T. Yokota & The Beat Generation - Flute Adventure

1971 Japan

June 1, 2007

I first heard about this Japanese album nearly 20 years ago, from a rarities catalog, that stated it was similar to Yatha Sidhra’s “Meditation Mass” or maybe like something from the Ohr label. Well that certainly grabbed my attention! Except I never saw it listed again. Anywhere. Ever. I began to doubt its existence after while, since no one even knew what it was. So you can imagine my shock when I found out that “Flute Adventure” was not only out on CD, but a legitimate press on one of Japan’s major labels: King Records. Now for those paying close attention, it should come as no surprise the fact that Yokota would have an underground/experimental release. Considering he was the resident flautist with the real deal crowd of the Japanese freak rock scene. Namely Love, Live, Life + 1. And his appearance on the subsequent solo albums of LLL+1 nut jobs like Kimio Mizutani and Hiro Yanagida. “Flute Adventure” is exactly as touted – a mix of flute based underground acid psych and ethnic woodwind journeys drizzled with a dash of cocktail lounge. So, yes, a little Yatha Sidhra, a little Bjorn J:Son Lindh, some Jeremy Steig, even a smattering of Herbie Mann – all through the Ohr label aesthetic of someone like Annexus Quam. And it’s a full band effort, with plenty of fuzz guitar and tribal percussion. Essential for the freakshow hidden within you.

See more reviews here