Customer Reviews

Odori

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Where can this CD be bought? Since this CD pretty well defined the sound of Hiroshima at its inception, it's a shame that it can't be purchased. Every jazz group has always had a defining recording that makes it stand out from the mainstream and I believe this CD will always have a place in most smooth jazz fan's CD libraries. This combination of japanese instruments with jazz/pop sound is unique and refreshing regardless of how aged the recording!!

This is the album that introduced me to the wonderful, exotic and breathtaking music of Hiroshima. When I heard this album in 1980, I had to buy it. The track 'warriors' was played to death. Infact, I have two copies on vinyl, because the first copy was always being played on the turntable. I became a big fan after this encounter, and have all their albums to date. If you buy this album, you will be one of the very few people on the planet to own a rare gem.

It was 1981 and I was a mere teenager, 16 years old to be exact, surrounded by much older siblings..and thank goodness for that..because I was exposed to some great, great music! When my oldest sister played this album at a family gathering, I was immediately smitten, so much so, I took money from college savings and bought this album. So when it was re-issued on CD, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I ordered it as import and have been playing it ever since! The title cut is so delicious to the ear, it just jumps out and grab ya!

The entire project has something for everyone..it crosses the board! But my favorite cuts are the sublime, smooth, mellow "Shinto" and the enriched, elevated vocals of "All I want." When most of my teen friends were listening to "pop" flavored and watered down "R&B" music, I was grooving to the sounds of this album! There were those that didn't get it...and I felt sorry for them then, and I still offer my sympathies if after all these years, they haven't caught on to this bowlful of bountiful bliss! Treat yourself to some classic Hiroshima...

THE OTHER REVIEWERS PRETTY MUCH NAILED THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS OUTSTANDING RECORDING. I BOUGHT THE VINYL ORIGINALLY WHEN IT WAS RELEASED (80-81) BACK IN MY MARINE CORPS DAYS. FOLKS USED TO COME TO MY HOUSE TO LISTEN TO IT ALL THE TIME. ODORI WAS MY FIRST HIROSHIMA ALBUM, I BOUGHT THE DEBUT ALBUM ABOUT A YEAR LATER, AND WAS EQUALLY FASCINATED WITH IT TOO (DEBUT ALBUM WAS SELF-TITLED HIROSHIMA, HIT CUT WAS DA-DA AND HOLIDAYS). THE GROUP MADE SOME PERSONNEL CHANGES THAT AFFECTED THEIR SOUND IN THE LATE 80'S EARLY NINETIES, BUT FROM THEIR INCEPTION TO ABOUT 1989, THEY WERE NEAR-PERFECT. THIS ALBUM REPRESENTS SOME OF THE MEAT OF THAT NEAR-PERFECTION.

Oddly enough, I too own 2 lp copies of this awesome Hiroshima 1980 release like the reviewer from London, England...One copy is in mint condition and the other is so-so...It's this type of musical artistry that makes owning a turntable in this day and age fun ! Odori presented a wonderful fusion of a bit of R&B/Funk (Cruisin' J -Town), pop-jazz, and some traditional sounding Japanese grooves as well. The dramatically-powerful Winds of Change is a great instrumental to behold along with some vocals ! This is one of Hiroshima's more accessible adult pop flavored sounding projects. It has, even now in the new millenium, a fresh sound...

"Odori" was my first exposure to Hiroshima. This album has been with my spirit for many years. You can tell these are quality and very talented musicians with thier use of an eclectic mixture of electronics and instruments."All I Want" and "Warrior" are my favorite cuts on this album. this album is a classic.

Hiroshima was certainly one of the most dynamic and fresh sounds of its time. And what is amazing is how good this music is so many years later. I do believe that the quality of their music was due to the piano player, Richard Matthews, whose raw musical talent was never truly acknowledged. (Listen to Winds of Change) After his unfortunate suicide during their third release, the band's music never really recovered nor showed the depth that reflects on this collection. This CD is one to savor.

I first heard this album as a child when my mother used to play the LP. Many of the songs are still pretty fresh in my mind, but my favorite is the beautiful title track, Odori. I wish new copies were readily available because I want to get the CD, so hopefully this will get reissued some day. If you ever see this CD anywhere, be sure to buy it, because you'll probably never see it again!

This record is an exceptional entry in Hiroshima's catalog...having every album i notice the varying changes, but also notice that they remained true to the promise that their music would be different all the time...it certainly is. This is their "Best" early record. Check this out if you are a big fan of Smooth Jazz. Those looking for the CD...Do NOT buy it from Amazon Marketplace. Get it from Razorandtie.com It costs 11.98 there! Enjoy!!!

I too was introduced as a teenager to the music of Hiroshima by my older brother back in the early 80's and had been looking for this CD online. I bought a used one online 2 yrs ago only for it never to arrive. Hope whomever ended up with it became a big Hiroshima fan.
For those looking for Odori, check out Hiroshima's Ongaku CD which has both the self-titled Hiroshima and Odori albums on one CD at a good used price. Mine just arrived today from a used source through Amazon and I am now blissfully happy listening to it at this moment. No more listening to the old audio cassette transferred from the vinyl album that I made decades ago.