Brasilian Skies
Brasilian Skies is the fourth studio album by Japanese musician, producer and composer Masayoshi Takanaka, released by Kitty Records on July 21, 1978. It was initially released on vinyl and cassette. The album features jazz fusion with bossa nova, samba, and progressive rock and soul.
Background
Masayoshi traveled to Brazil in 1978 to record part of the album at PolyGram's studios in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The remainder of the record was recorded at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, California.In 2018, Masayoshi held a 40th anniversary tour of the album's release in Japan with the theme of Brasilian Skies. The five-show concert tour commenced on September 22 at the Hitomi Memorial Hall in Tokyo and ended on October 28 in Osaka. A live album recording from his performance at the Tokyo Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on October 13 was released on May 22, 2019.
Track listing
All music is composed by Masayoshi Takanaka, except the song, "I Remember Clifford" by Benny Golson, and the song, "Star Wars Samba" by John Williams. All arrangements by Masayoshi Takanaka.Personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from liner notes- Masayoshi Takanaka – guitar, production, remixing
- Haruko Kuwana – backing vocals
- Ryuichi Sakamoto – keyboard, strings
- Abraham Laboriel – bass guitar
- Getao Takahashi – bass guitar
- Scott Edwards – bass guitar
- Barrozo Netto – bass guitar
- Sergio Portillo – bass guitar
- Daudeth De Azevedo – cavaquinho
- Maria Aparecida De Souza – backing vocals
- Maria Helena Violinn – backing vocals
- Maria Rita Kfouri – backing vocals
- James Gadson – drums
- Jeff Porcaro – drums
- Shi-chan Inque – drums
- Wilson das Neves – drums
- Motoya Hamaguchi – flute
- Marlo Henderson – guitar
- Keiko Yamakawa – harp
- Greg Phillinganes – keyboard
- Kiyosumi Ishikawa – keyboard
- Sergio Carvalho – keyboard
- Altamiro Coelho Rosa – percussion
- Antenor Marques Filho – percussion
- Elyeu Felico – percussion
- Hermes Coutesini – percussion
- Luna Do Pander – percussion
- Motoya Hamaguchi – percussion
- Milton Delfind Marcal – percussion
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion