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— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

Orginally intended as a Japan-only release in 1979, this beautiful album initially went unnoticed outside the county - until word of mouth justifiably made Butterfly one of the most coveted rarities in the world in subsequent decades. Fortunately Kimiko Kasai's legendary collaboration with Herble Hancock was reissued by Be With Records in 2018, ensuring this LP receives the wider recognition it deserves. 

Recorded in Tokyo, Butterfly showcases the lauded Japanese chanteuse leading six vocal versions of the jazz-funk pioneer's compositions, punctuated by highlights such as a heavenly cover of Stevie Wonder's "As". Featuring drummer Alphonse Mouzon, organist Webster Lewis and guitarist Ray Obiedo - alongside the Headhunters Bennie Maupin on saxophones, Paul Jackson on bass, Bill Summers on peroussion, and Hancock himself on keyboards, synthesiser and vocoder - Butterfly is a classy subliminal listen. — The Analog Vault

First ever official reissue of the positively sublime and very rare Butterfly LP, recorded in Tokyo in 1979 by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock.

Due to its super-rare status as a Japan-only release, this exquisite collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time, despite incredibly inspired performances from Kimiko, Herbie and the supremely talented musicians assembled for the project. From heavenly drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis to bassist Paul Jackson, reedman Bennie Maupin and the master percussionist Bill Summers, the legendary performers crafted amazingly good vocal versions of Herbie / Headhunters jazz-funk. Unsurprisingly, it has been heavily in demand for many years.

The LP opens with Kimiko’s highly desirable version of “I Thought It Was You”, an elegant take on Herbie’s own anthem. Other superb re-workings include the delicately soulful “Butterfly”, jazzy groover “Sunlight”, the smooth and sexy “Tell Me A Bedtime Story” and the beautiful ballads “Maiden Voyage” and “Harvest Time”. A wonderful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn’t be missed, the set closes with a jaw-dropping version of Stevie Wonder’s “As”.

This lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of this hitherto unavailable masterpiece. The stunning artwork which adorned the original jacket - complete with OBI strip and sumptuous 4 page folded insert - has been faithfully restored. Simon Francis’ sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Essential. — (via Be With Records)

Reissues from Herbie Hancock's jazz-funk catalogue are always welcome, and few more so than Be With Records's vinyl-only edition of this long-neglected beauty. Recorded in Tokyo in 1979, it is comprised in the main of vocal versions of six Hancock originals and was singer Kimoko Kasai's fourth CBS-enabled collaboration with a leading US jazz musician—following Satin Doll with Gil Evans in 1972, In Person with Oliver Nelson in 1974 and Kimoko Is Here with Cedar Walton in 1975. The line-up includes Hancock on keyboards and synthesisers (and the era's signature vocoder), and the Headhunters's Bennie Maupin on saxophones, Paul Jackson on bass and Bill Summers on percussion.

Butterfly was originally released in Japan only. In the less well-connected world of the late 1970s and early 1980s, this meant the album slipped unnoticed past most listeners in Europe and the US. But it is on radar now. And better late than never, for the performances are as classy as the set list.

This is not revolutionary jazz-funk, as Hancock's own Head Hunters (CBS, 1973) was and Future Shock (CBS, 1983) would be. It is music with which to soothe a furrowed brow or two. There are elegant contributions from Hancock, Maupin on soprano and tenor saxophones and Webster Lewis on organ and acoustic piano. The trio float over sumptuous grooves laid down by Jackson, Summers, guitarist Ray Obiedo and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Along with the Hancock originals, some with lyrics written by Hancock's sister Jean, the album includes Stevie Wonder's "As" and Graselli & Malanet's "Head In The Clouds."

There is not one dud on the album. Highlights include the soulful title track and "Sunlight," the ballads "Maiden Voyage" and "Harvest Time," and Wonder's "As." — (via All About Jazz)

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Label: Be With Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered
Country: UK
Reissued: 2018 / Original Release: 1979
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz

File under:  Jazz // Soul-Jazz / Jazz-Funk

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