Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalos『Emergency (Selected from the Original Session Takes)』

The atmosphere of a live studio performance. Overwhelming sonic impact and ambience. A remarkable Japanese jazz-funk work that captures exceptional musicianship through a uniquely distinctive recording process.

Pushing audio fidelity to its absolute limits, this album was created using the ultimate recording method known as direct-to-disc recording, in which the audio signal is routed directly from the mixing console to the cutting amplifier and cutter head, engraving the lacquer master in real time without the use of any recording medium.

This project, Emergency (Selected from the Original Session Takes), takes those original session performances and, using modern DAW technology, carefully selects the finest moments from multiple takes and reconstructs them into a cohesive work.

Included is a fresh rendition of “YAMA-TO-MIZU,” the jazz-funk composition originally written by Hiromasa Suzuki for a Sansui audio demonstration record. Also featured is a mellow instrumental interpretation of The Stylistics’ “You’re as Right as Rain,” alongside “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” whose dynamic, non-limiter-recorded vocals capture every soulful nuance and breath of Harumi Oozora (TAN TAN) with striking immediacy.

The result is an album that combines the raw presence of direct-to-disc recording with the precision of modern editing, preserving performances of extraordinary energy, depth, and realism.

Text by Kenjiro Tsutsumi (223 Music Lab.)