6:57am

Bill Kirchen of Commander Cody? The man who can imitate any rock guitarist? The amazing live entertainer? I'm curious to see how he and "Sleepy Eyed John" (yes, I saw BF45 on their first US visit) make music. Also agree that Patuxent Records does some nice projects (I listen to the Joe Meadows fiddle album, also with Mike Mumford, quite a bit). Akira has done some amazing work on record, check out the Jimmy Arnold projects ("M Street Rag"). Should be a good listen.

**mandopete** · Jan-11-2012, 9:29am

Yeah, I thought the pairing with Bill Kirchen would be interesting as well. Maybe they jam on Hot Rod Lincoln!

**AlanN** · Jan-30-2012, 10:35am

Have given this a solid listen and all I can say is Wow!

11 years in the making, it has it all: solo mandolin pieces, some funk, some hard-core grass, some swing, vocal numbers and a bit more, all delivered in a professional and very musical manner. Akira has produced a recording which showcases his stylistic breadth and wide-open ears. Surrounded by superb players – David Grier, Chris Stifel, Mike Munford, Bill Kirchen, Fred Smith, Kenny Smith, Rickie Simpkins and many others, the recording is full of original mandolin tunes and numbers penned by some of the contributing artists. I especially like Node 18 Conversion and Line Drive, simply for the clean, hard driving groove the band gets. Homage is paid to his ‘J’ heroes: John (Duffey) and Jethro, in both his soloing and groove selection. Heartaches is given the Duffey treatment in a live performance, featuring Eddie Adcock and Tony Rice. The tune Evanston Slide sounds like it could have come out of Jethro’s Mandolin Player book; it was penned by Akira, and captures the Legendary One’s playfulness and virtuosity most perfectly.

The CD packaging is very hip and it looks like he used both Duffey’s old F-12 and The Duck in the recording process. Sam Bush writes the heartfelt liner notes and clearly praises Akira’s talent and creativity, going back decades now. Available on http://www.cdbaby.com/
and via http://www.patuxentmusic.com/

Grab a copy!