Taj Mahal Travellers
Tokyo, 1977

Takehisa Kosugi � electric violin, harmonica, voice, etc.
Ryo Koike � electric double bass, santur, voice, etc.
Yukio Tsuchya � tuba, percussion, etc.
Seiji Nagai � trumpet, mini-Korg synthesizer, tympani, etc.
Michihiro Kimura � mandolin, percussion, voice, etc.
Tokio Hasegawa � percussion, voice, etc.
Kinji Hayashi � electronic technique

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02
TT: 93 min

Unknown source >> trade cd >> EAC (wav) > TLH (flac)

Formed in 1969 by "six meta-music creators & one electronic engineer",
this group created stunning cosmic music which was always entirely improvised.
The ensemble regularly played throughout Japan and was best known for events
such as playing all day at a beach in Kanagawa. In 1971, they made their first
tour of Europe, meeting up with Don Cherry, among others. The following year,
they returned, but with a twist. From Rotterdam, they drove an old Volkswaggon
bus all the way to Pakistan, picking up santoor [a type of dulcimer instrument]
on the way in Iran. Finding the border between Pakistan and India closed, they
sold the bus and flew to India - finally travelling to the Taj Mahal. Upon
their return to Japan, they played a benefit concert on July 15, 1972,
to help pay for their return to the U.K. This concert was recorded and issued
as the first of their two LPs. Though playing for television and radio many times,
both in Japan and Europe, and playing many concert and festivals, their
next record did not come until 1975. Recorded in August of 1974, this
would prove to be the last official release by the group, which started
to come apart later in 1975. After the group disbanded, almost all of the
members stopped their involvement with music and disappeared. The notable
exception was Takehisa Kosugi, who continues to be active to this day.
Also, in recent years, the youngest member of the group, Seiji Nagai
has returned from India and become active with electronic music again.
In addition to these core members, the group was joined by occasional
guests such as Hirokazu Sato and Kazuo Imai.