Kitaro - Ten Kai (aka Astral Trip/Astral Voyage) (1978)

Debut album by Masanori "Kitarō" Takahashi, who would go on to become a global new age/world music superstar.  The former member of Far East Family Band started his lengthy solo discography with the 1977-78 recording of Ten Kai, blending electronic prog with Japanese instruments, sitar and percussion.  Other than the sitar, biwa and shakuhachi performed by guest musicians, everything is played by Kitaro: acoustic guitar, bass, percussion, Moog and other synths, koto and mandolin.

The tracks on Ten Kai/Astral Trip (later reissued by Geffen as Astral Voyage) are mostly segued, making for an immersive suite evocative of seas and stars.  I think I was expecting more full-on electronica, possibly having read a lazy description of Kitaro at this stage as a "Japanese Vangelis", but the synths are mostly used sparingly, and to great effect.  Micro Cosmos marks the first track substantially based on electronics, which segues into the remarkable Beat (that bass squelch is almost like proto-acid, in 1978!).  The acoustic guitars on Fire made me think of Tangerine Dream circa Stratosfear.

The album's second half is more synth-centric, with highlights include the melodic Dawn Of The Astral (okay, maybe there is a slight Vangelis influence in this one), gently twinkling space-ambience of Endless Dreamy World, and the lengthy closer Astral Trip.  Not sure what its opening sound effects are meant to represent - someone stepping into a spaceship?  Anyway, this album is highly enjoyable trip into the cosmos.

Original LP cover, 1978 (image at top: 1985 Geffen reissue)

link

pw: sgtg